Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)
Length: 13–17 cm | Wingspan: 18–25 cm | Weight: 18–30 g
Plumage: Slate‑gray body, white belly, pink bill; females browner.
Sexual Dimorphism: Mild; males darker.
Juveniles: Streaked brown; molt into adult plumage in fall.
Diet: Seeds (grass, weed), insects in summer.
Seasonal Diet Shift: Winter diet nearly 100% seeds.
Breeding Biology: Breeds in boreal forests (not in Ohio).
Nest: Ground nest hidden under roots or logs.
Clutch Size: 3–5 eggs; incubation 11–13 days.
Fledging: 9–13 days.
Lifespan: Typically 3–6 years; oldest 11 years.
Migration: Strong migrant; arrives in Ohio in October.
Vocalizations: High trills and chips.
Behavior: Ground forager; forms winter flocks.
Ohio Distribution: Statewide in winter.
Conservation Status: Stable.
Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)
Length: 64–79 cm | Wingspan: 135–165 cm | Weight: 2.0–3.2 kg
Plumage: Two morphs: white (all white with black wingtips) and blue (dark body, white head).
Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal.
Juveniles: Grayish with duller bills.
Diet: Grasses, sedges, grains, roots.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More agricultural grains during migration.
Breeding Biology: Breeds in Arctic tundra.
Nest: Ground nest lined with down.
Clutch Size: 2–6 eggs; incubation 22–25 days.
Fledging: 42–50 days.
Lifespan: Typically 10–20 years; oldest 27 years.
Migration: Long‑distance; Ohio is a stopover.
Vocalizations: High, nasal honks.
Behavior: Forms massive flocks; strong family bonds.
Ohio Distribution: Mostly western Ohio wetlands in migration.
Conservation Status: Increasing.
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
Length: 11–13 cm | Wingspan: 18–22 cm | Weight: 8–13 g
Plumage: Blue‑gray back, rusty underparts, bold black‑and‑white face stripes.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females paler below.
Juveniles: Duller with less contrast.
Diet: Conifer seeds, insects.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More seeds in winter.
Breeding Biology: Breeds in boreal forests.
Nest: Cavity lined with resin to deter predators.
Clutch Size: 4–7 eggs; incubation 12 days.
Fledging: 18–21 days.
Lifespan: Typically 3–6 years.
Migration: Irruptive; numbers vary yearly.
Vocalizations: Nasal “yank‑yank.”
Behavior: Climbs headfirst down trees.
Ohio Distribution: Winter visitor statewide.
Conservation Status: Stable.
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)
Length: 11–14 cm | Wingspan: 18–22 cm | Weight: 12–18 g
Plumage: Streaky brown with yellow wing and tail flashes.
Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal.
Juveniles: Similar but duller.
Diet: Seeds (conifers, alder, birch), insects.
Seasonal Diet Shift: Winter diet nearly all seeds.
Breeding Biology: Breeds in boreal forests.
Nest: Cup of twigs, moss, and lichen.
Clutch Size: 3–5 eggs; incubation 13 days.
Fledging: 15–17 days.
Lifespan: Typically 3–6 years; oldest 8 years.
Migration: Highly irruptive; unpredictable winter visitor.
Vocalizations: High buzzy trills.
Behavior: Very social; forms large flocks.
Ohio Distribution: Winter visitor; varies by year.
Conservation Status: Declining slightly.
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
Length: 15–19 cm | Wingspan: 23–25 cm | Weight: 22–32 g
Plumage: Two morphs: white‑stripe and tan‑stripe; both have bright white throat patch and yellow lores.
Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal.
Juveniles: Tan‑stripe appearance; duller overall.
Diet: Seeds, fruits, insects.
Seasonal Diet Shift: More fruits in fall.
Breeding Biology: Breeds in northern forests.
Nest: Ground or low shrub nest.
Clutch Size: 3–5 eggs; incubation 11–14 days.
Fledging: 8–12 days.
Lifespan: Typically 4–7 years; oldest 14 years.
Migration: Migratory; arrives in Ohio in October.
Vocalizations: Clear whistle: “Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada.”
Behavior: Ground forager; forms winter flocks.
Ohio Distribution: Statewide in winter.
Conservation Status: Stable.