Meet Our Animals!
The mission of the Ohio Bird Sanctuary includes rehabilitation of native species of birds. Our goal is always to release admitted injured or orphaned birds back into the wild. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. The Sanctuary is home to over 60 permanent residents (including raptors, vultures, and songbirds) that could not be released back into the wild.
Hawks
Highlight: Diesel (Red-shouldered Hawk) was retired from the sport of falconry when her handler realized she only wanted to hunt earthworms and grasshoppers instead of sizable prey. Diesel is a human imprint, which means she does not recognize her own species. If you visit on a mild autumn day, you may see the staff flying her in the meadow.
Other Hawks: Maverick & Ray (Red-tailed Hawks); Tundra (Rough-legged Hawk); DJ (Red-shouldered Hawk), Phoenix (Harris's Hawk)
Owls
Highlight: Seymour (Great-horned Owl) was brought to OBS as a nestling in the winter of 2004. She had broken her wing after falling from the nest and is unable to fly. Seymour now helps to educate people about the unique adaptations of owls.
Other Owls: Monty, Silo & Soren (Barn Owls); Apollo, Marshall & Maple (Barred Owls); Winnie & Duke (Eastern Screech Owls).
Falcons
Highlight: Pippin (Peregrine Falcon) was struck by a vehicle in the fall of 2013 and sustained damage to one of his wings that does not allow him to fly well enough to hunt and survive in the wild. Peregrine Falcons in the wild can reach speeds of up to 270 miles per hour in flight.
Other Falcons: Blaze (Peregrine Falcon); Niles & Grace (American Kestrels).
Eagles
Highlight: St. Alice (Bald Eagle) was brought to OBS in the summer of 2018 suffering from West Nile Virus. Inflammation from the virus caused damage to her optic nerve and balance. She is majestic example of her species and worth the time to come visit and stand in her presence.
Other Bald Eagles: Gus (Named after volunteer Angus Barton) & Tahoe.
Vultures
Highlight: Elliott (Black Vulture) was illegally hand-raised by humans before being brought to OBS in the summer of 2015. He is now a human imprint, which means he does not recognize his own species. Elliott is intelligent, like all vultures, and has a big personality, as well as a talent for getting into everything.
Other Vultures: Ichabod & Ralph (Turkey Vultures).
Crows
All of our American Crows, Sheryl, Edgar, Cece and Colee, were illegally hand-raised by humans before being brought to OBS. They are intelligent birds, capable of problem-solving and mimicry. If you visit, you may be lucky enough to hear them say “Hi”.
Songbirds
Our Aviary is home to several species of songbirds, including Blue Jays, Cardinals, Mourning Doves, Finches, and Ned the Ring-billed Gull. You may walk through our Aviary and feed the birds with cups of food purchased in the Visitor Center. The Blue Jays are very curious and may investigate your purse, watch, jewelry, etc.
Bandit is one of our Cedar Waxwings. Like many of his fellow feathered friends, if you sit quietly and earn his trust, he will eat out of your hand.
Bantam Chickens
Lucy & Chloe: Our chickens travel with our staff to preschools and are also part of our Feathered Friends program. When they are not working, they can be seen wandering around the Visitor Center or in the aviary.
Non-Avian Animals
Netherland Dwarf Rabbit
Peter is one of our animal ambassadors. He travels to preschools with our staff to educate students and is also part of our Feathered Friends program.
Eastern Box Turtle
Sheldon and Terra are two of our animal ambassadors. They accompany staff to preschools to help educate students about reptiles.
