All of the birds on display at the Sanctuary have been injured or have conditions that make them unreleasable. This page contains a listing of all of our current display and education birds, giving a brief summary of the species and the story behind why each bird is at the sanctuary. Many of our display birds are retired educational birds, and many of the educational birds are also on display.
RED TAILED HAWK
The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo Jamaicensis) is the largest hawk species in Ohio.
Nicknamed the chicken hawk, this large hawk can be seen hunting meadows and roadways from its perch on a power pole or dead tree. The prefer to dine on rodents rabbits and snakes.
Both sexes are colored the same but the female red-tail is larger then the male. Adults have a reddish colored tail , brown back and light colored chest. Juveniles (a bird not of breeding age) have a brown banded tail. They don’t molt in a red-tail until they are almost three years old. Red-tails make their nests from sticks and grass and raise up to three young a year.
Our Birds
[ Cooper ]
PEREGRINE FALCON
The peregrine falcon is the fastest known species of bird. They have been clocked at 250 mph in power dives. They take down their prey in spectacular aerial maneuvers. Peregrines are able to capture birds in flight but often strike their prey in head at great speeds then return to gather their prize and carry off to a safe location to dine.
The peregrine inhabits cliff ledges usually along the water. They have adapted to living in large cities on account that the builds simulate cliff ledges and provide an unless supply of pigeons. Ohio has Peregrine nesting in six of their major cities.
The peregrine was on the verge of extinction by the end of the 1960 due to the use of pesticide DDT. This pesticide is passed easily through the food chain and become concentrated in the species that are at the top. The peregrine became unable to produce young and the species declined rapidly. Through the ban of DDT and the reintroduction programs established by the peregrine fund. This species is on its way to a healthy recovery.
Our Birds
[ Bullet ][ Legacy ]
AMERICAN KESTREL
The American Kestrel (Falco Sparverius) is the smallest falcon species in Ohio. Nicknamed the sparrow hawk, this small falcon can be seen hunting meadows and roadways from its perch on a power line. Kestrels are cavity nesters and often will raise young in hollow trees, buildings and manmade bird houses.
Kestrels are one of the few birds of prey where there is a difference in color between the males and females. The males have slate blue wings, a rusty-red tail and a buff- colored chest with black teardrops. The female’s wings are speckled brown with a brown banded tail and speckled chest.
Our Birds
[ Ditch ]
[ Machni ]
BALD EAGLE
The Bald Eagle is only found on the North American continent. The largest population of Bald Eagles can be found on the north west coast.
This species does not have its characteristic white head and tail until is 6 year of life. During the first five years their feathers transform from brown and speckled to a dark bronze with a snow white head and tail.
The Bald Eagle hunts mammals and fish with powerful talons but also will eat carrion and pirate food from smaller predators. They build their nest in tall, dead trees often adjacent to water. The nests are large enough for a grown man to lie prone.
Our Birds
[ Clearfork Bald Eagle Nest ]
BARRED OWL
The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is a medium-size owl with a large round head and dark brown eyes. The Barred Owl lacks ear-tufts and is easily identified by the vertical bars on its chest.
The Barred Owl inhabits wet, wooded areas preying on rodents, reptiles and amphibians. Their call can be heard resounding through night “ Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all”.
Our Birds
[ Apollo ]
[ Barkley ]
BARN OWL
The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is a medium-size owl with a white heart-shaped face and tawny back and tail. The Barn Owl nests in caves, barns, hollow trees and abandoned buildings.
Once common in Ohio, the Barn Owl is now struggling for its survival due to the loss of grassland habitat. These beautiful birds depend on open moist grassland habitat for their primary prey source, the Meadow Vole.
Our Birds
[ Athena ] [ Monty ]
GREAT HORNED OWL
The Great-horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) is a large owl with bright yellow eyes and distinct tufts of feathers adorning it head. They have a white bib which can be seen in flight or when they are extending the throat during hooting. The Great horned is often called the flighted tiger because of its aggressive hunting methods.
One of Ohio’s most common species of owl, the Great horned raises it young in old crow and Red-tail Hawk nest or in the hollow of a tree. The owls mate in February and the young hatch by late March. The downy chicks grow rapidly and learn to fly within three months of hatching. The young learn to hunt rodents, snakes, mammals and even other owls.
Our Birds
[ Seymour ] [ Iris ]
EASTERN SCREECH OWL
The Screech-Owl (Otis asio) is a small owl with ear-tufts and large, yellow eyes. The Eastern Screech-Owl has two color phases; red or grey. These small owls inhabit woodlots, parks and residential areas and prefer to nest and roost in hollow trees. Nesting boxes can be erected to attract this small predator to your backyard. Screech-Owls primarily prey on small rodents and insects.
Our Birds
[ Lazurus ] [ Avery ]
Short Eared Owl
One of the few diurnal owl species, the Shorteared Owl winters in the lower 50 states and breeds in the tundras of Canada. They can be seen in Ohio in the winter hunting low over large open fields in small hunting groups
Our Birds
[ Wink ]
AMERICAN CROW
The American Crow is an omnivore. Their diet
consists of small animals, invertebrates, fruit, nuts and insects.
The American Crow will live in urban and rural environments. They are very social and dedicated to their family members.
Our Birds
[ CeCe ]
TURKEY VULTURE
Turkey Vultures feed primarily on carrion (dead animals). Identified by a characteristic red head, The Turkey Vulture flies withtheir wings held in a upward V. The juveniles have a dark head and are often mistaken as Black Vultures. Turkey Vultures nest on the ground in fallen trees, caves or old barn foundations.
Our Birds
[ Icabod ]
[ Ralph ]
HARRIS HAWK
Native to the Southwestern United States the Harris Hawk is found in the deserts and other arid regions of the U.S. and Mexico. this species hunts in family units with the previous years young often helping raise the current year's brood. Long, scaly legs help this hawk flush prey out of thorny shrub.
Our Birds
[ Phoenix ]
TAWNY OWL
Strix is a southern European species of owl related to the Barred and Spotted owl. She was transferred to the Sanctuary in 1996. The Tawny owl is an urban species living a similar environment as the eastern Screech owl. Feeds on small rodents, amphibians and insects. Life expectancy 15 to 20 years.
Our Birds
[ Strix ]