Focal Species
Because habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation are primary drivers of population declines, our planning philosophy focused on conservation of habitats needed by focal bird species (i.e., species prioritized for conservation efforts) in Ohio. To aid in the identification of focal species within the state, we used the PIF Avian Conservation Assessment and Population Estimates databases and resources provided by the regional joint ventures (UMGL JV and AMJV). We also designated focal species as those for which Ohio has high conservation responsibility, that use unique habitats within the state, and are identified as species of greatest conservation need in the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s State Wildlife Action Plan. Species listed below are included in the Second Ohio All-Bird Conservation Plan, and organized by terrestrial and aquatic habitats (some focal species may be included in both lists).
Focal Species for Ohio associated with land
- Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
- Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)
- Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
- Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor)
- Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus)
- Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)
- American Woodcock (Scolopax minor)
- American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica)
- Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
- Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda)
- Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
- Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
- Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
- Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
- Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
- American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
- Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens)
- Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)
- Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)
- Common Raven (Corvus corax)
- Veery (Catharus fuscescens)
- Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)
- Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum)
- Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus)
- Henslow’s Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii)
- American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea)
- Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens)
- Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
- Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
- Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)
- Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla)
- Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera)
- Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)
- Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa)
- Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea)
- Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)
Focal Species for Ohio associated with water
- Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
- Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
- Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)
- American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
- Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
- Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
- Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)
- Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
- Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)
- King Rail (Rallus elegans)
- Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola)
- Sora (Porzana carolina)
- Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)
- American Coot (Fulica americana)
- Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis)
- Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)
- American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica)
- Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
- Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
- American Woodcock (Scolopax minor)
- Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
- Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)
- Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus)
- Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata)
- Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
- Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)
- Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
- Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)
- Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
- Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
- Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)
- Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
- Common Loon (Gavia immer)
- American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)
- Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis)
- Great Egret (Ardea alba)
- Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
- Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
- Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
- Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)