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Home , Alum Creek State Park, Appalachia (landmass), Beaver Creek State Park, Birds in music, Carolina wren, Colinus

COMM0N OF c d g u i d e b o o k DIVISION OF WILDLIFE Introduction HOW TO USE THIS BOOK BIRDS of Ohio Name Quick Info: Range, , and Best Spots B o r r o r / O D O W B i r d S o n g s

Common Name Photo Knowing the sounds of our birds is Barn Hirundo rustica TRACK #37 RANGE: Like the , barn are Common statewide. very much associated with . This important to becoming a better birder, HABITAT: is aptly named; they typically build their Open countryside, nests on support beams in barns, or under especially agricultural areas. overhangs of sheds and other buildings. Barn Description BEST SPOTS: Allen Claybon swallows are unmistakable, with their very as many birds are quite secretive and Easily found in suitable areas throughout long forked tails and orangish underparts. Ohio; like other swallows, often queues : They are quite vocal, emitting a continuous up in large flocks in late summer. photo by hard to see, but their calls are easily barrage of rapid twittering notes. © Photo Credit heard. The birder with knowledge of Page 27 Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus

TRACK #38A RANGE: songs and calls will find more birds, in- Roughly the northern ¼ of This species is extremely similar to the Caro- Ohio, from Mansfield north. lina chickadee, but is easily differentiated with practice by their vocalizations. Black- HABITAT: cluding many that would otherwise go cappeds occur north of the Carolina’s range, Similar to the Carolina chickadee. David Van Meter and for the most part they don’t overlap.

BEST SPOTS: : The song of the black-capped chickadee is a Easily found in appropriate habitat; two-parted whistled fee-, and their chik-a- Killdeer Plains WA is a noteworthy site photo by undetected. In some cases the best way dee-dee calls are much huskier and slower in to observe chickadees, as both species © Track Number have been reported there. to confirm identification is by the song corresponses with tempo than the Carolina chickadee. accompaying audio CD or call. Finally, learning the sounds of Ohio’s songsters can greatly increase Best Spots: Abbreviations MP = Metropark (county) one’s enjoyment of the natural world. NP = National Park This CD contains 103 of Ohio’s most NWR = common breeding birds that are found SF = State Forest SNP = State Nature primarily in upland . Most of SP = State Park these sounds were recorded in Ohio, TNC = The Nature Conservancy and each species includes songs and WA = Wildlife Area calls that are most typically heard. Habitat can be a clue to a bird’s iden- tity, and many birders also use mne- monics – memory devices – to help learn and remember songs. Refer to the COMMON BIRDS of OHIO text in the booklet that accompanies TABLE OF CONTENTS this CD for helpful information regard- ing habitats and tips that might aid in 04 Birding Hot Spots 08 Species Accounts 61 Contact Information learning these sounds. 06 Groups & Organizations 60 Birding Fast Facts 62 Publication Funding SPECIES ACCOUNTS

8 Ring-necked 21 Eastern 34 47 Eastern Towhee 8 Ruffed 21 Great Crested Flycatcher 34 Gray 47 9 Wild 22 Eastern Kingbird 35 Northern 48 Field Sparrow 9 22 White-eyed 35 Brown 48 10 Red-tailed 23 Yellow-throated Vireo 36 Cedar 49 10 23 Blue-headed Vireo 36 Blue-winged 49 Sparrow 11 Killdeer 24 Red-eyed Vireo 37 Northern Parula 50 Henslow’s Sparrow 11 24 37 Yellow Warbler 50 12 Black-billed 25 Blue 38 Chestnut-sided Warbler 51 12 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 25 American Crow 38 Black-throated Green Warbler 51 Dark-eyed Junco 13 Eastern Screech- 26 Horned 39 Yellow-throated Warbler 52 Northern 13 26 Purple Martin 39 Warbler 52 Rose-breasted 14 27 40 53 14 27 Carolina Chickadee 40 53 15 Whip-poor-will 28 Black-capped Chickadee 41 Black-and-white Warbler 54 15 Chimney 28 41 54 Bobolink 16 Ruby-throated 29 White-breasted 42 55 Red-winged Blackbird 16 Red-headed 29 Carolina 42 Worm-eating Warbler 55 Eastern 17 Red-bellied Woodpecker 30 43 56 Common Grackle 17 Woodpecker 30 Sedge Wren 43 Waterthrush 56 Brown-headed 18 Hairy Woodpecker 31 44 Warbler 57 Orchard Oriole 18 31 Blue-gray 44 Common 57 19 Pileated Woodpecker 32 Eastern 45 Hooded Warbler 58 Purple 19 Eastern Wood- 32 Veery 45 Yellow-breasted 58 20 Acadian Flycatcher 33 Hermit 46 Summer 59

20 Flycatcher 33 46 ON THE COVER: OHIO BIRDING HOT SPOTS

Under each species account in this booklet is a section titled “Best Spots”. The general statewide location of these sites is shown on the adjacent map. See page 6 for a listing of contact information for various agencies and organizations to learn more. GLACIATED

ABBREVIATION KEY UNGLACIATED MP = Metropark NER = National Esturarie Reserve NP = National Park NWR = National Wildlife Refuge 4 SF = State Forest SNP = State Nature Preserve SP = State Park TNC = The Nature Conservancy WA = Wildlife Area

1 Lake La Su An WA 2 Goll Woods SNP OHIO BIRDING TRAILS 3 4 Openings MP Appalachian 5 Maumee Bay SP appalachiandiscovery.com 6 Ottawa NWR 7 Magee Marsh WA 8 Resthaven Wildlife Area Hocking Valley Birding Trai birdhocking.com 9 Mentor Headlands SNP 10 Cuyahoga Valley NP 11 Holden Arboretum Ohio Birding Trail

12 WA lakeerieohiobirding.info MAP COURTESY: ODNR DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 13 Hollow State Park 14 Tinkers’ Creek State Park OHIO LAKE ERIE BIRDING TRAIL 15 Mohican State Forest 16 17 Woodbury Wildlife Area 18 Egypt Valley Wildlife Area 19 The Wilds 20 Tri-Valley Wildlife Area 21 Hocking SF/SP (Conkle’s Hollow SNP) 22 Clear Creek MP 23 Wildlife Area 24 25 Zaleski SF/Lake Hope SP 26 Lake Katharine SNP 27 Crown City Wildlife Area 28 29 Edge of Appalachia TNC 30 Tranquility Wildlife Area 31 Indian Creek Wildlife Area 32 Miami-Whitewater MP 33 34 Paint Creek Wildlife Area 35 Spring Valley Wildlife Area 36 Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area 37 Findley State Park 38 Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area 39 Killbuck Wildlife Area 40 Big Island Wildlife Area 41 State Park 42 Blendon Woods MP 43 Hoover Reservoir 44 Green Lawn Cemetery 45 Deer Creek Wildlife Area 46 Davey Woods SNP 47 Lawrence Woods SNP LAKE ERIE O H i o BIRDING . i n F O 48 Mercer Wildlife Area BIRDING GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS

One of the best ways to get involved with birding is to join a group of like-minded people. Fortunately, Ohio has a number of active groups throughout the state that have many birders as members, and most of these organizations host field trips regularly. Listed below are the names and contact information for many of the state’s birding groups. GLACIATED UNGLACIATED

1 SOCIETY OF GREATER The Park Building • 140 Public Square Cleveland, OH 44114  216-861-5093 6 www.clevelandaudubon.org

2 AUDUBON SOCIETY OF OHIO 3398 West Galbraith Rd. • , OH 45239  513-741-7926 http://home.earthlink.net/~audsocohio/

3 AUDUBON SOCIETY/ P.O. Box 3214 • Youngstown, OH 44512 members.cboss.com/audubonmv/

4 AUDUBON MIAMI VALLEY P.O. Box 556 • Oxford, OH 45056 www.orgs.muohio.edu/audubonmiamivalley/

5 BLACKBROOK AUDUBON SOCIETY 7573 Dahlia Drive • Mentor, OH 44060  440-255-0961 www.blackbrookaudubon.org

MAP COURTESY: ODNR DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 6 BLACK RIVER AUDUBON SOCIETY 16 GREATER MOHICAN AUDUBON SOCIETY 304 West Ave • Elyria, OH 44035 P.O. Box 907 • Ashland, OH 44805 www.blackriveraudubon.org http://audubon.cjb.net/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Borror Laboratory of Bioacous- 7 BLACK SWAMP AUDUBON SOCIETY 17 KELLEYS ISLAND AUDUBON CLUB P.O. Box 7086 • Defiance, OH 43512 P.O. Box 42 • Kelleys Island, OH 43438 tics (BLB) is a research and service www.kelleysislandnature.com unit of the Department of , 8 BLACK SWAMP BIRD OBSERVATORY Ecology and Organismal Biology at P.O. Box 228 • Oak Harbor, OH 43449 18 KIRTLAND BIRD CLUB The Ohio State University. It is located www.kirtlandbirdclub.org  419-898-4070 in the OSU Museum of Biological Di- www.bsbobird.org 19 OHIO INITIATIVE versity. 9 CANTON AUDUBON SOCIETY www.obcinet.org/index.html The BLB houses one of the largest P.O. Box 9586 • Canton, OH 44711 collections of recorded sounds  20 OHIO BLUEBIRD SOCIETY 330-832-2491 in the world. Founded by the late Dr. PMB 111 • 343 West Milltown Rd. Wooster, OH 44691 Donald Borror, Professor of Entomol- 10 CINCINNATI BIRD CLUB www.obsbluebirds.com www.cincinnatibirds.com/birdclub ogy and Zoology at The Ohio State

University, the collection contains 21 OHIO ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY 11 COLUMBUS AUDUBON P.O. Box 14051 • Columbus, OH 43214 over 34,000 recordings of over 1500 P.O. Box 141350 • Columbus, OH 43214 www.ohiobirds.org species of .  740-549-0333 www.columbusaudubon.org 22 PRESIDENT R. B. HAYES AUDUBON SOCIETY P.O. Box 92 • Fremont, OH 43420 12 DAYTON AUDUBON SOCIETY 1375 East Siebenthaler Ave • Dayton, OH 45414 23 SHAWNEE NATURE CLUB  937-293-4876 4362 Swauger Valley Rd • Portsmouth, Ohio 45662 www.dayton.net/Audubon/  740-820-8382

13 EAST CENTRAL AUDUBON SOCIETY 24 TOLEDO NATURALISTS’ ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 55 • Granville, OH 43023 www.toledonaturalist.org

14 FIRELANDS AUDUBON SOCIETY 25 TRI-MORAINE AUDUBON SOCIETY P.O. Box 967 • Sandusky, OH 44870 P.O. Box 5648 • Lima, OH 45802

BORROR LABORATORY OF BIOACOUSTICS 15 GREAT AKRON AUDUBON SOCIETY 26 WESTERN CUYAHOGA AUDUBON SOCIETY The Ohio State University • 1315 Kinnear Road P.O. Box 80056 • Akron, OH 44308 4310 Bush Avenue • Cleveland, OH 44109 Columbus, OH 43212-1192  330-315-5213   614-292-2176 www.cs.uakron.edu/~pelz/gaas.html 216-741-2352 www.wcasohio.org http://blb.biosci.ohio-state.edu/

Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

TRACK #2 RANGE: This spectacular Eurasian species was intro- Statewide, with locally abundant populations in northwest and central Ohio. duced into Ohio in 1896, and is very popular with sportsmen. Look for them in open coun- Habitat: tryside that has a mosaic of brushy fields, Open country with a mosaic of , overgrown fence rows, open meadows, cornfields, and overgrown and rowcrop agriculture fence rows. The male makes a loud, unmis- Tim Daniel takable crowing unlikely to be confused with Best Spots: : Deer Creek WA, Big Island WA, any other bird. and Lake La Su An WA. photo by

© 8

Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus

TRACK #3 Range: These -like birds are forest inhabit- Southern and eastern Ohio, from Adams County north to Ashtabula County. , often congregating where brush piles or downed trees litter the understory. Grouse Habitat: occur in greatest numbers in young, regener- Forests, particularly in young, scruffy ating forests; especially those less than twen- clearcuts and brushy thickets. ty years old. The drumming of the males – Best Spots: which sounds a bit like an old lawn mower Most state forests, such as Shawnee, Tim Daniel being started – is made by the bird quickly Tar Hollow, and Zaleski; Waterloo WA. : rotating its wings, creating a vacuum that photo by

produces a loud booming sound. © Meleagris gallopavo

TRACK #4 Range: A true conservation success story, Wild tur- Throughout Ohio, but most common in the unglaciated areas of the south and east. keys had disappeared from Ohio by 1904. Re- introductions began in 1956, and today they Habitat: are again common throughout much of the A wide variety of forest; turkeys state. The “gobbling” of males is unmistak- often forage in fields near woodland borders. able, but birds also make a variety of clucks Best Spots: and other sounds. Watch for turkeys in fields Throughout the , Tim Daniel along woods, especially early in the morning. The Wilds, and Lake Katharine SNP. : photo by

© 9

Northern Bobwhite virginianus

TRACK #5 Range: Once a common bird throughout Ohio, bob- Distributed primarily in the southern fourth of Ohio. whites have declined significantly and are mostly found in limited areas in the southern Habitat: fourth of the state. The male’s characteristic Open country interspersed with brushy thickets, scattered trees, grasslands, song, a cheery, whistled Bob-white! – often de- reverting fields, and pastures. livered from high in a tree – is a perfect exam- ple of onomatopoeia, or a word that is closely Best Spots: Tim Daniel imitative of a sound. Crown City, Tranquility and Woodbury : wildlife areas are excellent places to look for Northern bobwhites. photo by

© Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis

TRACK #6 Range: This is probably the most common of Ohio’s Common throughout the state.

, and certainly the most conspicu- Habitat: ous. Red-tailed hawks are commonly seen All types of open landscapes, perched along freeways and roads, where woodlots, urban parks, and open forests. their white underparts cause them to stand Best Spots: out. Red-tails have adapted well to urban Easily found almost anywhere. Killdeer Plains situations, and are often seen in cities and WA is particularly good, and large migrations Tim Daniel towns. Their typical call is a loud descend- can occur along Lake Erie in March. : ing scream, which is sometimes mimicked by photo by

blue jays. © 10

American Kestrel Falco sparverius

TRACK #7 Range: Formerly known as the “sparrow hawk,” Common throughout the state.

the American kestrel is the smallest North Habitat: American . They are very adaptable A wide variety of open landscapes, and occur throughout Ohio, and are often urban parks, meadows; often seen hunting seen perched on roadside wires. Kestrels fre- along the margins of roadways. quently “wind hover,” fluttering in one spot Best Spots: high in the air when prey is sighted below. Easily found throughout the state; they Tim Daniel They also nest in cavities, and can be enticed are a sure thing along International Road : through The Wilds, where nest boxes to use appropriate nest boxes. Their call is a have been placed; Mercer WA photo by

loud, penetrating killy killy killy. © Killdeer vociferus

TRACK #8 Range: The scientific name of this includes Common throughout the state.

vociferus, and with good reason – killdeer are Habitat: very vocal, and their loud calls carry long All types of open areas, but killdeer are distances. If approached, they usually sound especially attracted to mudflats, large open the alarm, and their typical call is similar to grassy fields, and muddy pastures. their name, a clear, ringing Kill-deer, Kill-deer. Best Spots: Killdeer breed commonly statewide, and Easily found statewide, except in , Tim Daniel their nest scrapes are often made in gravel although some hardy birds will overwinter. : Commonly heard calling while flying drives and parking lots. overhead at night in migration. photo by

© 11

Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

TRACK #9 Range: Widespread and abundant, the mourning Abundant throughout Ohio. dove is the most commonly taken game bird Habitat: in by hunters. Because of their Very adaptable and occupies a wide range of generalized habitat and high reproductive habitats, and is frequent at backyard feeders. Peak numbers occur in open countryside rate, mourning doves are one of the most interspersed with rowcrop agriculture, abundant birds in Ohio, and nationwide pastures, and open woods. only the red-winged blackbird is thought to Best Spots: David VanMeter be more common. They are named for their Easily found statewide; large fall : plaintive, mournful oh-woo-woo-woo call. concentrations occur at Deer Creek,

Killdeer Plains, and Paint Creek wildlife areas. photo by

© Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus

TRACK #10a Range: Of our two , this species is less Found statewide in migration, but primarily restricted to the northern third of Ohio as common and often avoids detection. Black- a breeder, although scattered birds billed cuckoos also frequently call at night, breed further south. Gary Meszaros and they may be partly nocturnal in their : Habitat: habits. An interesting and little-known facet A woodland species, but favors younger photo by of cuckoo behavior involves nest parasit- forests and dense, scruffy thickets. © ism; they sometimes lay their in other Best Spots: bird’s nests, and the unwitting host raises Cuyahoga Valley NP, Resthaven WA, the young cuckoos. and Mohican SF. 12

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus

TRACK #10b Range: Often referred to as “rain crows” by old-tim- Fairly common to common ers, it was thought that yellow-billed cuckoos across the state. would deliver their peculiar vocalizations Habitat: soon before a . While there is no scien- All manner of woodlots, but especially tific validity to this claim, the cuckoo does in scruffy thickets, reverting clearcuts, orchards, and black locust groves have a very distinctive call that carries great in reclaimed strip mines. distances. Like many birds, they are more Robert Royse easily heard than seen, so knowing this call Best Spots: : Fairly easily found statewide; Crown City, makes finding a yellow-billed cuckoo to ob- Spring Valley, and Woodbury wildlife areas; photo by

serve a much easier task. Maumee SF; Quail Hollow SP. © Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops asio

TRACK #11 Range: This is the most common owl in Ohio, and Common in appropriate habitats statewide. is far more frequent than most people would Habitat: suspect. Eastern screech- even occur in All manner of wooded habitats, even suburban parks and neighborhoods, but they treed neighborhoods and other urban set- are at their peak in open woods and brushy tings. Their rich, eerily quavering whistle is areas near streams. Eastern screech-owls easily imitated, and these inquisitive little require cavities for nesting, and will nest in appropriate nest boxes. owls often quickly fly in to investigate a Michael Greene call. Eastern screech-owls occur in two color Best Spots: : morphs, red and gray, and very rarely an in- Often found along the Magee Marsh WA bird trail; found statewide in suitable habitat by photo by

termediate brown morph. venturing out at night and imitating their calls. © 13

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus

TRACK #12 Range: The largest of our owls, great horned owls are sur- Common throughout the state. prisingly versatile in their haunts, and can often Habitat: be found in big city parks and cemeteries. They Will use urban parks and treed neighborhoods, but typical habitat is fields, meadows, and will call throughout the year, but vocalizing steps open countryside interspersed with woodlots. up in early winter, and the birds will often be sit- ting on eggs by late winter. Great horned owls de- Best Spots: At dusk, watch for owls perched on utility line liver a classic owl-like call – a deep hoo-hoo-hoooo, towers and poles, and in late winter and early Tim Daniel with each phrase given four to six times. The male spring, they are often spotted sitting on old : hawks’ nests in trees, as great horned owls often and female often call back and forth across great take them over for nest sites. Killdeer Plains photo by

distances, the male gives a lower pitched hoot. WA, at night often results in “singing” owls. © Barred Owl Strix varia

TRACK #13 Range: Birders to use mnemonics – memory de- Fairly common throughout the state, more so in eastern Ohio. vices – to remember bird calls, and the barred owl call is a good example of an easy mne- Habitat: monic. Their typical call sounds just like Who Heavily wooded ravines and hollows, swampy woods. Sometimes occurs in wooded cooks for you, who cooks for you, all! Barred owls neighborhoods if ravines are present, such as are more habitat-specific than great horned in Columbus’ Clintonville area. and Eastern screech-owls, preferring heav-

Best Spots: Tim Daniel : ily wooded ravines and wet woods. They are Ravines around the northern end of Alum easily attracted to imitations of their calls and Creek SP, Shawnee SF, Beaver Creek SP. photo by

will fly right in to investigate. © 14

Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor

TRACK #14 Range: Sometimes called “bullbats” due to their erratic Statewide. flight style, reminiscent of bats, common night- Habitat: hawks course about high above the ground catch- Nests primarily on gravel rooftops, thus cities and towns are the best place to observe com- ing on the wing. While doing so, they mon nighthawks. They are most conspicuous at frequently give their “song,” a nasal peent which dusk as they fly high overhead, and males can sounds somewhat like the call of the American be seen making fast, steep dives as part of their courtship display, during which they produce a woodcock. Nighthawks nest primarily on gravel loud booming sound with their wings.

rooftops, placing the eggs directly on the rocks. Tim Daniel : Modernization of roofs has decreased the avail- Best Spots: Cities and towns; sometimes spectacular flights ability of suitable nest sites, and common night- are observed during fall migration in late Au- photo by

hawks seem to be declining. gust/early September. © Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus

TRACK #15 Range: Few birds sing as incessantly as these odd noc- Declining; now found mostly in southern and eastern Ohio, with a significant population turnal “.” A whip-poor-will at fever in the Oak Openings near Toledo. pitch might produce 59 songs a minute, and they have been known to sing a thousand renditions Habitat: Open deciduous woods, occasionally utilizes non-stop. Their loud song carries long distances, pine plantations, forages on the wing over and is simple to learn; they say their name. While open fields and brushy areas. strictly nocturnal and hard to observe, every now Gary Meszaros

Best Spots: : and then, particularly in migration, one comes Oak Openings MP, Zaleski SF, across a “whip” perched perpendicularly on a Indian Creek WA. photo by

branch, looking like a piece of wood themselves. © 15

Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica

TRACK #16 Range: The “flying cigar” as these extraordinary aeri- Common statewide.

alists are sometimes called, doesn’t sing and Habitat: has a limited repertoire. Rather, they give a Feeds exclusively in flight, capturing insects. fairly steady stream of rapid, staccato chips Skies over cities and towns are best, but in migration, on cold days, swifts are often while in flight – chitter-chitter-chitter – occa- seen insects low over water. sionally interspersed with quick series of chip notes. Chimney swifts spend the vast major- Best Spots: Dominic Sherony

Over urban areas; favored : ity of time on the wing, and form large roost- roosting sites in larger cities ing colonies in favored chimneys. sometimes draw crowds. photo by

© Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris

TRACK #17 Range: Becoming familiar with the high-pitched Common statewide.

squeaky vocalizations of these tiny birds al- Habitat: lows for detection of many more than would Very versatile; everywhere from mature otherwise be noticed. They often flash by so forests to gardens in yards. They are especially attracted to sites with numerous flowering quickly that all that is heard are the calls, and plants, which are mined for . the characteristic buzzing sound created by their wings. Ruby-throated Best Spots: Bill Heban

Often, your backyard. Placing suitable feeders : can produce up to 80 wing beats per second. frequently lures these sprites, even in very They are easily lured to gardens and yards by urban settings. Some lucky people have had photo by

over 100 birds using their feeders, at one time!

hummingbird feeders and favored flowers. © 16

Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus

TRACK #18 Range: An extraordinary looking bird, the adult red- Somewhat scattered and local, and primarily in glaciated northern and western Ohio. Can be headed woodpecker is what inspired legend- common in larger woodlots of western Ohio. ary ornithologist Alexander Wilson to take up the study of birds. This woodpecker favors Habitat: As red-headed eat plenty of open woodlands and savannas, especially mast in winter, they prefer open woods with those that have plenty of , as they are oaks and hickories. fond of acorns. Typical calls are loud, rough Al Freeman kweer or kwrrr notes, but they give a variety Best Spots: : Killdeer Plains WA, on roadside telephone of chattering calls, especially when in family poles; Goll Woods SNP; Killbuck and Funk photo by Bottoms wildlife areas; Lawrence Woods SNP.

units, which remain together into winter. © Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus

TRACK #19 Range: This big, extroverted and conspicuous wood- Common statewide.

pecker is easily lured to backyard feeders, Habitat: and its loud rolling churr calls are heard A forest dweller, but will occupy fairly throughout Ohio woodlands. The common small woodlots, and makes forays into open countryside. Common in urban areas with name is not very appropriate; the faint blush large trees; frequent feeder visitor. of reddish pigment on the belly is barely vis- ible. After the downy woodpecker and possi- Best Spots: Robert Royse

Easily found in woods statewide; county : bly the Northern flicker, this is the most com- parks, such as Blendon Woods MP in mon Ohio woodpecker. Columbus, that have feeders are good places photo by

to observe red-bellied woodpeckers. © 17

Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens

TRACK #20a Range: The most common Ohio woodpecker and Very common statewide. also the smallest, the downy woodpecker Habitat: is found in all manner of habitats, and is a The most versatile of our woodpeckers, frequent visitor to yards and feeders. They found in all manner of wooded areas. sound – and look – similar to the larger hairy Often ventures into fields, where they bore into goldenrod galls. woodpecker, but the downy’s calls are eas- ily separated with practice. All woodpeckers Best Spots: Bill Heban drum, the distinctive rapid beats produced Just about anywhere; : by pounding on wood – but the various spe- easily lured to backyard feeders. photo by

cies can’t be reliably told apart by drumming. © Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus

TRACK #20b Range: Resembling a jumbo downy woodpecker, the Fairly common to common in appropriate habitat statewide. hairy is best told by its larger size, propor- tionately much bigger bill, and unspotted Habitat: outer tail . Hairy woodpeckers are This species is much less tolerant of forest fragmentation than the downy not nearly so frequent, and are outnumbered woodpecker, and is generally confined by downys by ten to one. The hairy has a to larger, older woodlands. much louder, more explosive call, and fre-

Best Spots: Gary Meszaros : quently gives a drawn out rattling call some- Any of Ohio’s twenty state forests; what reminiscent of a belted . Hueston Woods SP, Cuyahoga Valley NP, photo by

and Davey Woods SNP. © 18

Northern Flicker auratus

TRACK #21 Range: The highly migratory Northern flicker is Statewide; more common in migration, particularly in spring. found in Ohio year-round, but numbers swell during spring and fall migration. They Habitat: are often observed on the ground, as ants Prefers open country and scattered woodlots are a huge part of their diet. Flickers give a more than our other woodpeckers; often seen on the ground hunting ants. wide variety of calls, but the typical song is a loud, laugh-like wicka-wicka-wicka. Males are Best Spots: Tim Daniel also prone to loud drumming as part of their Easily found in most areas of Ohio; big : migrations can be observed in the vicinity courtship, and sometimes use metal down- of Magee Marsh WA in April and May. photo by

spouts of homes to create a barrage of sound. © Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus

TRACK #22 Range: By far our largest woodpecker, this crow-sized Slowly expanding northward; found statewide but least common bird is surprisingly secretive. A dweller of larger in western and northwestern Ohio. forests and woodlots, most pileated woodpeck- ers will be detected by their very loud, maniacal- Habitat: A denizen of large, mature forests; a pair needs sounding calls, which carry long distances. The about 100 acres of woods for their territory. presence of these massive woodpeckers is often obvious by their drillings; cavities are large and Best Spots: Sharon Hosko

Large forests of unglaciated Ohio; scattered : oval in shape, and in areas where they have bored elsewhere. Any of the 20 state forests, into trees for food, the residual wood chips are Lake Katharine SNP; Cuyahoga Valley NP. photo by

much larger than those left by other woodpeckers. © 19

Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens

TRACK #23 Range: An abundant but non-descript flycatcher, Common statewide, wherever suitable habitat occurs. pewees are found in most woodlands and will even occupy wooded parks and river Habitat: corridors in urban areas. This bird’s song, All types of woodlands, but prefers some larger trees and a somewhat open understory. like the bobwhite quail, is another example of Sometimes even occupies urban parks if onomatopoeia, a word whose pronunciation tree cover is adequate. is imitative of a sound. Eastern wood-pewees Robert Royse

Best Spots: : say their name, pee-ah-wee, so identifying this Any good-sized woodlot , such as species is much easier by song than by sight. Lawrence Woods SNP, or forest statewide photo by

should harbor pewees. © Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens

TRACK #24 Range: This small, greenish flycatcher occupies Common statewide in areas of suitable habitat.

streamside woodlands almost exclusively, Habitat: and as is sometimes the case with birds, Occurs in greatest numbers in mature riparian habitat preference can be a clue used in iden- woodlands, but will use swampy woods and tification. While Acadian flycatchers greatly sometimes other types of mature forest.

resemble several other species of flycatch- Best Spots: ers, their song is very distinctive and easily Mohican SF, Clear Creek MP, Robert Royse clinches the identification. Acadians deliver a Goll Woods, Davey Woods SNP, : loud, explosive Peet-sa!, sometimes described and Grand River WA. photo by

as “pizza!” © 20

Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii

TRACK #25 Range: This species is a perfect example of how help- Fairly common to common statewide.

ful recognition of songs can be as an identi- Habitat: fication aid. Willow flycatchers are part of a All types of shrublands, even in fairly group of five small Ohio flycatchers that all dry fields, but prefers moist areas dominated by willow thickets. look very similar, but have quite different vocalizations. , which occur in over- Best Spots: grown shrubby areas and willow thickets, Moist successional habitats in reclaimed Robert Royse

strip mines, such as Crown City and : deliver a loud, somewhat nasal fitz-bew! Its Woodbury wildlife areas; Ottawa NWR, song and habitat are similar only to the much Lake La Su An WA,Tinker’s Creek SP. photo by

scarcer alder flycatcher. © Sayornis phoebe

TRACK #26 Range: One of the easiest of all songs to learn, phoe- Statewide, but least common in heavily agricultural western Ohio. bes say their name, a robust, emphatic Fee- bee! This is also our hardiest flycatcher, arriv- Habitat: ing very early in spring, and a few will even Open woodlands, clearings, forest edges; overwinter in mild years. Eastern phoebes most often found near water.

are intimately associated with people and Best Spots: their structures, as they build their nests un- Easily found in Hocking Hills SP and Robert Royse der bridges, on building ledges, and in cul- that region; a pair has nested for decades : on the Howald mausoleum by the verts. Some birds can still be found nesting pond in Green Lawn Cemetery. photo by

on cliff faces in the Hocking Hills region. © 21

Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus

TRACK #27 Range: This is our largest flycatcher, and the only Statewide.

one that nests in cavities. Great crested fly- Habitat: catchers are fairly common where suitable All types of deciduous forests, but requires Robert Royse habitat occurs, but usually lurk high in the some large trees, and prefers forest openings : tree canopy, and are easily missed. Until they or edges; even found in wooded parks and occasionally in heavily treed neighborhoods. photo by

call, that is; their typical call is a very loud, © whistled wheeep and a raucous rattling call Best Spots: that carries a considerable distance. These Fairly easy to find in any large woods; TNC Edge of Appalachia preserve, interesting birds can sometimes be enticed to all state forests, Findley SP, Waterloo WA. use appropriate nest boxes. Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus

TRACK #28 Range: Well named, kingbirds are highly territorial Statewide.

and aggressive, and are often seen badger- Habitat: ing crows, raptors, and any other large bird All types of open country-rural fields with that overflies their domain. They possess a scattered woodlots, tree lines, and power lines; parks; larger openings and clearcuts sleek, suave look, with crisp blackish upper- in forested areas. parts, clean white underparts, and a tail that looks like it was dipped in white paint. East- Best Spots: Robert Royse

Most state wildlife areas support this species, : ern kingbirds do not have much of a voice, Indian Creek, Mercer, and Crown City wildlife though; they give an un-birdlike rapid, elec- areas, Oak Openings MP, Miami-Whitewater photo by

MP, Holden Arboretum.

tric chattering, kit-kit-kit-kitter-kitter. © 22

White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus

TRACK #29 Range: The white-eyed vireo is a real skulker, lurk- Statewide. ing in dense, impenetrable thickets, and get- Habitat: ting a good look at one can be quite difficult. Shrubby thickets in overgrown fields, However, like most , they are chronic reclaimed strip mines, and woodland singers and easily heard. Their forceful, rap- clearings; young clearcuts.

idly delivered song carries some distance, Best Spots: and typical renditions sound very much like Crown City, Egypt Valley, Tri-Valley, Robert Royse pick-up-the-beer, check! The only other vireo and Woodbury wildlife areas. : likely to share this habitat is the rare Bell’s photo by

vireo, which sounds very different. © Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons

TRACK #30 Range: Several species of vireos can sound con- Statewide.

fusingly similar, and this is one of them. Habitat: Red-eyed, yellow-throated, blue-headed, Woodlands, but favors relatively open woods and vireos all sing somewhat with a fairly open understory, and many oaks. similar short phrases interspersed with brief Best Spots: pauses. Yellow-throateds, however, have a Probably nests in every county and very rough, burry quality to their voice, and usually easy to find in suitable habitat. Robert Royse once you are familiar with this tone, the spe- : cies is easily separated from the others. photo by

© 23

Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius

TRACK #31a Range: Known as the “solitary vireo” until 1997, Common migrant statewide; rare breeder in hemlock ravines. blue-headed vireos are common migrants, and one of the first migratory to Habitat: return in spring, often by mid-March. As a Occurs in a wide variety of woodlands as a migrant; breeders are intimately breeder, they are rare and local, being con- linked to hemlock trees. fined to larger hemlock ravines, such as those that are found in Hocking County. Their Best Spots: Robert Royse song is similar to the red-eyed vireo, but has Places like Green Lawn Cemetery and : Magee Marsh WA are excellent in migration; a slower tempo and shorter phrases, with a breeders can be found at Mohican SF photo by sweeter quality. and Conkle’s Hollow SNP. © Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus

TRACK #31b Range: One of the most common birds breeding in Common statewide

our deciduous forests, the song of the red- Habitat: eyed vireo is a very common sound of the Deciduous woodlands, even parks and summer woodlands. Mastering this song will suburban areas with plenty of large trees. make recognition of the other, similar-sound- Best Spots: Robert Royse ing vireos much easier. Red-eyed vireos are Easily found wherever there are : chronic singers, often singing 40 phrases a woods of almost any size. minute for hours on end. Their song is a se- photo by

ries of robin-like phrases interspersed with © pauses – see-me, here-I-am, way-up, tree-tops! 24

Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus

TRACK #32 Range: Many species of birds are intimately associ- Common statewide.

ated with certain plants, and in the case of the Habitat: warbling vireo, it is the Eastern cottonwood Normally found in or around cottonwoods, tree. This vireo sings incessantly from high in thus usually found along streams and lake margins, but sometimes parks and the treetops, and is a good example of why cemeteries if big trees are present. knowing songs is useful. Getting a look at Gary Meszaros : this nondescript vireo is not easy, but hear- Best Spots: ing one certainly is. Even when a birder has Easily found in suitable habitat statewide;

can’t miss in the large cottonwoods photo by

triangulated on the easily learned song, spot- around the parking lot by the © ting the sluggish vireo still can be tough. Magee Marsh WA bird trail. Cyanocitta cristata

TRACK #33 Range: The loud screams of the jay are well known Statewide.

to about anyone who feeds birds, or walks in Habitat: the woods. Blue jays are an effective alarm Although able to exploit many habitats, system, alerting all of the other animals with- even surburbia and parks, blue jays are typically associated with woods that have in earshot of the presence of intruders. They mast-bearing trees such as oaks and hickories. can be skilled mimics, often expertly imitat- ing the call of the red-shouldered hawk, in Best Spots: David Tarr

Easily found statewide; spectacular migratory : particular. Although a common winter resi- flocks queue up along Lake Erie in May, dent, jays are highly migratory, and we get and perhaps the best place to observe photo by

this phenomenon is Magee Marsh WA.

many more in spring and fall. © 25

American Crow brachyrhynchos

TRACK #34 Range: Even most non-birders know this one; the Statewide.

loud raucous caw-caw call of a crow is unmis- Habitat: takable. This is one of Ohio’s most common Opportunistic and able to exploit a variety birds, and in recent years has adapted well to of habitats, but probably does best in rural urban life, and crows are now a common part country with a mosaic of agricultural fields, meadows, and scattered woodlots. of the suburban landscape. American crows sometimes form large winter roosts, and ex- Best Spots: Al Freeman ceptional roosts can number into the tens of Easily found anywhere; large winter : roosts often form in Columbus, thousands. Mansfield, and Springfield. photo by

© Eremophila alpestris

TRACK #35 Range: Few birds occupy a bleaker habitat than Statewide, but most common in agricultural areas of western and northern Ohio. horned . This species prefers wide-open barren landscapes, and is at home in vast ag- Habitat: Large barren fields, mudflats, and sparsely ricultural fields with little vegetation. The up- vegetated fields and meadows. per parts of horned larks are muted brownish earth tones, and they blend remarkably well Best Spots:

Stopping along large barren croplands and Robert Royse with the soil. Their musical tinkling calls,

listening for their distinctive calls is the best : which carry considerable distances, give way to find larks. They often gather along them away and allow an observer to locate roadsides when snow covers the fields. Big photo by

Island, Killdeer Plains, and Mercer wildlife these birds. areas are good places to look. © 26

Purple Martin Progne subis

TRACK #36 Range: Few birds are as intimately associated with Statewide, wherever people have erected nest boxes that martins deem acceptable. Can occur people as the purple martin. Historically, anywhere, especially near water, in migration. they would have nested in large tree hollows, but humans have been enticing them to nest Habitat: close at hand since early Native Americans Large, open areas, particularly those with water bodies nearby. began placing hollowed out gourds near their villages. Today, martins are entirely depen- Best Spots: Gary Yankech dent upon man-made nest boxes for breeding Best observed near nesting sites; : plentiful around the visitor’s center sites. Their pleasant, liquid gurgling notes are at Magee Marsh WA. photo by

distinctive. © Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

TRACK #37 Range: Like the purple martin, barn swallows are Common statewide.

very much associated with humans. This Habitat: bird is aptly named; they typically build their Open countryside, nests on support beams in barns, or under especially agricultural areas. overhangs of sheds and other buildings. Barn Best Spots: Allen Claybon swallows are unmistakable, with their very Easily found in suitable areas throughout long forked tails and orangish underparts. Ohio; like other swallows, often queues : They are quite vocal, emitting a continuous up in large flocks in late summer. photo by

barrage of rapid twittering notes. © 27

Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis

TRACK #38A Range: Much confusion surrounds Ohio chickadees, Southern, from the north to about the latitude of Mansfield. as we have two species and they look very similar. The Carolina chickadee is the south- Habitat: erner, occurring south of the black-capped A wide variety of woodlands; often chickadee’s range. Calls are the best way to ventures into urban yards and parks, and is easily attracted to feeders. separate them; the Carolina’s song is a four- ©Robert Royse parted whistle, fee-bee, fee-bay, and their calls Best Spots: : – chik-a-dee-dee-dee – are faster and not nearly Easily found through its range; best observed at feeding stations. photo by

so husky in tone. © Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus

TRACK #38B Range: This species is extremely similar to the Caro- Roughly the northern ¼ of Ohio, from Mansfield north. lina chickadee, but is easily differentiated with practice by their vocalizations. Black- Habitat: cappeds occur north of the Carolina’s range, Similar to the Carolina chickadee. David VanMeter and for the most part they don’t overlap.

Best Spots: : The song of the black-capped chickadee is a Easily found in appropriate habitat; two-parted whistled fee-bee, and their chik-a- Killdeer Plains WA is a noteworthy site photo by

dee-dee calls are much huskier and slower in to observe chickadees, as both species © tempo than the Carolina chickadee. have been reported there. 28

Tufted Titmouse bicolor

TRACK #39 Range: The small, dove-gray titmouse is simple to Common statewide.

recognize, in part because it is one of very Habitat: few Ohio birds with a prominent . This Forests, woodlots, parks and species is a very common woodland inhab- neighborhoods with ample tree cover. itant, and often fraternizes with chickadees, Best Spots: woodpeckers, and . Tufted titmice Easily found throughout the state. vocalize year-round, and their loud, whistled Titmice are attracted to feeders, and these Bill Heban peter-peter-peter song is a characteristic sound are the best sites to observe their antics. : of Ohio forests. photo by

© White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis

TRACK #40 Range: This interesting tree-gleaner is very distinc- Statewide.

tive in its foraging behavior. Nuthatches Habitat: are distinguished by their habit of creeping All manner of woodlands; even parks and headfirst down tree trunks, unlike wood- neighborhoods with plenty of trees. peckers and brown creepers, which travel Best Spots: upward. White-breasted nuthatches have Easily found in appropriate habitat; very distinctive nasal calls, but be mindful of common feeder visitor. David VanMeter red-breasted nuthatches, which are primar- : ily winter visitors. Their calls are similar, but photo by

faster and higher pitched. © 29

Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus

TRACK #41 Range: This species is a year-round resident, and Common statewide, but more frequent southward. their loud, ringing song, which sounds like teakettle, teakettle, teakettle, can even be heard Habitat: during winter months. Carolina are All manner of woodlands, but prefers edges southerners that expanded north into Ohio and scruffy thickets; often resides in well- vegetated parks and suburban areas. following the clearing of the original forests that blanketed the state. They are vulnerable Best Spots: Robert Royse to severe winters, such as in 1977-78, which Almost any state park, : decimated their populations. wildlife area, or state forest. photo by

© House Wren Troglodytes aedon

TRACK #42 Range: A well named species, the house wren is most Common statewide.

often found in proximity to dwellings, and Habitat: will readily use appropriate nest boxes, as A variety of open areas interspersed with they are cavity dwellers. House wrens win- thickets, shrubs, and scattered trees; ter in , return in mid-April, woodland openings and edges.

and throughout the summer the male’s loud, Best Spots: bubbling warble is a common sound of sub- Easy to find; neighborhoods, parks, Gary Meszaros urbia. When alarmed, wrens readily deliver open woodlands, cemeteries. : their harsh, rattling scold notes. photo by

© 30

Sedge Wren platensis

TRACK #43 Range: Generally a rarity, sedge wrens are notori- Most are detected in the western and northwestern part of Ohio. ously erratic in their movements and where they appear from year to year. Sometimes Habitat: they don’t appear on territory until July or Large sedge meadows, and damp August, and they often utilize nest sites for grassy fields; sometimes hayfields.

only one year. They are best detected by song, Best Spots: as sedge wrens prefer dense stands of grasses Western Lake Erie marshes such as Robert Royse or sedges, and stay hidden in the vegetation. Magee Marsh WA; Killdeer Plains : Their songs somewhat resemble the dry, stac- and Big Island wildlife areas. photo by

cato chatter of an old sewing machine. © Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris

TRACK #44 Range: The liquid gurgling notes of marsh wrens Most likely in the northern half of Ohio, but might occur wherever have a mechanical quality, and give away large wetlands are found. this small bird’s presence in the cattails. This a well named species; marsh wrens are strict Habitat: wetland inhabitants, and prefer larger marsh- Mixed-emergent marshes, Robert Royse

prefers dense cattail stands. : es. As about 90% of Ohio wetlands have been lost since European settlement, marsh wrens Best Spots: photo by Western Lake Erie marshes such as have declined as well. Marsh wrens often oc- © Magee Marsh WA; Spring Valley cur in loose colonies, and frequently sing at and Killbuck wildlife areas. night. 31

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea

TRACK #45 Range: The tiny gnatcatcher returns from its tropi- Common in suitable habitat statewide. cal wintering grounds in late March, before Habitat: trees are leafed out, and early spring is the All types of deciduous woods, but requires best time to observe them. They deliver high- some large trees; often found in well treed pitched, fussy-sounding notes more or less parks and neighborhoods. Robert Royse : continuously, and these sounds are often Best Spots: what alert observers to their presence high in Woodlands such as Davey Woods and photo by the tree tops. are quite inquisi- Lawrence Woods state nature preserves; © tive, and can often be lured in by making generally easy to find state wide. squeaky scolding sounds. Sialia sialis

TRACK #46 Range: One of our most celebrated birds, bluebird Common statewide; many overwinter.

fanciers have erected thousands of nest boxes Habitat: throughout Ohio which have helped to great- All types of open country: farm land, ly expand populations of this attractive spe- golf courses, meadows and pastures. cies. are a of thrush, closely Best Spots: Robert Royse related to the American robin, and males de- Most easily found where nest boxes

liver a soft, pleasing warbling song. In flight, have been erected, such as in many : bluebirds often emit a whistled tu-wee call, county parks. and knowing that sound will lead to detec- photo by

tion of birds flying overhead. © 32

Veery Catharus fuscescens

TRACK #47 Range: A secretive woodland thrush, the common Common migrant statewide; nesters most likely in northern Ohio. name is imitative of its call – a surprisingly loud, whistled veeeer! Many thrushes have Habitat: some of the most beautiful songs in the bird Migrants use all types of wooded areas; breeders prefer lush, swampy woods.

world, and veerys are no exception. They are Gary Meszaros : common migrants throughout Ohio, but are Best Spots: much more local as breeders. Most nesting Migration hot spots like Green Lawn photo by

veerys are found in the northern half of the Cemetery and Mentor Headlands SNP; © Clear Creek MP and Mohican SF state, becoming most numerous in the north- are good places to find breeders. eastern quarter. Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus

TRACK #48 Range: Possessing one of the most hauntingly beau- Statewide in migration; breeders confined to hemlock gorges. tiful voices of any bird, the hermit thrush is a common migrant. As a nester, it is quite rare, Habitat: and is one of a suite of birds that breed almost All types of woods in migration; nesters require cool, steep-sided valleys exclusively in hemlock gorges. This group dominated by hemlock trees. includes the blue-headed vireo and black- throated green warbler. Hermit thrushes are Best Spots: Robert Royse

Can be found nearly anywhere in migration; : surprisingly hardy, and often overwinter in visiting the beautiful hemlock ravines of Ohio, particularly in the southern third of the the Hocking Hills or Mohican SF is a good photo by

way to find – and hear – nesters.

state. © 33

Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina

TRACK #49 Range: A familiar sound of Ohio woodlands, the Statewide. wood thrush song is a melodious, flute-like Habitat: cascade of ethereal notes. If it sounds like the Deciduous woodlands with a shrub singer is harmonizing with itself, it’s because understory; prefers older, undisturbed forests. it is. This species has a divided (vo- Best Spots: cal tube) that allows it to create two separate Davey Woods SNP, Shawnee SF, and Tim Daniel notes simultaneously. Wood thrushes win- Waterloo WA have many; can be found : ter in the Central American tropics, and are in suitable woodlands statewide.

thought to be declining. photo by

© American Robin Turdus migratorius

TRACK #50 Range: One of the most obvious sounds of the out- Abundant statewide.

doors is the song of the ubiquitous American Habitat: robin. One of Ohio’s most abundant breed- Generalists, and can be ing birds, the males are persistent singers and seen in most habitat types. can be heard almost anywhere. In spring and Best Spots: summer, there are so many singing robins in Almost anywhere that is out-of-doors. Tim Daniel the earliest hours of morning that this cas- : cade of sound has often been dubbed, “the photo by

chorus.” © 34

Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis

TRACK #51 Range: This interesting species is one of three mim- Statewide.

ics in Ohio – birds that routinely imitate other Habitat: sounds. The is the least accom- Shrublands, brushy thickets, forest edges, plished imitator of the three, but is the most and other successional habitats. common. For the most part, deliver Best Spots: David Tarr a rapid, squeaky gurgling punctuated occa- Abundant at Magee Marsh WA and easily : sionally with their namesake call, a meow that found on almost every wildlife area.

sounds surprisingly -like. Catbirds are the photo by

least hardy of the three mimics, but occasion- © ally one attempts to overwinter. Mimus polyglottos

TRACK #52 Range: Of our three mimics, the mockingbird is an Statewide, but increasingly rare to the north.

imitator extraordinaire. They are capable of Habitat: retaining and reproducing up to 200 differ- Often found in suburbia, prefers open areas ent sounds, and the subjects that they mimic interspersed with shrubs and thickets. can be quite diverse. In addition to offering Best Spots: up amazingly accurate reproductions of all Often found in the local neighborhood, types of birds, will even imi- easily found in suitable habitat in Snyder tate truck backup beeps, sirens, and people’s central and southern Ohio. : whistles. Mockingbirds often sing at night; photo by

these birds are typically unmated males. © 35

Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum

TRACK #53 Range: This is the least common of Ohio’s mimics, Statewide, but more common to the south.

and is not particularly tolerant of urban situ- Habitat: ations, preferring wide open country. Thrash- Dry, overgrown pastures, fields and thickets; ers like dry, brushy fields and thickets with young, open woodlots. scattered fence rows and woodlots. They are Best Spots: accomplished imitators, but don’t seem as Reclaimed strip mines such as Crown City, prone to mimicking other sounds to the ex- Egypt Valley, and Woodbury wildlife areas; Tim Daniel tent that mockingbirds do. Brown a few birds overwinter in southern Ohio. : typically sing their phrases in pairs – a useful photo by identification tip. © Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

TRACK #54 Range: This species might be thought of as the “hear- Statewide.

ing test bird”; ’ calls are so high- Habitat: pitched that people with high frequency hear- Very nomadic, flocks can turn up anywhere, ing loss can’t hear them. They emit soft, quiet but are especially attracted to ; whistled tsee-tsee-tsee sounds, and knowing breeders prefer riparian woodlands.

this call will produce many more waxwings, Best Spots: as traveling flocks constantly vocalize as they Easily found along rivers in streams in Bill Heban pass overhead. Cedar waxwings are big summer; seek ornamental -producing : consumers, and nomadic flocks often visit or- trees and shrubs in fall and winter. photo by

namental berry trees. © 36

Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanoptera

TRACK #55 Range: This brilliant yellow bird has one of the Statewide, but least common in heavily agricultural western Ohio. easiest of the warbler songs to learn; a very buzzy, distinctive beee-buzzzz! that is fairly Habitat: unmistakable. The only real source of confu- Brushy successional fields, thickets, sion would be with the much rarer golden- woodland edges and openings.

winged warbler, which normally delivers a Tim Daniel Best Spots: : four-parted song. However, these species of- Reclaimed strip mines, particularly ten hybridize, and suspicious sounding blue- Crown City WA; Clear Creek MP. photo by

winged songs should be tracked down to see © who the singer is. Northern Parula americana

TRACK #56 Range: This is our smallest warbler, and often dif- Most common in the southern ¼ of Ohio, but migrants are fairly ficult to see, as these hyperactive sprites are common statewide. often reluctant to leave the highest tree tops. Their song is easy to learn, though, and fairly Habitat: unmistakable. Parulas deliver a loud, ascend- Peak numbers occur in hemlock

gorges, but also nests in mature Robert Royse : ing buzzy trill that ends with an abrupt zap! streamside forests of other types. This southerner seems to be slowly expand- photo by Best Spots:

ing northward as a breeder, but migrants can © Shawnee and Zaleski state forests; be found statewide. Clear Creek MP. 37

Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia

TRACK #57 Range: The yellow warbler’s song could best be de- Statewide.

scribed as cheery; a loud, fast sweet-sweet-I’m- Habitat: so-sweet! It is a common sound, too, as this prefers willow-dominated thickets, but bird is a very common breeder throughout found in all manner of scrubby habitat. Ohio. Although the song can be quite vari- Best Spots: able, the distinctive tone remains the same, Absolutely abundant around the and it can usually be easily recognized. Be- western Lake Erie marshes. Allen Claybon ware of chestnut-sided , which can : sometimes sound extremely similar. photo by

© Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga pensylvanica

TRACK #58 Range: This northerner has become much more com- Common statewide in migration; breeding birds are most often found mon since the original eastern forests were in the northern third of the state. opened up, which created an abundance of the scruffy brushlands and edge habitats Habitat: that chestnut-sided warblers require. Their Young woods, woodland edges, brushy fields and thickets. Robert Royse typical song is not too hard to recognize – a : clear, ringing please, please, pleased to Meetcha! Best Spots: Easily found almost anywhere in migration. photo by

The emphatic upslurred ending note helps in recognition, but sometimes this species can © sound very similar to the yellow warbler. 38

Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens

TRACK #59 Range: One of the first warblers to return in spring, Statewide in migration; hemlock gorges in summer. the distinctive buzzy zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee of the black-throated green warbler rings out from Habitat: our woodlands beginning in early April. This Migrants frequent all types of woodlands, is a common migrant, but is much rarer as but breeders require cool, steep-sided gorges that are dominated by hemlock trees. a nester. Breeding black-throated greens re- quire large hemlock gorges; not a common Best Spots: Bill Heban Ohio habitat. This is one of the easiest war- Anywhere in migration; Mohican SF : bler songs to recognize, and even beginners and Clear Creek MP in summer. photo by

quickly learn this one. © Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica

TRACKS #60 Range: Many birds are intimately associated with Statewide, but rare in the northern ¼ of state. certain plants, and this species is an excellent Habitat: example. In fact, the yellow-throated warbler Breeds almost strictly along streams was formerly known as the “sycamore war- where large sycamores occur. Occasionally bler” because of its intimate relationship with utilizes upland stands of native that tree. Yellow-throated warblers return in in southern Ohio. early April, one of the earliest warblers to re-

Best Spots: Robert Royse turn. Their sweet song is a descending series : Very common along streams in Shawnee and of slurred whistles, normally delivered from Zaleski SFs and Waterloo WA; found along photo by

high in the tree tops. most rivers from central Ohio southward. © 39

Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus

TRACK #61 Range: Few birds are better named than this one. Migrants can be found statewide; breeders largely confined to unglaciated Breeding pine warblers are found southeastern Ohio, with some in around pine trees, and even migrants will Mohican SF and the Oak Openings. forage in if they are available. This species gives a relatively brief musical trill, Habitat: Strictly associated with mature pines, and since the sound will often come from either native or planted stands. high in pines, the habitat is a clue to the iden- Robert Royse tity of the singer. A number of other species Best Spots: : Hocking, Tar Hollow, give similar trilling songs, such as dark-eyed and Zaleski state forests. photo by

junco and chipping sparrow. © Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor

TRACK #62 Range: This species has a very pleasing, easy to learn Uncommon outside breeding areas, which is primarily southern and eastern Ohio. song – a rapid, buzzy zee-zee-zee-zee that as- cends high up the scale. Prairie warblers can Habitat: be extroverts, too – often the male will deliver Scrubby fields, locust groves in reclaimed his song from a conspicuous perch, such as strip mines, old clearcuts, and cedar groves.

the tip of a shrub or small tree, or occasion- Best Spots: ally while perched on a telephone wire. Most Stands of young red cedar in southwest Ohio, Robert Royse have quit singing by mid-July. such as at the Edge of Appalachia preserve; : common at Crown City and Waterloo WAs, and Zaleski SF. photo by

© 40

Cerulean Warbler Setophaga cerulea

TRACK #63 Range: Primarily an oak-hickory specialist, cerulean Mostly in southern and eastern Ohio, where most of the mature forests occur. warblers spend most of their time high in the crowns of mature trees, and getting a good Habitat: look at one is not easy. But, their quick buzzy Upland oak-hickory forests, although song, which speeds in tempo, is easily heard some use mature riparian woodlands.

and alerts observers to the bird. This species Best Spots: is thought to be rapidly declining, and south- Shawnee SF, Lake Hope SP,

and Clear Creek MP. Robert Royse ern Ohio harbors some of the best remaining : breeding populations. photo by

© Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia

TRACK #64 Range: One of the more obscure songs of the for- Migrants found statewide; most breeders are in southern and eastern Ohio. est, black-and-whites deliver a wispy, high- pitched weetsee-weetsee-weetsee that is easily Habitat: overlooked. So is the bird; this species en- Mature deciduous woodlands. gages in a foraging habit similar to the brown Best Spots: creeper, crawling over the bark of trees. Thus, Most of the large state forests, they blend well with their surroundings, and Conkle’s Hollow SNP, and Clear Creek MP. Robert Royse are often more numerous than one might sus- : pect, especially if the observer is not in tune photo by

with the song. © 41

American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla

TRACK #65 Range: The flashy redstart is hyperactive, constantly Statewide, but most common in southern and eastern Ohio. fanning its tail and flicking its wings, expos- ing the bright orange flashes in its plum- Habitat: age. In females, the orange is replaced with Dense understory shrubs of forests, yellow, and if a “yellowstart” is observed especially around water.

singing, it is a first year male, as it takes this Best Spots: Robert Royse species two years to mature. Redstarts have Most of the state forests; huge numbers : quite a variable range of songs, and it takes of migrants at Magee Marsh WA. photo by some practice to master this one. © Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea

TRACK #66 Range: Our only cavity-nesting warbler, this species Statewide, but generally uncommon and local.

is an inhabitant of wooded swamps. While Habitat: most use natural cavities in dead trees, they Wooded swamps and forests along can be enticed to use appropriate nest boxes slow-flowing streams. placed in suitable habitat. Prothonotary war- Best Spots: blers have a rather unmusical, loud song – a The upper end of Hoover Reservoir; monotone series of zwee zwee zwee notes that Killbuck WA. Al Freeman carry for considerable distances. Overall, this : species is uncommon, and not often found photo by

away from breeding sites. © 42

Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum

TRACK #67 Range: Primarily the unglaciated hill This inconspicuous warbler spends most of country of southeast Ohio. its time foraging among dead leaves, and inhabits steep, wooded slopes. Worm-eating Habitat: warblers are generally quite uncommon in Inhabits the understory of mature deciduous woods that occur on hillsides. migration away from breeding locales. Their song is a rather dry, rapid husky trill, similar Best Spots: to the and chipping sparrow. Shawnee and other state forests in the Robert Royse Habitat is a helpful identification clue; those southeast; Lake Katharine SNP. : two species normally wouldn’t occur in the photo by

understory of heavily wooded hillsides. © Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla

TRACK #68 Range: The loud, ascending song of the ovenbird is Common statewide, wherever suitable habitat occurs. a common and characteristic sound of Ohio’s woodlands. Rising steadily in pitch, their Habitat: song sounds like tee-cher, tee-cher, tee-cher! Relatively mature and The only similar woodland song is that of the undisturbed deciduous woods.

Kentucky warbler, but it is more monotone Best Spots: and has a flatter tone, and each phrase does Any of the state forests Robert Royse not have the sharp inflection of the ovenbird. and many wooded parks : This species gives a rarely heard, complex photo by

warbling song at dusk. © 43

Louisiana Waterthrush Parkesia motacilla

TRACK #69 Range: A harbinger of spring, this waterthrush re- Primarily southern and eastern Ohio; migrants are rare outside this area. turns by late March, and their loud, beauti- ful song heralds their arrival. They are odd Habitat: amongst the warblers in that they spend a Forested ravines with creeks or great deal of time on the ground, foraging streams flowing through them.

along creek banks, behaving more like a spot- Best Spots: ted than a . The only simi- Easily found in the wooded hill Robert Royse lar song is that of the yellow-throated war- country of southeast Ohio. : bler, but that song lacks the rapid warbling photo by

chitters that conclude the waterthrush song. © Geothlypis

TRACK #70 Range: This is a visually stunning species and well Breeds almost throughout Ohio, but most common in the south and east. worth a look. Kentucky warblers are not easy to see, however, as they tend to lurk in the Habitat: dense, shady undergrowth of forests. Know- Deciduous woodlands with ing the song is key to finding them, as singing dense understory vegetation.

birds can usually eventually be tracked down Best Spots: and observed. This species sounds a bit like Woodlands throughout southern and Robert Royse an ovenbird, but has a flat, monotone deliv- eastern Ohio, especially state forests. : ery that is readily recognized with practice. photo by

© 44

Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas

TRACK #71 Range: are one of the most common Statewide. warblers breeding in the state, and their loud Habitat: wichity wichity wichity song is commonly All manner of wetlands; heard in all types of wetlands. They normally occasionally drier brushy fields. lurk in dense vegetation and are hard to see, Best Spots: but making squeaking or pishing sounds of- Easily found in suitable ten lures them briefly into view. This is also a habitats throughout Ohio. Robert Royse hardy warbler, and occasionally will attempt : to overwinter in marshes. photo by

© Hooded Warbler Setophaga citrina

TRACK #72 Range: A stunning creature, the brilliant yellow hues Breeds statewide, most common in our larger woodlands. of the hooded warbler are not always easy to see, as this species occupies dense, shady Habitat: habitats and is hard to observe. This is yet Dense understory shrubbery another case where knowing the song is very of mature deciduous forests.

helpful, as the clear, ringing melody carries Best Spots: some distance, and with perseverance the All of the state forests, Clear Creek MP, Robert Royse singer can often be found. Hooded warblers and Cuyahoga Valley NP. : have the largest of our warblers, an adap- photo by

tation to the shady realm in which they live. © 45

Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens

TRACK #73 Range: Chats are rather bizarre and completely un- Statewide, wherever suitable habitat occurs.

like the other members of the warbler family. Habitat: They are huge for a warbler – several inches Scruffy overgrown fields, thickets, young longer than most – and act very differently. clearcuts, reclaimed strip mines. Robert Royse Yellow-breasted chats skulk about in dense : Best Spots: thickets, emitting odd hoots, grunts, cack- Edge of Appalachia preserve, photo by les, and squeaks. If lured into view by mak- Crown City WA. © ing squeaking or pishing sounds, one will be rewarded with views of the brilliant lemon- yellow breast of this otherwise greenish bird. rubra

TRACK #74 Range: Part of the robin-like song complex, this song Migrants are rare outside the breeding range, which is mostly southern Ohio. may be one of the harder ones to learn in Ohio, as it is similar to the American Robin Habitat: and not particularly distinctive. In this case, Upland oak-hickory woodlands. the call is easier to learn than the song – it is Best Spots: a diagnostic, mechanical-sounding pit-a-tuk- Waterloo WA, Shawnee SF, tuk. Summer are much scarcer than and Lake Katharine SNP. Gary Meszaros scarlet tanagers, and are closely associated : with mature stands of oak-hickory forests. photo by

© 46

Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea

TRACK #75 Range: This striking bird is probably far more com- Statewide.

mon in Ohio than many people might sus- Habitat: pect, but they tend to remain in the treetops Mature deciduous woodlands. and can be hard to see. Scarlet tanagers’ songs are easily enough heard, though, and Best Spots: All of the state forests and many Robert Royse give away their presence. While somewhat of our wildlife areas. : robin-like in phrasing and tempo, their song photo by has a rough, burry quality and has often been © likened to a “robin with a sore throat”. Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythropthalmus

TRACK #76 Range: Known as the rufous-sided towhee until 1995, Common in suitable habitat statewide. this large, showy sparrow has a very distinc- tive, clear ringing song. It often sounds very Habitat: much like drink your teeeaaa; their call, which Brushy fields, woodland openings has the same clear tone, resembles chewink! and edges, cedar groves, thickets. Towhees are often first detected by another Best Spots: sound they make – with their feet! They feed Easy to find in appropriate habitats. Robert Royse primarily on the ground, and will : loudly amongst the leaf litter, like small photo by

. © 47

Chipping Sparrow Spizella

TRACK #77 Range: This clean-cut, handsome little sparrow has Statewide.

adapted very well to suburbia, and is quite Habitat: common in most neighborhoods. Their oft- Open lawns with scattered trees, given song is a rather lengthy, dry, monoto- cemeteries, open woodlands. nous series of chips. Chipping sparrow trills Best Spots: sound much like some other species, like Robert Royse Easily found in appropriate : dark-eyed junco, pine and worm-eating war- habitat statewide. blers, and field and swamp sparrows. It just photo by

takes some practice to differentiate them. © Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla

TRACK #78 Range: Although field sparrows have trilling songs Common in suitable habitat statewide.

like several other species, this one is proba- Habitat: bly the easiest to recognize. They have a very Old fields, abandoned pastures, sweet, melodic quality, and the trill speeds up open woods, orchards, woodland edges. towards the end. The song sounds much like Best Spots: a ping-pong ball that is dropped and bounces Easily found statewide. to a stop. Field sparrows often overwinter Robert Royse in the southern half of the state, but become : quite secretive and lurk in dense brush. photo by

© 48

Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus

TRACK #79 Range: This species gets its name because it often Statewide, but mostly in heavily agricultural western and northern Ohio. sings at dusk – vespers are evening prayer services. Vesper sparrows are birds of wide- Habitat: open, barren landscapes, and are best sought Large croplands interspersed with tree lines around large farms in very agricultural areas. and brushy fence rows; grasslands.

Once one is in tune with their song – a mu- Best Spots: sical, somewhat bubbly trill that begins with Big Island and Killdeer Plains Robert Royse four distinctive notes – it is surprising just wildlife areas and vicinity. : how common this bird is in otherwise largely photo by

bird-free habitats. © Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis

TRACK #80 Range: First discovered in Georgia, and named for Statewide.

the city where it was found, Savannah spar- Habitat: rows are inconspicuous residents of wide- Hay and alfalfa fields, grassy fields of open landscapes. Their buzzy, two-pitched airports, and reclaimed strip mines. trilling song is distinctive and easily learned, Best Spots: and is by far the best way to become aware County airports; Crown City, Tri-Valley, of their presence. This pleasing song is a and Woodbury wildlife areas. Robert Royse regular feature of movie and commercial : soundtracks. photo by

© 49

Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum

TRACK #81 Range: The subtle, inconspicuous song of this skulk- Statewide. ing species can easily be lost among the ca- Habitat: cophony of more boisterous songs in our Fallow fields, pastures, hayfields, grasslands. When attuned to the sounds of reclaimed strip mines. the grasshopper sparrow, though, it is sur- Best Spots: prising how common they are. Creation of Reclaimed strip mines like massive reclaimed strip mine grasslands be- Tri-Valley WA and The Wilds. Robert Royse ginning in the 1970s has been a boon for this : species, and large numbers now utilize this photo by

habitat. © Henslow’s Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii

TRACK #82 Range: This obscure bird is more common than Statewide, but now primarily in southeastern Ohio. thought, but its song is inconspicuous in the extreme and the bird is very easy to overlook. Habitat: The male Henslow’s sparrow tosses his head Reclaimed strip mine grasslands, back, opens his bill, and out comes a pathetic- hayfields, old pastures.

sounding two-thirds of a second hiccup that Best Spots: sounds like an ill cricket. Once attuned to this Strip mine grasslands like Robert Royse sound, an observer will soon learn that there Crown City WA and The Wilds. : are many more of these birds in suitable habi- photo by

tat than would otherwise be thought. © 50

Song Sparrow melodia

TRACK #83 Range: Our most common and widespread sparrow, Statewide.

song sparrows occupy all manner of habi- Habitat: tats and will sing throughout the year. Their All types of open to semi-open songs have a distinctive tone and quality of landscapes; very adaptable. pitch, but a keen observer will note the ex- Best Spots: treme variability – it seems every rendition is Easily found throughout the state. slightly different. One of the most intensive Robert Royse studies of any bird species involved the song : sparrow, by researcher Margaret Morse Nice photo by

in Columbus, Ohio. © Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana

TRACK #84 Range: This is another of our trill-singers, like the Statewide in migration; breeders primarily in northern half of state. chipping and field sparrows. However, swamp sparrows occupy a very different Habitat: habitat than the others – wetlands. Their Wetlands, especially those dominated by song has a rather metallic quality, as well, cattails and other non-woody plants.

and seems slower in tempo than the oth- Best Spots: ers. Also, it is unlikely that any of the other Abundant at Magee Marsh WA, Robert Royse similar-sounding species would be singing in Springville Marsh SNP, and Maumee Bay SP. : wetland habitats. photo by

© 51

Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis

TRACK #85 Range: A widespread and abundant winter visitor, Common statewide in fall, winter, and spring. juncos are common at backyard feeding sta- tions. Their status as a nester in Ohio is much Habitat: rarer; they are largely confined to hemlock All types of wooded and open habitats; gorges in the extreme northeastern corner breeders use hemlock gorges.

of the state. Junco numbers swell during the Best Spots: peak of spring migration in March and April, Easily found statewide, Robert Royse and at this time it is very common to hear the especially around feeders. : males singing. photo by

© Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis

TRACK #86 Range: Along with six other states, Ohio has se- Statewide.

lected the cardinal as our state bird, and its Habitat: showy appearance is often depicted, even Very adaptable, everywhere from on a license plate. It is also one of our most suburbia to woodlands. common birds, and a species that virtually Best Spots: everyone is familiar with. Northern cardinals Easily found throughout Ohio. sing throughout the year, and their cheery, Robert Royse whistled song is easily learned. This is one of : the few species in which the females can and photo by

do sing on occasion. © 52

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus

TRACK #87 Range: Another of the robin-like complex of sing- Migrants are common statewide; nesters more common northward. ers, rose-breasted do sound like a robin, but they have a sweet, slurred quality Habitat: to their voice that is very distinct. Sometimes, All types of woods; breeders prefer younger their song is said to sound like a “drunken second-growth deciduous woods.

robin.” Rose-breasted grosbeaks frequently Robert Royse Best Spots: : intersperse their call note with the song, and Big numbers of migrants at Magee Marsh WA it is an easily recognized chink sound that and Green Lawn Cemetery. photo by

sounds like two trees rubbing together in the © wind. Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea

TRACK #88 Range: A southern species, the blue grosbeak is rare Most likely in southernmost Ohio; occasionally to the north. to uncommon in Ohio, and most likely to be found in the tier of counties that border Habitat: the Ohio River. However, they are expand- Open country interspersed with brushy ing northward and sightings are increasing. thickets and overgrown fence rows.

This bird has a rapid, rich warbling that is Robert Royse Best Spots: : reminiscent of a purple finch, a species that Crown City WA and Adams County. would never occur alongside blue grosbeaks, photo by

as their habitat and range is very different. © 53

Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea

TRACK #89 Range: A ubiquitous species of the countryside, Statewide.

indigo buntings are nonstop singers even Habitat: throughout the heat of summer. It is an abun- All types of open country, woodland dant species; some estimates of the overall edges and openings, orchards. population have put the total at 40 million Best Spots: pairs. Their song is a long, complex series Easily found throughout Ohio. of warbling whistles; a helpful identification Frank Bard tip is that most of the notes are sung in pairs. : Indigo buntings often sing from telephone photo by

wires or other conspicuous spots. © Dickcissel Spiza americana

TRACK #90 Range: A and prairie species that reaches Primarily the western half of the state. peak abundance in the western , are notoriously cyclical from year Habitat: to year in Ohio. Our state is at the eastern Prairie remnants, open meadows, limits of their range, and a favored locale hayfields, strip mine grasslands.

might have a few dozen pairs one year, and Best Spots: no birds at all the following year. Their song Big Island and Killdeer Plains wildlife areas; Robert Royse is imitative of the name; a mechanical, chat- many reclaimed strip mines. : tering dik-dik-dik-ciss ciss ciss. photo by

© 54

Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus

TRACK #91 Range: Come the first week of May, the bobolinks Statewide; most likely in western and northern Ohio. return to our fields from their wintering grounds in Argentina, and their bubbling Habitat: melodies fill the air. Bobolinks are loosely Hayfields, especially with lots of colonial, and oftentimes many singing and legumes; grass meadows. Robert Royse : displaying males can be observed in proxim- Best Spots: ity. In migration, many birds can be detected The Wilds, hayfields photo by

as they wing high overhead, if one is familiar throughout the countryside. © with their musical pink call note. Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus

TRACK #92 Range: An abundant bird, red-winged blackbirds are Statewide.

one of the more obvious species along our Habitat: roadsides. The males are prone to perching All types of open habitats, roadsides, on fences, wires, and the tops of shrubs and wet meadows, cattail marshes, etc. delivering their raucous conk-a-ree-onk song. Best Spots: Frequently they accompany their singing by Easily found throughout Ohio. flashing their brilliant red epaulets, which Bill Heban they display by folding their wings out and : forward. They reach peak abundance in wet- photo by

lands. © 55

Eastern Meadowlark magna

TRACK #93 Range: The clear, ringing song of this colorful black- Statewide.

bird is commonly heard wherever large Habitat: grasslands and meadows are found. While Meadows, pastures, hayfields, grasslands. have declined significantly in recent decades, they still remain common Best Spots: Easily found statewide; abundant in throughout much of Ohio. Its western coun- reclaimed strip mine grasslands. terpart, the , is very rare Gary Meszaros in the state and looks nearly identical. The : two species are best separated by their very photo by

different songs. © Common Grackle quiscula

TRACK #94 Range: Not likely to rank high on anyone’s list of fa- Statewide.

vorite bird songs, grackles emit an abrasive Habitat: variety of harsh, grating sounds, often con- All manner of sites, except cluding with a metallic squeak. It is a com- perhaps large dense forests. monplace song too; common grackles are Bill Heban Best Spots: : one of our most abundant birds, commonly Easily found almost everywhere. found in residential areas. Our largest black- photo by

bird often forms enormous winter roosts that © usually include other blackbird species, and European . 56

Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater

TRACK #95 Range: This species is much reviled, as it is parasitic Statewide.

and lays its eggs in other birds’ nests. The Habitat: baby normally outcompete the All types of situations, generally avoiding host species’ young, and thus cowbirds have only the densest woodlands. David VanMeter

had detrimental impacts on other songbirds. : Best Spots: Brown-headed cowbirds give a distinctive, Easily found throughout the state. photo by

high-pitched gurgling call that is quite un- like any of our other species. This bird is well © named; they are often seen in pastures forag- ing around cattle. Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius

TRACK #96 Range: Not as common and well known as the Bal- Statewide in appropriate habitat.

timore oriole, orchard orioles are nonetheless Habitat: not uncommon in much of Ohio, but are not Open areas with scattered trees; as conspicuous as the brilliant orange Balti- old fields with brushy thickets. more. Knowing the song of the orchard oriole Best Spots: is the best way to find them, as they usually Crown City, The Wilds, and lurk in dense growth. The rapid and variable Killdeer Plains wildlife areas. Tim Daniel complex of whistled notes almost always : ends in a distinctive downslurred note. photo by

© 57

Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula

TRACK #97 Range: These brilliant orange blackbirds are good Statewide.

singers, and males keep up a steady stream Habitat: of their melodious flute-like whistling. A per- Tall trees along streams, in parks or son who is a good whistler and attempts to neighborhoods; open woods. imitate the singer will often be rewarded by Best Spots: having the oriole fly down for a close look at Migrants are abundant at the imitator. Baltimore orioles like large, scat- Magee Marsh WA in May. Bill Heban tered shade trees and often do quite well in : neighborhoods, parks, cemeteries and other photo by

urban haunts. © Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus

TRACK #98a Range: This species is primarily a winter visitor to Statewide in winter, but variable from year to year. most of Ohio, although they are casual to lo- cally common breeders in the northeastern Habitat: part of the state. There is a pronounced mi- Often attracted to conifers, gration in April and May, and the males often but utilizes many forest types.

are heard singing their rich, rapid warbling Best Spots: song. Wintering birds are often more com- Frequently visits feeders; nesters often Robert Royse mon than thought, and if one is familiar with found in Holden Arboretum. : their dry, metallic pik call note, many more photo by

birds will be detected. © 58

House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus

TRACK #98b Range: A case of remarkably fast colonization, house Statewide.

were introduced in City in Habitat: 1940, and from there spread throughout the Often associated with urban settings, entire eastern U.S. By the mid-80s they had parks, farms, etc. spread throughout Ohio and today are a Best Spots: common fixture. The rapid jumbled warbling Easily found throughout Ohio. song of the male is a very common sound of Tim Daniel suburbia, and house finches are generally far : more likely at backyard feeders than is the photo by

similar purple finch. © American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis

TRACK #99 Range: Sometimes known as “wild canaries,” the Statewide.

American goldfinch is an abundant Ohio bird Habitat: that occupies a variety of open landscapes. All types of open habitats, including yards, They are most conspicuous in spring and gardens, and parks. summer, when males molt into their brilliant Best Spots: yellow . Their song is a variable and Easily found throughout Ohio. complex mix of warbles and trills, but has a Tim Daniel distinctive tone and is easy to learn. Gold- : finches often call while in flight. photo by

© 59 BIRDS OF OHIO CD COLLECTION COMMON BIRDS OF OHIO WATERBIRDS OF OHIO OWLS OF OHIO WARBLERS OF OHIO PUBLICATION 5414 PUBLICATION 5418 PUBLICATION 5423 PUBLICATION 5349 FAST FACTS ABOUT OHIO BIRDS

• 421 species have been recorded in the state

•About 300 species occur annually

•Of the 421 species recorded, 40 of those have only been seen once

•Three species that once occurred in Ohio are extinct: , Carolina parakeet, and -billed woodpecker

•About 180 species breed in Ohio every year

•Of the 180 breeding species, about 1/3rd of them winter in the Central and South American tropics

•There are only four species that are common and widespread but non-native: 60 rock pigeon, European , house finch, and

•Numerically, the most abundant bird is probably the European starling. Since the Christmas Bird Counts began in 1900, nearly 9 million have been tallied just on these counts – far more than any other species

•Our fastest bird is the , which can accelerate to nearly 200 miles per hour in a dive

•The bird nesting in Ohio that migrates the longest distance is probably the upland sandpiper, which winters in Argentina. They travel up to 11,000 miles round trip, each year.

•The biggest Ohio bird is the trumpeter , which can weigh 23 pounds and have a wing span of nearly 7 feet

Robert Royse •The smallest Ohio bird is the ruby-throated hummingbird, : which weighs in at 3 grams, or about the weight of a nickel photo by

Indigo Bunting © Contact information for sites mentioned

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WILDLIFE DISTRICT FIVE 1076 Old Springfield Pike Xenia, OH 45385  937-372-9261 DIVISION OF WILDLIFE OHIO DEPARTMENT O F NATURAL RESOURCES W ILDOHIO.CO m 1 - 8 0 0 - W ILDLI f e

OUR MISSION To conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all.

The ODNR, Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing Ohio’s fish and wildlife resources. The primary source of funding for the Divi- sion comes from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, federal excise taxes on Marsh Wren hunting, fishing, and shooting equip- ©Robert Royse ment, and donations from the public. We care about all wildlife and maintain- ing stable, healthy wildlife populations. Our challenge is to balance the needs of wildlife, habitat, and people.

PUBLICATION 5414 (R0413)

Total Quantities Printed: XX,000 Unit cost: $.XXXX Publication date: X/13

HUNTING, FISHING, TRAPPING, - THE LOVE OF NATURE ... PASS IT ON!