Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Length: 45–65 cm | Wingspan: 110–140 cm | Weight: 690–1460 g
Plumage: Brown upperparts, pale underparts with dark belly band; adults have rich red tail.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females up to 25% larger.
Juveniles: Brown tail with narrow bands; lack red tail until 2nd year.
Diet: 80% small mammals (voles, mice, rabbits), plus snakes, birds, carrion.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More birds in winter when rodents are scarce.
Breeding Biology: Monogamous; large stick nests reused yearly.
Nest: Built in tall trees or cliffs; lined with bark and greenery.
Clutch Size: 1–3 eggs; incubation 28–35 days.
Fledging: 42–46 days.
Lifespan: Typically 10–15 years; oldest 30 years.
Migration: Partial; many Ohio birds overwinter locally.
Vocalizations: Iconic descending scream used in films.
Behavior: Soars in wide circles; hunts from perches.
Territory Size: 1–3 square miles.
Predators: Great Horned Owls, eagles (rare).
Ohio Distribution: Statewide; common along highways and fields.
Conservation Status: Stable.
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Length: 35–50 cm | Wingspan: 62–90 cm | Weight: 220–680 g
Plumage: Blue‑gray back, reddish barring on chest, long rounded tail with dark bands.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females significantly larger.
Juveniles: Brown streaked chest; yellow eyes.
Diet: 70% birds (doves, robins, starlings), 30% small mammals.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More mammals in winter.
Breeding Biology: Builds stick nests in dense forests.
Nest: 6–20 m high in conifers or hardwoods.
Clutch Size: 3–5 eggs; incubation 30–36 days.
Fledging: 27–34 days.
Lifespan: Typically 5–8 years; oldest 20 years.
Migration: Partial; northern birds migrate south.
Vocalizations: Rapid “cak‑cak‑cak.”
Behavior: Agile forest hunter; ambush predator.
Territory Size: 0.5–2 square miles.
Predators: Great Horned Owls.
Ohio Distribution: Increasing in suburbs and woodlots.
Conservation Status: Recovering after DDT era.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
Length: 23–37 cm | Wingspan: 42–68 cm | Weight: 87–218 g
Plumage: Blue‑gray back, orange barring on chest; square tail.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females larger.
Juveniles: Brown streaked chest; yellow eyes.
Diet: Primarily small birds (sparrows, finches).
Seasonal Diet Shift: More insects in summer.
Breeding Biology: Nests in dense conifers.
Nest: Stick platform 3–15 m high.
Clutch Size: 4–5 eggs; incubation 30–32 days.
Fledging: 21–28 days.
Lifespan: Typically 3–5 years; oldest 13 years.
Migration: Strong migrant; common in fall.
Vocalizations: High‑pitched “kik‑kik‑kik.”
Behavior: Fast, agile; hunts near feeders.
Ohio Distribution: Mostly migratory; uncommon breeder.
Conservation Status: Stable.
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Length: 70–102 cm | Wingspan: 180–244 cm | Weight: 3–6.3 kg
Plumage: Adults have white head and tail; juveniles are mottled brown.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females larger.
Juveniles: Dark with irregular white patches; take 4–5 years to mature.
Diet: Fish (primary), waterfowl, carrion, small mammals.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More carrion in winter.
Breeding Biology: Monogamous; massive stick nests reused yearly.
Nest: Up to 2 m wide; placed in tall trees near water.
Clutch Size: 1–3 eggs; incubation 34–36 days.
Fledging: 70–98 days.
Lifespan: Typically 20 years; oldest 38 years.
Migration: Partial; northern birds migrate.
Vocalizations: High‑pitched chirps (not the Hollywood scream).
Behavior: Soars on thermals; kleptoparasitic.
Territory Size: 1–2 miles of shoreline.
Ohio Distribution: Strong recovery; common near lakes and rivers.
Conservation Status: Recovered; removed from Endangered List.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Length: 22–31 cm | Wingspan: 51–61 cm | Weight: 80–165 g
Plumage: Males have blue‑gray wings and rufous back; females more brown overall.
Sexual Dimorphism: Strong.
Juveniles: Similar to adults but duller.
Diet: Insects, small mammals, small birds, reptiles.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More insects in summer; more rodents in winter.
Breeding Biology: Cavity nester; uses nest boxes.
Nest: Tree cavities, buildings, cliffs.
Clutch Size: 3–7 eggs; incubation 26–32 days.
Fledging: 28–31 days.
Lifespan: Typically 5 years; oldest 14 years.
Migration: Partial; northern birds migrate.
Vocalizations: “Klee‑klee‑klee.”
Behavior: Hovers while hunting; perches on wires.
Ohio Distribution: Statewide in open areas.
Conservation Status: Declining due to habitat loss.
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Length: 62–81 cm | Wingspan: 160–183 cm | Weight: 1.5–2.3 kg
Plumage: Dark brown with silver flight feathers; red featherless head.
Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal.
Juveniles: Blackish head; duller plumage.
Diet: Carrion; rarely takes live prey.
Seasonal Diet Shift: None.
Breeding Biology: Nests in caves, hollow logs, abandoned buildings.
Nest: No true nest; eggs laid on ground or substrate.
Clutch Size: 1–3 eggs; incubation 38–41 days.
Fledging: 70–80 days.
Lifespan: Typically 15–20 years; oldest 33 years.
Migration: Strong migrant; leaves Ohio in winter.
Vocalizations: Hisses and grunts; lacks syrinx.
Behavior: Soars with wings in V‑shape; uses smell to find carrion.
Ohio Distribution: Common statewide in summer.
Conservation Status: Stable.