The Mysterious Large Black Birds of Ohio
Types of Large Black Birds Found in Ohio
Ohio is home to several species of large black birds, which can be an exciting sight for bird watchers. Here are some of the most common ones that you can spot in the state.
American Crow
The American Crow is perhaps the most familiar large black bird in Ohio, and it can be seen in both rural and urban areas. With its distinctive "caw-caw" call, the American Crow is known for its intelligence and adaptability. As scavengers, they can eat almost anything and are known to steal food from other animals.
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Turkey Vulture
The Turkey Vulture is a large bird of prey with a wingspan of up to six feet. They are scavengers and are known for their acute sense of smell, which they use to locate decaying animals. You can often spot them flying overhead in circles, particularly during daylight hours.
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Common Raven
The Common Raven is a large black bird native to Ohio. They are similar in appearance to the American Crow but are larger and have a more massive bill. They are highly intelligent and are known for their complex vocalizations and problem-solving abilities.
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Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is a medium-sized bird of prey with a distinctive heart-shaped face and black eyes. Although they are not entirely black, their dark brown feathers give them a black appearance in low light conditions. Barn Owls are nocturnal and hunt small mammals and birds during the night.
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Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird is a medium-sized bird known for its intricate songs and vocalizations. Although they are not entirely black, they have dark wings and tail feathers. They are common throughout Ohio and are known to imitate the sounds of other birds and animals.
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Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is a large bird of prey commonly found in Ohio. They have dark wings and a distinctive reddish-brown tail. Red-tailed Hawks are known for their keen eyesight and are adept at swooping down to catch small mammals and birds.
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American Black Duck
The American Black Duck is a medium-sized bird commonly seen in Ohio during the winter months. They are entirely black except for a distinctive patch of purple-blue feathers on their wings. American Black Ducks are most commonly found in wetlands, where they feed on aquatic plants and invertebrates.
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Eastern Screech-Owl
The Eastern Screech-Owl is a small, stocky bird of prey with a distinctive ear tufts on their head. Although they are not entirely black, their dark brown feathers give them a blackish appearance in low light conditions. They are nocturnal and hunt small mammals and insects during the night.
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Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron is a tall, elegant wading bird commonly seen in Ohio. They are entirely blue-gray except for their black and white head and neck. Great Blue Herons are commonly found near bodies of water, where they hunt for fish, amphibians, and other small creatures.
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Common Grackle
The Common Grackle is a medium-sized blackbird found in Ohio. They have a distinctive iridescent sheen to their feathers and a long, keel-shaped tail. Common Grackles are social birds and often congregate in large flocks, especially during the winter months.
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The Common Large Black Birds in Ohio
Ohio is home to a diverse and varied population of birds. Among the many species that call the Buckeye State home are large black birds, which are often a sight to behold. Here are some of the most common large black birds found in Ohio.
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
The American crow is one of the most common large black birds in Ohio and throughout North America. These birds are known for their distinct cawing sound, which is usually heard in the early morning or late afternoon. They are easy to spot thanks to their jet-black feathers and sturdy, straight bill. American crows can be found in parks, woodland areas, and even urban environments.
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
The turkey vulture is another large black bird commonly seen in Ohio. In addition to their black feathers, these birds are also known for their red, featherless heads. Turkey vultures are scavengers and can often be seen circling in the sky, looking for their next meal. They can be found in rural areas, and are frequently seen perched on fence posts or tree limbs.
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
The common grackle is a large black bird that is found throughout Ohio during the spring and summer months. These birds are often found in large flocks and are known for their loud, raucous calls. They have iridescent feathers that can appear blue, green, or purple in the sunlight. Common grackles are often found in urban areas, and can be seen perched on telephone wires or foraging on the ground for food.
Red-Winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
The red-winged blackbird is a common sight in Ohio during the spring and summer months. These birds have black feathers, with a distinctive patch of bright red feathers on their wings. Red-winged blackbirds are often found in wetland areas, and are known for their distinctive call, which sounds like "o-ka-lee".
Common Raven (Corvus corax)
The common raven is the largest bird in the crow family, and is often seen in Ohio during the winter months. These birds have a shiny black plumage, with a wedge-shaped tail. They are known for their deep, throaty call, which can often be heard from great distances. Common ravens are often found in remote, forested areas in Ohio.
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
The mourning dove is a large black bird that is often seen in Ohio throughout the year. These birds have a slender, pointed tail, with a plump body and small head. They have a distinct "cooing" call, which can often be heard in the early morning or late afternoon. Mourning doves are often found in open fields or woodland areas in Ohio.
Double-Crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
The double-crested cormorant is a large black bird that can be found in Ohio during the spring and summer months. These birds have a distinctive, hooked bill, with webbed feet that make them excellent swimmers. Double-crested cormorants are often found near bodies of water, such as lakes or rivers.
Brown-Headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)
The brown-headed cowbird is a large black bird that is often seen in Ohio during the summer months. These birds have a glossy black plumage, with a brown head. They are known for laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species, rather than building their own. Brown-headed cowbirds are often found in fields and woodland areas in Ohio.
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
The common merganser is a large black bird that is frequently seen in Ohio during the winter months. These birds have a long, pointed bill, and are known for their distinctive, bright white patches on their wings. Common mergansers are excellent swimmers, and can often be found in lakes or rivers in Ohio.
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
The bald eagle is a majestic large black bird that can be found in Ohio year-round. These birds have dark feathers, with a distinctive white head and tail. They are known for their impressive wingspan, which can reach up to 7 feet. Bald eagles are often found near bodies of water, such as lakes or rivers, where they feed on fish.
Species of Large Black Birds Found in Ohio
Ohio is home to several species of large black birds and they all play an important role in the ecosystem. These birds can be found in different habitats throughout the state, from urban areas to forests and wetlands.
American Crow
The American Crow is a common sight in Ohio, and is perhaps one of the most recognizable large black birds seen within the state. These birds are found in all of Ohio's 88 counties and are considered intelligent and opportunistic.
They are known to be scavengers and will eat almost anything, including insects, small animals, fruit, and carrion. Their calls are loud and distinct, and are often heard in the early morning hours.
American Crows prefer open areas such as fields, meadows or suburban areas with scattered trees. However, they are also known to nest in wooded areas, where they are protected from predators.
Turkey Vulture
The Turkey Vulture is another large black bird found in Ohio. These birds are more commonly seen during the warmer months, as they are migratory and typically winter in South America.
Turkey Vultures have a keen sense of smell, which allows them to locate carrion from great distances. They are also known for their distinctive flight pattern, which involves soaring in circles on warm rising air currents called thermals.
They are generally non-aggressive and harmless to humans, though they can be a nuisance in urban areas where they may congregate in large numbers.
Raven
The Raven is often confused with the American Crow, but is actually a different species altogether. These birds are larger than crows, with a wingspan of up to 4 feet.
Ravens are considered to be intelligent birds, with problem-solving skills that have been compared to those of apes. They are also known for their distinctive "croaking" calls.
Ravens are typically found in wooded areas, but can also be seen in urban and suburban areas. They are primarily scavengers, but will also hunt small animals such as mice and rabbits.
Common Grackle
The Common Grackle is a large black bird with a distinctive iridescent purple or blue sheen on its feathers. These birds are known for their raucous calls and can often be seen in large flocks.
Common Grackles are primarily found in urban and suburban areas, where they feed on insects, fruits and seeds. They are also known to raid crops, particularly in agricultural areas.
Despite their reputation as a nuisance bird, Common Grackles are important scavengers that play an important role in keeping ecosystems clean.
American Black Vulture
The American Black Vulture is another large black bird seen in Ohio. These birds are scavengers and are often seen in large groups, feeding on carrion.
They are known for their bare red heads and distinctive white wingtips. American Black Vultures are also migratory birds, but typically spend the winter in the southern United States.
Like the Turkey Vulture, American Black Vultures rely on thermal currents to help them soar through the air. They are generally harmless to humans.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Habitat | Diet | Migration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Crow | Corvus brachyrhynchos | Urban, suburban, forest, wetland | Insects, small animals, fruit, carrion | No |
| Turkey Vulture | Cathartes aura | Open areas, forest | Carrion | Yes |
| Raven | Corvus corax | Wooded, urban, suburban | Scavenger, small prey | No |
| Common Grackle | Quiscalus quiscula | Urban, suburban | Insects, fruit, seeds | No |
| American Black Vulture | Coragyps atratus | Open areas, forest | Carrion | Yes |
Overall, large black birds are an important part of Ohio's wildlife community. Through scavenging and other ecological roles, they contribute to the health and balance of the state's ecosystems. If you're interested in seeing these birds up close, consider visiting a local park or nature reserve, where many species can be easily observed.
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