Though winter has set in for a couple more months, that doesn’t been every living thing has left town! For some, bird watching during these cold months and experimenting with different types of bird feed can be a hobby all in itself. Here’s a list of a number of our feathered Ohio friends you can spot – if you look – that may help to make these frosty days a little warmer.
Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal is a North American bird also known colloquially as the redbird or common cardinal. It can be found in southern Canada, through the eastern United States from Maine to Texas and south through Mexico. It is found in woodlands, gardens, shrublands, and swamps.
Nuthatches
Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet. There are three Ohio species.
Common Redpoll
The Common Redpoll is a small brownish-grey finch with dark streaks and a bright red patch on its forehead. These birds are remarkably resistant to cold temperatures and winter movements are mainly driven by the availability of food.
Slate Colored Junco
The Slate Colored Junco is so popular in the winter it is frequently called a “snowbird.” There are actually several plumage variations of these dark-eyed juncos.The plainer slate-colored bird is the most popular dark-eyed junco in the eastern United States. White proso millet is their favorite food, and they prefer it from ground feeders or low platforms.
Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpeckers forage on trees, picking the bark surface in summer and digging deeper in winter. They mainly eat insects, also seeds and berries. In winter, especially, Downy Woodpeckers can often be found in suburban backyards with trees and will feed on suet at birdfeeders.
Birds of Prey
At backyard feeders an assortment of out-of-state visitors can be seen when food sources are sparse in the northern forests of Canada. Along with northern finches such as evening grosbeaks, pine siskins, red and white-winged crossbills, and common redpolls, if live in a wide open area you may see snowbirds such as eagles, hawks and owls swoop in from as far away as the Artic tundra – a sight for ‘flurried’ eyes in mid winter for sure!
Every winter, Ohio’s owl population temporarily expands from four species to seven as short-eared, long-eared and northern saw-whet owls join other common Ohio owls for the winter.
The short-eared owl is the easiest to catch sight of because it is both diurnal and nocturnal, active from late afternoon through the morning hours. These owls roost almost exclusively on the ground in overgrown fields and along hedge rows, though it’s not unusual to see them perched on roadside fence posts.
The northern saw-whet is a diminutive owl, averaging just 8 inches in length. It is most active at dawn and dusk, hunting in wooded and heavy brush areas for insects, mice and other small rodents. Sound sleepers when roosting, birders can occasionally get within inches of a saw-whet. However, never disturb this or any owl as you might reveal its roosting location and make it vulnerable to attack by other birds.
Enjoy these slides, then head on out to your favorite feed store or to Jenlyn Feed for a nice big bag of treats!
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Have you seen any owls, birds of prey or other interesting birds this winter? Please share in the comments below.