The variety of birds that can be found in Ohio, from your home to the woods, is astounding. The different habitats like; forests, wetlands and lakeshores are a home to many birds and also provide a stopover for migrating birds. In the state of Ohio, birdwatchers are able to see the tiniest birds like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird and also the Bald Eagles. Many of these birds are easily spotted because of their bright patters.

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Ohio boasts an impressive array of beautiful birds, and knowing exactly what to look for undoubtedly enriches the outdoor experience. While the Downy Woodpecker can be spotted in many backyard feeders, many striking birds are found in more popular locations like Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. Out of the many popular birdwatching locations, we've created a countdown of the top 30 most beautiful birds in Ohio. Each bird is accompanied by identification tips and the top locations to see these magnificent species.

30) Sandhill Crane

Standing at nearly four feet tall, Sandhill Cranes are one of Ohio's most recognizably and most distinct birds. They are one of the tallest wading birds, and are easily identifiable by their height, posture, and vocal calls that resonate across Ohio's meadows and marshes when they go into a bugle call. They are easily recognizable by their slate-gray feathers and distinct red crown patches. While Sandhill Cranes are a fairly new sight in Ohio, conservationists have seen steady increases in their population after beginning their initiatives. Just last year, the state saw its highest recorded population with 371 of these cranes. Wayne, Lucas, and Geagua counties saw the highest concentrations of Sandhill Cranes. During Spring Migration, Birdwatchers flock to these locations to catch a glimpse of their elaborate courtship, where they bow, leap, and toss sticks in the air. Look for these cranes across Ohio's agricultural fields and in wetlands especially in the Spring and Fall as their presence adds a prehistoric charm.

29) Hermit Thrush

The Hermit Thrush has a striking reddish tail and rich brown upperparts with a bold eye ring. While it may be a subtle beauty, its otherworldly flute-like song is a delight to hear. This medium-sized thrush is the most notable migrant in Ohio coming and going during spring to fall. During the north's breeding season, the hermit thrush has a southern area for the winter. This thrush prefers quiet wooded areas with dense understory and brownish thick ground cover. This species may be reserved in appearance but it is easy to identify by its habit of tail flicking and smudged spots on their breast. If you are fortunate to experience Ohio's beautiful forest, you will hear the Hermit Thrush fine melody, but be prepared to hear one of the North American finest songsters.

28) Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-capped Chickadee is a fun little bird that stays in Ohio all year. They are easily recognized by their black bib and cap, white cheeks, soft gray wings, and backs. The Black-capped Chickadee is located north in Ohio of the range of the Carolina Chickadee. The two species range together in a narrow band across the state. Bird watchers in particular will identify the Black-capped as it is the larger of the two species, and has slightly more white edging than the Carolina Chickadee on the wing feathers. This species has a distinct two-part song; "fee-bee". These birds love yard feeders and will show up often for sunflower seeds and suet. They search for seeds and insects while often hanging upside down, showing off their acrobatic skills. Chickadees are bold and inquisitive, making them a favorite among bird watchers. These little birds help brighten the winter landscapes of Ohio because the vast majority of winter birds have migrated elsewhere.

27) Yellow Warbler

One of the earliest arrivals for spring in Ohio is the Yellow Warbler. It brightens the landscape and skies with its stunning yellow feathers. Male Yellow Warblers have striking rusty streaks on their chests while immature and female Yellow Warblers have a softer hue with a greenish yellow tint. They arrive in Ohio in April after migrating from Central and South America and spend the summer here. Wetland edges, shrubby thickets, and willow groves are their preferred habitats. Their songs are sweet and whistled. The song is expressed as “sweet-sweet-I’m-so-sweet.” Their songs fill the air during the whole breeding season. They are a joy to watch as they move from branch to branch, looking for insects. They are easily recognizable. If you have a park, overgrown field, or stream nearby, you can hear and see these birds between April and September.

26) Canada Goose

The Canada Goose can be easily identified because of its distinct black head and neck, large gray-brown body, and a white chinstrap. These large birds can be seen in all parts of Ohio and can be found near bodies of water and even in city parks and golf courses. Canada Geese have large family units and are known for migrating together and flying in V formations, creating a lot of noise while flying. Because of successful conservation efforts, these birds can now be seen in Ohio during all seasons. In spring, look out for Canada Goose families with small baby birds (goslings) and in fall, look out for groups of these birds flying together.

25) Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhees are easily recognizable because of their distinct colorations of a black hood, rufous sides, and a white belly. While males are more prominent in black tones, with females being warmer in brown tones, they are both equally attractive. In eastern towhees, double-scratching is how they scavenge for food. They scavenge through the leaf litter in a backward hop. They seem to be dancing when they do this. These uniquely behaving birds can be found throughout Ohio as long as the locations consist of overgrown fields, forest fringes, and shrubby thickets, and are suitable for their distinct 'drink-your-tea' song. During spring and summer, eastern towhees can be heard singing this song. To find them, listen for their sharp, 'chewink' call. They are often found in the underbrush. They sit on branches that are close to the ground and hunt for small insects and seeds as they watch.

24) Common Loon

The Common Loon can be seen in large numbers throughout the migratory season when they can be spotted in every northern state, including Ohio. Their black and white plumage is a big draw to the lake. They are especially patronized for their vocalizations, which are an attraction at the echoing north waters. Even though they don't breed in the state, they can be seen on big lakes during spring and fall from Lake Erie, which is part of their breeding to wintering migration. Their bodies are torped shaped and will be low to the surface of the water. They have bill that is shaped like a dagger that is to aid in diving for fish. In fall bird watchers come heavily to the peak season of migration for the loons. A day with double-digit loons is full of success. All of the wilderness is signified by the unearthly sound of the loons, which is a great reward for the people who stand to observe them.

23) Belted Kingfisher

The only kingfisher in Ohio is the Belted Kingfisher, which is a very characteristic bird that can be seen resting on trees, rivers, or lakes. They have a shaggy blue-grey crest and a large head and heavy bill which makes them look serious. Both sexes have a blue chest but the female also has a rusty band which makes her a little more colorful. Kingfishers are known for their amazing fishing skills, as they can hover over the water and dive in to catch fish. They have a very hostile call, but they can be very shy and fly off for the slightest disturbances. They are commonly perched on trees and look for less populated areas to fish.

22) American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch is famous for its yellow color and can be heard singing its happy song. Males in summer have bright yellow underbellies with black wings and a black crown. Females and the winter Goldfinches from Ohio are more plain with olive and yellow coloring. Goldfinches eat seeds, especially sunflower and thistle. They can be spotted flying in a rollercoaster pattern with a “po-ta-to-chip” call. They breed in summer waiting for thistle seeds to be ready. They like to eat from nyjer seed feeders.

21) Wood Thrush

The Wood Thrush's songs fill Wooded areas throughout Ohio every spring and summer. During this time it captures the hearts of Birdwatchers throughout the state. Their songs are flute-like. They are around the size of a Robin, making them a little bit bigger than birds that sit on people's wrists. They have an upper body that is rusty brown, and on the underside of the body (the breast region of Wood Thrushes) there are white patches where there are bold black spots. Wood Thrushes are shy. They will dig into the understory layer of the forest (the layer below the tree canopy but above the leaf litter), and search for insects and various member plants of the group known as "berries". People encounter Wood Thrushes less and less each year because of their dwindling habitat, but their songs are ethereal. One can listen to their songs throughout various times of the day within Ohio’s state parks and forest preserves.

20) White-breasted Nuthatch

In backyards and forests in Ohio, the White-breasted Nuthatch is seen often and possesses the unique characteristic of descending tree trunks headfirst. This bird is rather small and has a stocky build, a slate-blue back, a face and underparts that are bright white, and a strong black cap. The nuthatch has a short tail and strong feet to assist it in its acrobatic activities of foraging, which involves extracting insects from the tiny cracks and fissures in tree bark and storing them under the bark along with seeds for retrieval later. Throughout Ohio, the White-breasted Nuthatches are frequent winter visitors to bird feeders filled with sunflower seeds or suet. The presence of nuthatches can often be heard before they can be seen due to their characteristic nasal call that sounds like “yank-yank.” Their curious behavior and energetic traits have made them a favorite bird for birdwatchers of all ages.

19) Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted Titmouse is known for having a friendly personality and loves to explore Ohio's forests and suburban areas. Identifying them is easy because of their distinguished soft gray feathers and white underside. Additionally, they have black and large eyes and a unique crest. Their whistling sound is easy to recognize and can be heard across the state. Bird feeders are commonly visited by them, including places that have sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. They are also frequently seen with other birds such as nuthatches, and chickadees. A wonderful part about Tufted Titmouses is that they love to use nesting boxes found in backyards. So, having one in your backyard will be a fantastic joy!

18) Purple Finch

The Purple Finch has a coloration that is more of a raspberry-red than purple. Males have that coloration on their head, chest, and back, while females are brown with clear streaks and a prominent facial pattern. Purple Finches are seen less often in Ohio than similar House Finches, but they can be seen often in the southern part of the state during migration and winter. Their preferred habitat are coniferous and mixed forests, but will visit feeders, The Purple Finch song is a treat for any birder and is accompanied by a beautiful coloration.

17) Pine Siskin

Pine Siskins are small, streaky finches that stand upright with pointed bills and yellow streaks on their wings and tail. These birds tend to be unpredictable visitors in Ohio. This is because they appear at feeders in huge numbers during the years when food supplies are limited to the north. Siskins are social birds and travel in thick, loud flocks. They are known to favor thistle feeders (also known as nyjer). The call of goldfinches and small mixed bird flocks sizzles and builds making it difficult to determine which bird is which. In Ohio, these birds can only be spotted during the winter months.

16) Short-eared Owl

Ohio's winter visitors include the Short-Eared Owl. In Ohio, they can be identified by their broad rounded wings, pale facial discs, and short tufts (ears). As opposed to most owls, Short-Eared Owls are active during the day and especially active at dawn and dusk. This active period behavior makes them easier to find and a favorite for birders. These owls can be found in open grasslands, marshes, reclaimed strip mines, and other areas where they can hunt small mammals by flying low over fields. Winter is the best time to look for them, especially in wildlife areas like Big Island and Killdeer Plains. Here, as the sun sets, several birds may be seen gliding in search of prey.

15) Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Juncos are winter visitors to all Ohio backyards and woodlands and are affectionally known as snowbirds. They are small sparrows with slate-gray upperparts and white underparts. Their white outer tail feathers flash when they fly. They are present in Ohio all winter long as they breed in Canada and the Appalachians which is a large enough distance that they are able to make the trek down as long as it is a long enough for breeding to occur. They primarily eat seeds and forage in groups under feeders as well as in the leaf litter. They are a favorite winter birds, and their presence helps to liven up the landscape of Ohio that may be void of birds.

14) Prairie Warbler

The Prairie Warbler doesn’t actually live on prairies; it prefers shrubby fields and young forests, as well as areas with lots of undergrowth and brush. This small warbler is a specialist of certain regions, particularly during spring and summer, and male Prairie Warblers are particularly easy to spot because they have bright yellow chests with some black streaks on the sides and a black line going through the eye. Prairie Warblers also have a very distinctive song that sounds like a buzzy and scales up, so you might hear one before you see it. Be sure to look for Prairie Warblers in the southern and eastern regions of Ohio, especially the areas that are old fields that are gradually turning into a forest again. You will be able to see their bright colors and energetic foraging.

13) Blue Grosbeak

The male Blue Grosbeak has a brilliant royal blue plumage with rusty orange wingbars, while the female has a more muted brown plumage with a cinnamon hue. These birds typically settle in areas of open countryside that feature some shrub coverage, such as abandoned fields, posts from powerlines, and along the edges of reclaimed strip mines. Grosbeaks excel as singers, and their vocalizations bring an exotic quality to the songs of summer in Ohio. Blue Grosbeaks should be expected to be seen perched on southern county fence posts and utility wires during the summer breeding season. \ Blue Grosbeaks are a spectacular sight, and they're claiming a burgeoning amount of territory in Ohio, and now they've even made it to Central and Southern Ohio. \ The Blue Grosbeak was first identified in the central and southern areas of Ohio. \ Blue Grosbeaks have quite the abundance of vocal talent which is why they're so often recognized, but their songs are quite a bit more complex than what would be expected of an Ohio bird, and are quite exotic sounding.

12) Chuck-will’s-widow

One of the rarest breeders to arrive in Ohio, the Chuck-will's-widow is a large bird that hunts during the night. The bird can be heard making it's calls during Ohio's summertime nights. The bird also has a similar relative, the Whip-poor-will, that also has a similar appearance to the widow bird. The widow bird is camouflaged with leaf patterns which makes it very difficult to see (and is often heard instead). In Ohio, the migrants can be spotted in the brushy hills of Adams County. If you are a bird lover wanting to see a widow bird, it is best to come during the early morning, as they are at the edges of the forests and are heard singing during late spring to summer.

11) Eastern Screech-Owl

The Eastern Screech-Owl is an amazing hunter. It uses its expert camouflage to blend into wooded areas all over Ohio. These little owls have gray and reddish color forms, and because of their feather patterns, they can look almost invisible to prey. Master hunters, screech owls hunt and eat a variety of prey as small as insects, and small fish, and as large as small mammals. Screech owls are also cavity nesters and will even take advantage of man-made nest boxes. They stay in Ohio all year and will often be heard at wooded parks, and suburb areas.

10) Indigo Bunting

The Indigo Bunting is one of the most beautiful sights in the entire state of Ohio, especially in the summer months. Breeding males are bright blue from bill to tail. These small songbirds are the size of a sparrow, and they prefer song-filled, brushy fields, edges of woodlands, and overgrown areas of clearings. Their warbling song can be heard from all of the exposed perches and branches within their preferred habitat. Females and younger Indigo Buntings are covered in warm brown and not as vibrant in color as males. Therefore, the coloration is even more striking in comparison. Most Indigo Buntings arrive as late spring migrants and are usually in the state of Ohio by the end of May. If you are in the countryside of Ohio this summer, keep an eye out for Indigo Buntings.

9) Rough-legged Hawk

Rough-legged Hawks come to Ohio in winter months and do their hunting in open fields, marshes, and prairies. They can be identified from other Ohio raptors by their hovering which makes them unique. They come in light and dark color forms and have a dark patch on their belly and black patck on their wings. They only come to Ohio from late fall to early spring and do their breeding in the far north of the Arctic tundra. They can be seen on the barbed wire fencing and telephone poles on the roadside and their hunting style is similar to that of an American Kestrel.

8) Northern Bobwhite

The Northern Bobwhite is a species native to Ohio and is the state's only quail species. The Northern Bobwhite is a plump and ground-dwelling bird known for its distinct whistle-like call of “bob-white!” Northern Bobwhite males have a striking white throat and a dark crown, while females have light-colored face markings. Bobwhites have a preference for grassy fields, brushy edges, and other habitats, but their populations have steeply declined because of the loss of these habitats. Presently, serious bird watchers can find them in the southern region of Ohio and places like Woodbury, Tranquility, and Crown City. During spring and summer, listen for Bobwhites in the mornings and evenings as they are known for their calls and watch out for the coveys as they move quickly through the grasses and the bush.

7) Tundra Swan

Easily noticed from afar, the Tundra Swan is a very large, all-white bird that possesses a long neck and a bill that is black in color. They have a distinguishable yellow spot under the bill, although, this spot is inconsistent in its presence. Swans are found in large numbers during migration in Ohio, wetland, lakes and flooded fields and are known to make loud sounds that some may describe as bugling. While Tundra Swans are known to stop in large numbers in Ohio, they do not have breeding ground in this area, thus, fully migrating south from their wintering ground. Therefore, they have no breeding ground in Ohio. During migration, they can be found in enormous numbers, especially in the western and northern parts of the state.

6) Great Black-backed Gull

The Great Black-backed Gull is the biggest gull species on the planet and is a dominant and notable character along the Lake Erie shoreline. Fully grown birds are incredibly easy to identify because of their enormous size, black wings and black backs with thick yellow bills with a red spot on them. These birds do not tend to specialize in one particular method of feeding, which is why you may see them stealing fish from other birds, scavenging, or even catching smaller birds for food. While there are many other more common species of gulls in Ohio, they are still seen on a frequent basis during the winter, and serious birdwatchers know how to locate these birds at large reservoirs and along the coast of Lake Erie. Their enormous size, along with striking black and white coloration, makes them a “gotta see” for all alee gulls fans.

5) Red-shouldered Hawk

With rufous shoulders, a black-and-white chequered tail and wings, and a breast that is barred reddish, it is easy to tell why the Red-shouldered Hawk is one of the most handsome raptors in Ohio. There are even more reason to describe these as one of the most vocal. These medium-sized hawks make their homes in mature forests, and will thrive in areas that have streams or wetlands. Their calls can be described as piercing, and can be written as “kee-ahh.” This species can be observed throughout the entire year in Ohio, and the amount of Red-shouldered Hawks spotted in the area has increased in number as their habitats are now being conserved. Look for them soaring over the forest, or sitting in the trees watching for small mammals, snakes, and frogs.

4) Carolina Wren

The Carolina Wren is a small bird full of energy and can be seen year-round in the woodlands, parks, and backyards of Ohio. The Carolina Wren can be identified by its reddish-brown feathers, light brown belly, and white eyebrow, which is very noticeable. This bird can be seen from the ground and all through the dense vegetation, while hopping and probing. This wren can be identified by its cheerfull, exuberant, loud “tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea-kettle!” tune. These charming little birds will stop at nothing to checkout nesting possibilities of house porches, garages, and even mailboxes. All these priceless qualities is what makes them dabtop favoirtes of the birdwatching community of Ohio.

3) Pileated Woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker found in the state of Ohio. It resembles a crow and can be distinguished from other woodpecker species by its bright red crown and its bold black and white facial markings. Pileated woodpeckers peck soft wood (like that found in dead trees) to find carpenter ants and other insects. By doing this, they create large rectangular holes that can be found in many of Ohio's mature forests. The loud drumming and wild calls of these amazing birds are a signature trait of the pileated woodpecker species. In Ohio, they can be found in the state's large woodlands, parks, and nature preserves. Pileated woodpeckers use a series of powerful and well-coordinated wingbeats to soar from tree to tree.

2) Eastern Bluebird

The Eastern Bluebird represents joy and happiness. With his brilliant blue upperparts, and warm reddish-orange breast, he is easy to love. His colors and flashy presentation can outperform the less bright female. Thanks to the efforts of conservation and widespread nesting boxes, these gentle birds can be found in all of Ohio. Their preferences have them in open habitats with sparse scattering of trees including, but not limited to: pastures, golf courses, and suburban parks. Listen for their soft and musical song, and the look for them perched on fences, wires, or nest boxes. They're the sign of spring, which is always welcomed by all the bird watchers across the state.

1) Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal tops the list for Ohio's birds. It's easy to see why; it's the state bird of Ohio! While it's super common to see cardinals in gardens, it's also easy to identify them. Cardinal males recently very red, while females are brown with red tips. The entire bird gets a cool orange bill and a nice crest. While breeding happens in other places, cardinals are staying in Ohio year round. They frequent bird feeders and can be found almost anywhere; in gardens, woodlands, and even bushes. They have a very nice and easy to identify whistle that some describe as saying \"purty-purty-purty\" Other bird lovers appreciate their songs as well as the notes they add to their songs. All of these traits give the cardinal the top spot in an already impressive list of birds.'