Riperian Corridor Birds

In many areas of Ohio where the former woodlands have been reduced to small isolated woodlots (usually no more than 10 to 50 acres), the forested stream corridors extend for miles in an unbroken band and provide a large percentage of the woodland habitats required by so many species. This is particularly true for many of Ohio's breeding bird species.

The presence or absence of key indicator species is one way to assess the quality of the riparian forests found along Ohio's scenic rivers.

Riperian Corridor Birds of Ohio

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)

Common GrackleMigrant and summer resident

One of the most common nesting species in Ohio, grackles have thrived in their association with man. They are very adaptable in their choice of nest sites and the habitats they can utilize, avoiding only the interiors of large woodlands. They are common nesters around both rural and urban residences.

Grackles are one of the common and characteristic species observed along riparian corridors during the nesting season.

Along Big Darby Creek this was the fourth most common species found during a census of the breeding birds found along this stream. They were most frequently encountered in the narrower belts of forested riparian corridor.