Large Birds in Ohio: Soaring Raptors, From Majestic Eagles to Elusive Owls (2024)

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You’re in for a treat, bird enthusiast! Ohio’s skies are home to majestic large birds soaring with grace.

Keep your eyes peeled for the bald eagle, our national symbol, with its impressive wingspan and regal demeanor. The golden eagle, a winter visitor from the Arctic, is another awe-inspiring sight.

But the real star may be the elusive snowy owl, its ghostly white plumage a breathtaking vision. These magnificent raptors offer a glimpse into the wonders of nature. And if you linger, you might just uncover more feathered treasures.

Resident Raptors

You’ll often encounter Ohio’s resident raptors soaring overhead or perched on tree branches, keeping a watchful eye for prey.

These fierce birds of prey include the Eastern screech owl, with its distinctive trilling call.

The diminutive Northern saw-whet owl, adept at camouflage.

The broad-winged Red-shouldered hawk.

The agile Cooper’s hawk, skilled at traversing dense woodlands.

The Sharp-shinned hawk, a formidable hunter of smaller birds.

Eastern Screech Owl

You’re likely familiar with the haunting "ho-ho-ho" calls of the Eastern screech owl. These small, nocturnal hunters:

• Sport distinctive ear tufts and piercing yellow eyes
• Nest in cavities like old woodpecker holes or nest boxes
• Prey on rodents, insects, and even smaller birds

With their well-camouflaged plumage, excellent hearing, and silent flight, they masterfully patrol Ohio’s woodlands at night.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

You may spy the diminutive northern saw-whet owl foraging at night with its high-pitched call echoing through dense forests. This tiny raptor, weighing a mere three ounces, occasionally irrupts southward in winter when prey is scarce in its northern breeding grounds.

Red-shouldered Hawk

You’ll spot the red-shouldered hawk gliding gracefully through forest edges and riparian areas. This medium-sized raptor:

1. Constructs stick nests high in deciduous trees
2. Hunts small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians
3. Issues a loud, piercing "kee-ah" call

Its breeding range extends across eastern North America, though habitat loss poses a threat. Learn its distinct call to appreciate this resplendent woodland hawk.

Cooper’s Hawk

You’ll encounter Cooper’s hawks hunting in wooded suburbs or parks. These agile raptors ambush birds with stealth, zipping through vegetation. Watch for their nests high in trees, where the hawks raise feisty chicks. Although populations recovered after DDT’s ban, habitat loss threatens these formidable predators.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

You’ll spot the sharp-shinned hawk’s blue-gray back and rusty barring as it darts through woodlands. Its agility aids in catching songbirds—its favored prey. Listen for its high-pitched "kik-kik-kik" call during migration. Despite its small size, this raptor’s breeding range spans from Alaska to Mexico, and its conservation status is currently considered Least Concern.

Summer Nesting Raptors

In the warmer months, Ohio’s skies play host to several majestic raptors that migrate to the region for nesting and raising their young. The osprey, with its distinctive brown and white plumage, constructs massive stick nests near bodies of water, while the slender northern harrier quarters the fields and marshes, hunting small mammals and birds with effortless grace.

Osprey

You’ll often spot ospreys in the summer, soaring over lakes and rivers:

1. Watch for their distinctive brown and white plumage.
2. Marvel at their impressive 5-6 foot wingspan.
3. Notice their unique reversible outer toe for grasping fish.
4. Admire their massive stick nests atop man-made platforms.

Ospreys migrate long distances, so cherish sightings of these fish hawks during nesting season.

Northern Harrier

You’ve seen osprey dive for fish, now look for the northern harrier gliding low over fields. This hawk hunts small mammals, paying no mind to mere humans below. Its vocalizations signal breeding season, when males perform dazzling aerial displays.

Sound	Description
Kek	Advertising call
Cheeeeer	Begging call
Peeeeer	Alarm call
Kik-kik	Territorial defense
Pur-r-r-r	Courtship

Its buoyant, effortless flight captivates all who witness this elegant raptor.

Broad-winged Hawk

You may spot the broad-winged hawk soaring effortlessly during its migration. These agile fliers breed in Ohio’s forests, nesting high in trees. Listen for their piercing cries echoing through the woods. While their numbers remain stable, habitat loss and pesticides pose threats to this magnificent raptor’s future.

Bald Eagle

You marvel at the bald eagle’s regal presence as it soars overhead, its:

1. Powerful wings spanning over 6 feet
2. Keen eyesight spotting prey from great heights
3. Majestic white head and tail feathers glistening

These summer nesters have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts, but habitat loss remains a threat. Learn about their migratory patterns, nesting sites, and how you can support their continued recovery.

Winter Visitors From the Arctic

As winter grips the landscape, a remarkable spectacle unfolds.

Raptors from the Arctic regions make their way to Ohio, seeking respite from the harsh northern conditions.

The snowy owl, with its striking white plumage and piercing yellow eyes, is among the most sought-after of these winter visitors.

It is joined by the rough-legged hawk, golden eagle, short-eared owl, and long-eared owl.

Each offers a unique glimpse into the majestic world of these feathered predators.

Snowy Owl

When winter cloaks the Arctic in darkness, you may spot a ghostly hunter drifting across Ohio’s snowy fields—the snowy owl. These regal raptors, expertly camouflaged with plumage as pure as freshly fallen snow, venture south chasing prey like voles and rabbits. Observe their silent wingbeats and piercing yellow eyes for an awe-inspiring wildlife encounter.

Rough-legged Hawk

You’ll notice these buteos’ lanky wings and broad tails as they soar overhead, scanning for rodents. Their morphology enables agile hunting. Unlike Accipiters, rough-legged hawks rely more on powered flight to pursue prey. Unfortunately, their Arctic breeding grounds face climate threats, highlighting conservation’s urgency for these winter visitors.

Golden Eagle

These majestic golden eagles are winter visitors from the arctic, venturing south in search of prey. With breeding ranges across Northern Canada and Alaska, they seek out cliffs and remote areas for nest sites. Fiercely territorial, a pair may defend an area up to 60 square miles. Though still a species of concern, populations have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts.

Short-eared Owl

You’ve probably seen short-eared owls lurking in open fields while hunting for small mammals like voles and mice. These Arctic migrants have distinctive ear tufts and streaked brown plumage for camouflage. Though they breed in Canada’s tundra, they winter in areas with abundant prey and grassy habitats. Loss of grasslands threatens these nomadic raptors’ wintering grounds.

Long-eared Owl

Just as the short-eared owl arrives from the Arctic, the long-eared owl (Asio otus) also migrates south for the winter months. These nocturnal hunters prefer dense forest habitats, expertly camouflaged and silently stalking prey. While their conservation status remains stable, safeguarding their nesting habitats is essential for these elusive winter visitors.

Uncommon and Declining Raptors

You’re about to learn about some of Ohio’s lesser-known but remarkable raptors. The barn owl, merlin, and American kestrel are uncommon and declining species that face challenges like habitat loss, making conservation efforts essential for their survival.

Barn Owl

From the Arctic tundra, we shift our gaze to an uncommon and declining raptor: the barn owl. This ghostly hunter’s distinctive screech adds an eerie ambiance to rural Ohio. Unfortunately, with old barns disappearing, finding suitable nesting sites poses a challenge for these nocturnal predators that feast on rodents and small mammals.

Merlin

Speaking of uncommon and declining raptors, you may spot a merlin—a small, fierce falcon. These masters of aerial pursuit:

1. Rely on open areas for hunting small birds
2. Breed in northern forests, migrating south for winter
3. Face threats like habitat loss and pesticides

With their bold falcon markings and agility, merlins are a sight to behold.

American Kestrel

The American kestrel, with its distinct reddish-brown back and tail, flies effortlessly while hunting for rodents and insects. You’ll recognize this falcon’s bobbing flight pattern as it hovers, zeroing in on prey with remarkable precision. Sadly, habitat loss threatens these charming raptors. Conserving grasslands and promoting nest boxes could safeguard their future.

Threats and Conservation

Soaring raptors face significant threats in Ohio. The indiscriminate use of the pesticide DDT nearly extirpated bald eagles, while habitat loss, particularly the decline of old barns, has contributed to the dwindling numbers of barn owls; additionally, the northern spotted owl is threatened by the expanding range of the barred owl.

DDT Pesticide

You’ve learned about the less common raptors, but did you know DDT, a once-widely used pesticide, nearly wiped out the majestic bald eagle in Ohio? Its toxic effects disrupted eggshell formation, causing population declines. This ecological crisis sparked a move towards sustainable practices and stricter wildlife protection laws, allowing species like the bald eagle to recover.

Habitat Loss

Habitat loss also threatens many raptor species. You’re probably familiar with the plight of the barn owl, whose numbers decline as old barns are demolished. But consider: 1) Fragmentation impacts breeding success, 2) Urbanization reduces hunting grounds, and 3) Agricultural intensification destroys nesting sites. Restoring habitats is essential for their survival.

Northern Spotted Owl

The Northern Spotted Owl‘s conservation status is threatened, with its old-growth forest habitat dwindling due to the expanding range of the invasive Barred Owl. You’ll need to understand its nesting behavior, prey preferences, and distribution patterns to protect this elusive raptor effectively.

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