Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Length: 97–137 cm | Wingspan: 167–201 cm | Weight: 2–2.6 kg

Plumage: Blue‑gray body, black eye stripe, long neck, dagger‑like yellow bill.

Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal; males slightly larger.

Juveniles: Duller with dark crown and shorter plumes.

Diet: Fish (primary), amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, insects.

Seasonal Diet Shift: More small mammals in winter.

Breeding Biology: Colonial nester (“heronries”).

Nest: Large stick platform in tall trees near water.

Clutch Size: 2–6 eggs; incubation 25–30 days.

Fledging: 49–81 days.

Lifespan: Typically 15 years; oldest 24 years.

Migration: Partial; many remain in southern Ohio.

Vocalizations: Harsh croaks and squawks.

Behavior: Solitary hunter; slow, deliberate stalking.

Ohio Distribution: Statewide near water.

Conservation Status: Stable.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Length: 50–65 cm | Wingspan: 81–98 cm | Weight: 0.7–1.6 kg

Plumage: Males have green head, chestnut breast; females mottled brown.

Sexual Dimorphism: Strong.

Juveniles: Similar to females; males molt into adult plumage in fall.

Diet: Aquatic vegetation, seeds, insects, crustaceans.

Seasonal Diet Shift: More plant matter in winter.

Breeding Biology: Ground nester; incubation 26–30 days.

Nest: Grass-lined bowl hidden in vegetation.

Clutch Size: 7–12 eggs.

Lifespan: Typically 5–10 years; oldest 27 years.

Migration: Partial; many overwinter in Ohio.

Vocalizations: Female “quack”; males quieter.

Behavior: Dabbling duck; hybridizes readily.

Ohio Distribution: Statewide in wetlands.

Conservation Status: Stable.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Length: 75–110 cm | Wingspan: 127–185 cm | Weight: 2.5–6.5 kg

Plumage: Brown body, black neck and head, white chinstrap.

Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal; males slightly larger.

Juveniles: Duller with grayish tones.

Diet: Grasses, grains, aquatic plants.

Seasonal Diet Shift: More grains in fall.

Breeding Biology: Ground nester near water.

Nest: Bowl of grasses lined with down.

Clutch Size: 2–8 eggs; incubation 25–28 days.

Fledging: 40–70 days.

Lifespan: Typically 10–24 years; oldest 33 years.

Migration: Many Ohio populations are now resident.

Vocalizations: Loud honking.

Behavior: Highly social; forms V‑shaped flocks.

Ohio Distribution: Statewide; abundant.

Conservation Status: Increasing.

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)

Length: 28–35 cm | Wingspan: 48–58 cm | Weight: 113–178 g

Plumage: Blue‑gray with shaggy crest; females have chestnut belly band.

Sexual Dimorphism: Females more colorful.

Juveniles: Similar but duller.

Diet: Fish (primary), crayfish, insects.

Seasonal Diet Shift: More crayfish in summer.

Breeding Biology: Nests in burrows dug into riverbanks.

Nest: Tunnel up to 2 m long.

Clutch Size: 5–8 eggs; incubation 22–24 days.

Fledging: 27–29 days.

Lifespan: Typically 6 years; oldest 14 years.

Migration: Partial; northern birds migrate.

Vocalizations: Rattling call.

Behavior: Dives headfirst for fish.

Ohio Distribution: Statewide near water.

Conservation Status: Stable.

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)

Length: 80–120 cm | Wingspan: 160–230 cm | Weight: 2.7–6.5 kg

Plumage: Gray body, red forehead patch.

Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal.

Juveniles: Brownish with no red crown.

Diet: Seeds, grains, insects, small vertebrates.

Seasonal Diet Shift: More grains during migration.

Breeding Biology: Nests in marshes.

Nest: Mound of vegetation in shallow water.

Clutch Size: 1–3 eggs; incubation 29–32 days.

Fledging: 67–75 days.

Lifespan: Typically 20 years; oldest 36 years.

Migration: Long‑distance; Ohio is a major stopover.

Vocalizations: Bugling calls.

Behavior: Performs elaborate courtship dances.

Ohio Distribution: Increasing; breeding in NE and NW Ohio.

Conservation Status: Recovering.

Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)

Length: 70–90 cm | Wingspan: 114–123 cm | Weight: 1.2–2.5 kg

Plumage: Dark body; orange facial skin; breeding adults have white head plumes.

Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal.

Juveniles: Brownish with pale breast.

Diet: Fish (primary), amphibians.

Seasonal Diet Shift: Minimal.

Breeding Biology: Colonial nester on islands.

Nest: Stick platform in trees or ground.

Clutch Size: 1–7 eggs; incubation 25–33 days.

Fledging: 35–42 days.

Lifespan: Typically 6–10 years; oldest 22 years.

Migration: Migratory; common in Ohio during migration.

Vocalizations: Grunts and croaks.

Behavior: Spreads wings to dry.

Ohio Distribution: Lake Erie region.

Conservation Status: Increasing.

Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

Length: 41–46 cm | Wingspan: 64–68 cm | Weight: 210–250 g

Plumage: Greenish‑black cap, chestnut neck, green‑gray wings.

Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal.

Juveniles: Brown streaked neck; duller plumage.

Diet: Fish, amphibians, insects.

Seasonal Diet Shift: More insects in summer.

Breeding Biology: Nests in shrubs or trees near water.

Nest: Loose stick platform.

Clutch Size: 2–6 eggs; incubation 19–21 days.

Fledging: 16–17 days.

Lifespan: Typically 5–7 years.

Migration: Migratory; leaves Ohio in fall.

Vocalizations: Sharp “skeow.”

Behavior: Uses bait (insects, feathers) to lure fish.

Ohio Distribution: Statewide in summer.

Conservation Status: Stable.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

Length: 138–165 cm | Wingspan: 185–250 cm | Weight: 7–13.6 kg

Plumage: Pure white; black bill and legs.

Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal; males larger.

Juveniles: Gray plumage (“cygnets”).

Diet: Aquatic vegetation, roots, tubers.

Seasonal Diet Shift: More grains in winter.

Breeding Biology: Nests in marshes.

Nest: Large mound of vegetation.

Clutch Size: 3–12 eggs; incubation 32–37 days.

Fledging: 90–120 days.

Lifespan: Typically 20–30 years.

Migration: Partial; some overwinter in Ohio.

Vocalizations: Deep trumpet‑like calls.

Behavior: Strong family bonds.

Ohio Distribution: Reintroduced; thriving in NW Ohio.

Conservation Status: Recovering.

Common Loon (Gavia immer)

Length: 66–91 cm | Wingspan: 127–147 cm | Weight: 3–7 kg

Plumage: Black‑and‑white checkered back; black head; red eyes.

Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal.

Juveniles: Grayish with pale belly.

Diet: Fish (primary), crustaceans.

Seasonal Diet Shift: More crustaceans in winter.

Breeding Biology: Nests on northern lakes (not in Ohio).

Nest: Ground nest near water.

Clutch Size: 1–2 eggs; incubation 26–29 days.

Fledging: 70–77 days.

Lifespan: Typically 20–30 years; oldest 35 years.

Migration: Migratory; common on Lake Erie during migration.

Vocalizations: Wails, tremolos, yodels.

Behavior: Expert diver; can stay underwater 3+ minutes.

Ohio Distribution: Migrant only.

Conservation Status: Stable.