Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
Length: 40–49 cm | Wingspan: 66–75 cm | Weight: 250–350 g
Plumage: Striking black body, bold white underwings, flaming red crest; males have red forehead stripe.
Sexual Dimorphism: Mild; males have red malar stripe.
Juveniles: Duller plumage, shorter crest, weaker facial contrast.
Diet: Primarily carpenter ants and beetle larvae; also fruits, nuts, and occasional small vertebrates.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More fruits (dogwood, sumac) in fall and winter.
Breeding Biology: Excavates large cavities; incubation 15–18 days; fledging 24–31 days.
Nest: Deep rectangular cavity in dead trees; reused by owls and ducks.
Lifespan: Typically 7–10 years; oldest recorded 12 years.
Migration: Non‑migratory.
Vocalizations: Loud, ringing “kuk‑kuk‑kuk” series; deep drumming.
Behavior: Powerful excavator; leaves distinctive rectangular holes.
Territory Size: 100–400 acres depending on forest quality.
Predators: Great Horned Owls, raccoons, martens.
Ohio Distribution: Statewide in mature forests.
Conservation Status: Stable; benefits from dead wood availability.
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)
Length: 14–17 cm | Wingspan: 25–30 cm | Weight: 20–33 g
Plumage: Black‑and‑white pattern; males have small red nape patch.
Sexual Dimorphism: Mild; males slightly larger.
Juveniles: Red crown patch; duller plumage.
Diet: Insects (ants, beetles, caterpillars), seeds, suet.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More seeds in winter.
Breeding Biology: Excavates small cavities; incubation 12 days; fledging 20–25 days.
Nest: Soft wood cavities 1–6 m high.
Lifespan: Typically 2–5 years; oldest 11 years.
Migration: Non‑migratory.
Vocalizations: Sharp “pik” calls; rapid drumming.
Behavior: Joins mixed‑species winter flocks.
Ohio Distribution: Statewide in forests and suburbs.
Conservation Status: Stable.
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)
Length: 23–26 cm | Wingspan: 38–41 cm | Weight: 40–95 g
Plumage: Similar to Downy but larger with longer bill.
Sexual Dimorphism: Mild; males have red nape patch.
Juveniles: Red crown patch; duller plumage.
Diet: Wood‑boring beetle larvae, ants, caterpillars.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More nuts and seeds in winter.
Breeding Biology: Cavity nester; incubation 11–12 days.
Nest: Excavated in dead trees 2–15 m high.
Lifespan: Typically 4–7 years; oldest 15 years.
Migration: Mostly resident; some northern birds move south.
Vocalizations: Sharp “peek” calls; slower drumming than Downy.
Behavior: More solitary than Downy.
Ohio Distribution: Statewide but less common in suburbs.
Conservation Status: Stable.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
Length: 22–27 cm | Wingspan: 38–46 cm | Weight: 56–91 g
Plumage: Black‑and‑white barred back; red crown and nape; faint reddish belly patch.
Sexual Dimorphism: Males have full red crown; females have red nape only.
Juveniles: Duller with grayish heads.
Diet: Insects, nuts, fruits, seeds; opportunistic feeder.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More nuts in fall; more insects in spring.
Breeding Biology: Cavity nester; incubation 12 days; fledging 24–27 days.
Nest: Excavated in dead trees or utility poles.
Lifespan: Typically 4–6 years; oldest 12 years.
Migration: Non‑migratory.
Vocalizations: Rolling “churr” calls; loud drumming.
Behavior: Stores food in bark crevices.
Ohio Distribution: Statewide; increasing northward.
Conservation Status: Expanding range.
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
Length: 46–63 cm | Wingspan: 101–145 cm | Weight: 910–2500 g
Plumage: Mottled brown with white throat patch; prominent ear tufts.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females larger.
Juveniles: Fluffy with gray down; ear tufts develop later.
Diet: Mammals (rabbits, skunks), birds, reptiles.
Seasonal Diet Shift: Minimal; opportunistic predator.
Breeding Biology: Early breeder (January–February).
Nest: Uses abandoned hawk or crow nests.
Clutch Size: 1–4 eggs; incubation 30–37 days.
Lifespan: Typically 13 years; oldest 28 years.
Migration: Non‑migratory.
Vocalizations: Classic “hoo‑hoo‑hoo‑hoo.”
Behavior: Apex nocturnal predator.
Ohio Distribution: Statewide in forests and suburbs.
Conservation Status: Stable.
Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Length: 40–63 cm | Wingspan: 96–125 cm | Weight: 470–1050 g
Plumage: Brown and white barring; dark eyes.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females larger.
Juveniles: Fluffy white down; barred plumage develops later.
Diet: Small mammals, amphibians, birds.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More amphibians in spring.
Breeding Biology: Uses tree cavities; incubation 28–33 days.
Nest: Cavities or old hawk nests.
Lifespan: Typically 8–10 years; oldest 24 years.
Migration: Non‑migratory.
Vocalizations: “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you‑all?”
Behavior: Prefers mature forests near water.
Ohio Distribution: Statewide but most common in southeast.
Conservation Status: Stable.
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)
Length: 16–19 cm | Wingspan: 25–30 cm | Weight: 23–38 g
Plumage: Males brilliant red with black wings; females olive‑yellow.
Sexual Dimorphism: Strong.
Juveniles: Similar to females; males molt into red in spring.
Diet: Insects, fruits.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More fruits in fall.
Breeding Biology: Nests high in canopy.
Nest: Loose cup of twigs and grasses.
Clutch Size: 3–5 eggs.
Lifespan: Typically 5–7 years.
Migration: Long‑distance to South America.
Vocalizations: Rough, robin‑like song.
Behavior: Secretive; stays high in canopy.
Ohio Distribution: Common in large forests.
Conservation Status: Declining slightly due to habitat loss.
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)
Length: 18–21 cm | Wingspan: 30–40 cm | Weight: 40–50 g
Plumage: Rusty brown upperparts; white breast with bold black spots.
Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal.
Juveniles: Spotted breast; duller back.
Diet: Insects, snails, fruits.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More fruits in late summer.
Breeding Biology: Cup nest; incubation 12–13 days.
Nest: Built in shrubs or small trees.
Clutch Size: 3–4 eggs.
Lifespan: Typically 5 years; oldest 10 years.
Migration: Long‑distance to Central America.
Vocalizations: Flute‑like, ethereal song.
Behavior: Ground forager; shy.
Ohio Distribution: Common in mature forests.
Conservation Status: Declining due to habitat fragmentation.