Oak Harbor, Ohio, Mural Celebrates
Birds, Wildlife, and the Natural World!

For more information, photos, and audio recordings, please see the dropdown menu below the interactive mural.
To see the mural in person, visit the corner of St. Rt. 19 and St. Rt. 163, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449

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​What is most uniquely Oak Harbor, Ohio? That question guided every brushstroke of our first community mural. The answer became clear: our remarkable wildlife defines us. 

Oak Harbor sits at the heart of one of North America's most significant migratory bird corridors and within one of the nation's most recognized ecological regions. The species represented here are so distinctive that wildlife enthusiasts could identify our humble village on a world map. 

This mural, designed and brought to life by the Cleveland Mural Company, is a celebration of the birds and wildlife that shape our identity and reminds us why our home is truly unlike any other. 

​The mural was made possible thanks to building owner Rich Farmer, Oak Harbor Development Group, Village of Oak Harbor, Shores & Islands Ohio, Park District of Ottawa County, Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Friends of Magee Marsh, Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife, and other anonymous donors. Those wishing to support future public art projects in Oak Harbor can contribute by mailing or dropping off a check made out to Oak Harbor Development Group at 161 W. Water St., Oak Harbor, OH 43449, or by donating online at OHDG's website: https://ohdg.org/. The first $2,500 in donations will be matched by Kocher & Barney, LLC. 

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Hovering over or tapping on any of the Black Swamp Bird Observatory logo icons will reveal the name of the species. ​For more information, photos, and audio recordings, please see the dropdown menu below the interactive mural.

Species Profiles

bald eagle

Species: Bald Eagle

Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Population Status: Common

Overview: The Bald Eagle, our national symbol, is probably the most widely recognized bird in the country with its dark brown body and iconic white head. It takes them a while to achieve this classic look, though; young Bald Eagles are mottled brown and will take about five years to gain their adult plumage. The recovery of the Bald Eagle population in Ohio is one of the state’s greatest success stories; in 1979, there were only four breeding pairs in the state, but after years of hard work, there are currently about 1,000 nests throughout Ohio. The highest concentration of eagles in the state is found right here in the western Lake Erie marsh region, with about 125 nests in Ottawa County alone.

Threats: Bald Eagles, like almost all birds in the U.S., are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have anything to worry about. Since eagles often scavenge their food, they’re susceptible to lead poisoning from prey that has been shot and vehicle collisions when eating roadkill. Collisions with wind turbines and avian influenza can also be an issue.

Anthony Gliozzo, XC698517. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/698517.

belted kingfisher

Species: Belted Kingfisher 

Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon

Population Status: Common

Overview: Belted Kingfishers are the only kingfisher in much of their range (including here). They are found throughout the majority of the continent and are year-round residents in most of the U.S. Kingfishers are distinctively top heavy with large heads and beaks and tiny feet. Belted Kingfishers are unusual because the females are more colorful than the males, something that doesn’t often happen in the bird world. While both sexes are blue-gray on top and white on the belly with a blue-gray band across the chest, females have a rust-colored second band. Theories abound, but the reason behind this is still unknown. 

Threats: Although Belted Kingfishers are officially of low conservation concern, they did experience a steady population decline from 1966 to 2019. The reason for this decline is, for the most part, unclear. One possibility is that it has to do with their nesting sites: Kingfishers nest in burrows in banks, typically near streams but sometimes in places like ditches or gravel pits. This means that their nesting habitat is somewhat limited, and, as they are sensitive to disturbance, if human activity is nearby, they may abandon their burrow. 

Stanislas Wroza, XC1019917. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/1019917.

black-eyed susan

"Black-eyed Susan" by G. Edward Johnson is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

​Species: Black-eyed Susan

Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta

Population Status: Common

Overview: Bright and summery, the Black-eyed Susan is a favorite for many. One to three feet tall, it has bright yellow petals and a dark center and blooms from summer to early fall. Black-eyed Susan is a native prairie plant, but it’s tolerant of a wide range of conditions, so it’s probably more widely known as an easy-to-grow garden perennial. In fact, it is what’s known as a “pioneer plant,” meaning it is one of the first species to colonize an area after a disturbance. 

Threats: Black-eyed Susan is widespread and abundant, so it isn’t seriously threatened by much, at the moment. It is susceptible to some common plant pests and diseases, though, like aphids, powdery mildew, and white smut, so that’s something to keep an eye on when growing it in your garden. Furthermore, while not endangered itself, it is a native of the prairie habitat, which is an endangered habitat throughout the U.S. If you have an interest in conservation, you can help by planting some native prairie plants in your garden or by creating a prairie patch in your backyard, even if it’s just a small one!

blackburnian warbler

Species: Blackburnian Warbler 

Scientific Name: Setophaga fusca

Population Status: Common

Overview: Blink and you’ll miss them, these fiery little warblers are only in Ohio during the spring and fall migration. In Northwest Ohio, peak spring movement tends to be around May 12-22 while peak fall movement is September 8-24. Blackburnian Warblers usually like to forage and nest in the treetops, so migration is actually a better time to see them as they’re more likely to be at eye-level. Males stand out as they are the only North American Warbler that has an orange throat, but females are a little more muted with yellow and gray instead of black and orange.

Threats: The Blackburnian Warbler population is currently stable but is facing some pressure from deforestation in both its wintering habitat in South America and its breeding habitat in southern Canada and the Appalachians. Additionally, since these birds prefer coniferous trees, they have suffered from invasive insects that feed on and damage conifers, like the balsam woolly adelgid and the hemlock woolly adelgid. Also, like all migratory birds, there are many dangers associated with migration, like stormy weather, disorientation from artificial light at night, and the risk of striking a window. 

Stanislas Wroza, XC1014269. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/1014269.

channel catfish

"Channel Catfish" by Ryan Somma is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Species: Channel Catfish

Scientific Name: Ictalurus punctatus

Population Status: Common

Overview: While not all catfish around the world actually have them, catfish are named for the prominent barbels, or “whiskers,” around their mouth. North American catfish, however, like the Channel Catfish, do all have these whiskers—8 of them, in fact! A more unusual trait that the Channel Catfish shares with its relatives is that it has no scales. The average catfish is between 2 and 10 pounds, but they can become very large in their old age.

Threats: Overall, the Channel Catfish population in Ohio is stable. However, higher temperatures can be a problem: warm water has less dissolved oxygen in it, and this can be detrimental to some fish, including Channel Catfish, and can lead to large fish kills. Contaminants in water can also be a problem, sometimes more so for humans eating the fish than for the fish themselves. Channel Catfish are bottom feeders, which, even more so than other fish, tend to accumulate contaminants such as mercury and PCBs faster than they can eliminate them. As such, it is recommended to only eat Channel Catfish once per month in many areas of Ohio, including Lake Erie.

greater yellowlegs

Species: Greater Yellowlegs

Scientific Name: Tringa melanoleuca

Population Status: Common

Overview: Greater Yellowlegs is a fairly large sandpiper that, true to its name, has relatively thick legs that are bright yellow. Very few species of shorebird nest in Ohio as most just pass through on their way to breeding grounds up north. Greater Yellowlegs is no exception; however, they spend a longer time in the area in than most other shorebirds as they are among the first to arrive and the last to leave in both the spring and the fall. Like other shorebirds, they don’t just hang out along the shore! Flooded fields, marshes, and mudflats are all fair game when it comes to foraging habitat.

Threats: The Greater Yellowlegs population seems to be stable at the moment, but shorebirds in general are facing overall population declines. A key driving factor of these declines is habitat loss. Historically, the wetlands on which these birds depend have been drained to create farmland or space for development; Ohio itself has lost over 90% of its original wetlands. This highlights the importance of the work that several organizations in Northwest Ohio are doing to reclaim farmland and convert it back to wetlands. 

Thomas Magarian, XC779310. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/779310.

monarch butterfly

​Species: Monarch Butterfly

Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus

Population Status: Vulnerable (?)

Overview: Probably Ohio’s (and the country’s) most popular butterfly, monarchs are famous for their incredible migrations: adults migrate to Mexico in the fall, overwinter, and then return north, stopping to lay eggs on their way. Since adults only live about ten months (a long time for a butterfly!), they don’t necessarily make it back to Ohio. Instead, the eggs that they laid will hatch, form a chrysalis, turn into a butterfly, and then that generation may be the adults that return the rest of the way north. Migrating monarchs can form huge swarms that will all rest in one patch—an amazing spectacle that occasionally occurs in Ohio.

Threats: Although sometimes difficult to measure, Monarch Butterflies seem to be declining throughout their range. One reason for this is loss of overwintering habitat in Mexico, although Mexico has since taken steps to protect these areas. Another threat occurs in North America: the loss of prairies and grasslands, along with the use of pesticides. Luckily, if you have a yard, you can help! Plant native milkweeds and other native plants to create a pollinator patch, even if it’s just a small one.

pickerelweed

"Pontederia cordata" by Cephas is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

Species: Pickerelweed

Scientific Name: Pontederia cordata

Population Status: Common

Overview: Pickerelweed is an attractive plant with a spike of bluish-purple flowers that rises from the marsh in colonies. An emergent plant, it is rooted in the ground underwater and can be up to four feet tall with about a foot of the plant submerged. It has green, heart-shaped leaves that give it its species name: “Cordata” is derived from Latin and means “heart-shaped.” This native plant is a true team player; pollinators visit its flowers, waterfowl eat its seeds, and its dense growth provides shelter for fish, insects, and other wildlife. Many parts of the plant have historically been eaten by humans, as well.

Threats: As a wetland plant, Pickerelweed is threatened by loss of habitat as wetlands have rapidly disappeared throughout our nation’s history. Ohio, in particular, has lost over 90% of the wetlands that we used to have. Additionally, Pickerelweed, among other native wetland plants, faces competition from several non-native, invasive plants, like Phragmites and Purple Loosestrife. In Ohio, Pickerelweed is still doing well and has a stable population, but it isn’t so lucky in other parts of its native range, which highlights the importance of conservation.

red-winged blackbird

Species: Red-winged Blackbird

Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus

Population Status: Common

Overview: Up here in the marshes of Northwest Ohio, Red-winged Blackbirds are a common sight, but they’re easily found throughout the rest of the state, as well. Males are aptly-named: Adults are glossy black with vibrant red epaulets edged in yellow. Females are less showy and are often confused with sparrows due to their overall streaky brown appearance, but they frequently show rosy shoulders, if you look closely. Red-winged Blackbirds are year-round residents in Ohio, although “ours” may winter farther south while birds from the north winter here, depending on weather conditions. Either way, a male Red-winged Blackbird sitting on a perch and singing his “conk-a-REEEEE” song is a sure sign of spring!

Threats: Red-winged Blackbirds are currently abundant, but their populations have declined in recent years, although exact causes for this have yet to be pinpointed. The decline is likely to be related, at least in part, to habitat loss as wetlands and grasslands are preferred by Red-winged Blackbirds and are among the fastest-disappearing habitats. Historically, these birds were persecuted due to the crop damage they can cause, but they are now protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Frank Lambert, XC408982. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/408982.

Sandhill crane

Species: Sandhill Crane

Scientific Name: Antigone canadensis

Population Status: Common (endangered in Ohio)

Overview: Sandhill Cranes are larger than but related to herons and egrets and look similar with long necks and long legs. One trick to telling them apart in flight is that herons and egrets fly with their necks tucked in an S-shape while cranes fly with their necks outstretched. A good place to see Sandhill Cranes in this area is at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. When visiting in the spring, you may even be lucky enough to see the cranes perform their dance! This dance involves many quick steps, some jumps, spread wings, and bows. Although most often seen as part of courtship, these dances do occur sporadically throughout the year, as well.

Threats: Although populations are stable throughout the majority of their range, Sandhill Cranes are very dependent on certain stopover sites during their migration and can thus be affected by loss or degradation of those habitats. Furthermore, they reproduce relatively slowly as they typically only lay two eggs per year, and often only one of those eggs makes it to fledging, so any hit to the population can take a while to recover from.

Sue Riffe, XC961064. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/961064.

swamp rose mallow

"Swamp rose-mallow" by The Cosmonaut is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

Species: Swamp Rose Mallow

Scientific Name: Hibiscus moscheutos

Population Status: Common

Overview: You could be forgiven for thinking that there’s no way this plant is native to Ohio…but it is! Swamp Rose Mallow is a hibiscus that’s native to the eastern U.S. and is common in Ohio wetlands. These plants can grow up to ten feet tall, and the pink, white, or red flowers can be up to 9 inches across. Each flower is usually only open for one or two days, but multiple flowers and buds on each plant lead to an extended blooming period from midsummer to early fall. The flowers are very popular with pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Threats: Like other species on this list, Swamp Rose Mallow itself is not currently of conservation concern, but it does live in wetlands, an endangered habitat. Additionally, while the interaction does not appear to have been studied yet, it is possible that Swamp Rose Mallow is losing habitat and being outcompeted by the rapid expansion of invasive Phragmites, an aggressive wetland grass. It is also likely that there are negative interactions with other non-native, invasive wetland plants, such as Purple Loosestrife and certain cattails. 

trumpeter swan

Species: Trumpeter Swan 

Scientific Name: Cygnus buccinator

Population Status: Rare 

Overview: Named after their loud, bugling call, Trumpeter Swans are the largest native North American waterbird. In Ohio, they are a conservation success story: Extirpated from the state by the 1800s, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife began a reintroduction program in 1996. The reintroduction has been a huge success with nearly 900 swans living in Ohio today, leading the species to be removed from the state threatened list in 2024. While some Trumpeter Swans are migratory, Northwest Ohio is a great place to see them year-round, especially in areas like Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Magee Marsh Wildlife Area.

Threats: In general, there are no major threats to Trumpeter Swans today, and their population continues to increase. Due to their near extinction throughout the U.S., it is currently illegal to hunt them in all 50 states, although accidental shootings do occur. The population is still affected by other pressures, however, like lead poisoning, habitat loss, collisions with power lines, human disturbance, and avian influenza. In Ohio, the Division of Wildlife keeps a close eye on the swan population through yearly surveys.

Andrew Spencer, XC104391. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/104391.

white water-lily

"Nymphaea odorata" by Cephas is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

Species: White Water-lily

Scientific Name: Nymphaea odorata

Population Status: Common

Overview: White Water-lily is also known as American White Lily and Fragrant or Sweet-scented White Water Lily. Its species name, “odorata,” is a result of that sweet scent. It is probably one of our most widely recognized wetland plants and is one of several different water-lily species that are native to the state. This species in particular has the typical lilypad shape with huge, cleft, round leaves that float on top of the water. The large, white flowers (sometimes pink) open in the mornings and close in the afternoons. The flowers are attractive to pollinators, particularly some beetles, and the leaves and stalks provide food for some animals, like turtles and muskrats.

Threats: In Ohio, White Water-lily is common and widely-distributed throughout the state. It faces some similar threats to other wetland plants, though, like historic loss of habitat due to the decline of wetlands. Interestingly, though, due to its habit of growing in a dense mat that can block out the light for other aquatic plants, it has been declared to be invasive in several areas where it has been introduced, like California and Washington. 

white-tailed deer

Species: White-tailed Deer

Scientific Name: Odocoileus virginianus

Population Status: Common

Overview: The White-tailed Deer is the only deer species in Ohio. Usually found in forests and fields, they have adapted well to suburban areas and can even be found in city parks. White-tailed Deer are active year-round and are crepuscular, meaning that they are usually most active around dawn and dusk. Mating season for these deer is known as the rut and takes place in the fall. Gestation lasts throughout the winter, and females give birth in the spring. Male deer are known for their large antlers, which start to grow in the spring and then fall off in mid- to late winter.

Threats: Since they are active during times when visibility is poor, deer are particularly vulnerable to being hit by drivers. If you see a deer on the road, try honking your horn; they can be blinded by headlights and may react more quickly to a warning sound. Deer are also susceptible to certain diseases, like Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). Overpopulation can encourage the spread of these illnesses. In Ohio, where deer have few natural predators, hunting is an effective population control technique.

yellow perch

"Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)" by USFWS Mountain Prairie is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

Species: Yellow Perch

Scientific Name: Perca flavescens

Population Status: Common

Overview: Native to Ohio, Yellow Perch can be found in lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving streams, but they are most easily found in Lake Erie. Because of the abundance from the lake, most Ohio restaurants market their perch as Lake Erie Perch instead of Yellow Perch. They are also sometimes known as ringed perch due to their striped appearance—dark vertical bars on a yellow or greenish body. Yellow Perch are related to another popular Lake Erie sport fish, the Walleye, but are smaller and do not share the same sharp teeth.

Threats: While the Yellow Perch population is currently stable, especially in the Western Basin of Lake Erie, they still face some significant threats. One of these threats is warming temperatures: perch prefer cooler water and can become stressed when the lake gets too warm. This affects anglers, as well, as the fish cope by either moving to deeper, cooler water in other parts of the lake or by simply shutting down, meaning they’re not biting on baited hooks. Furthermore, Yellow Perch prefer clearer water with aquatic vegetation, and invasive carp can increase turbidity and compete with perch for food. 

yellow warbler

Species: Yellow Warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga petechia

Population Status: Common

Overview: A well-named warbler, Yellow Warbler males are bright yellow with rusty streaks on the breast while females are similar but paler. Their song is just as cheery as their appearance and is commonly transcribed as “sweet-sweet-sweet, I’m-so-sweet.” Northwest Ohio is famous for the warbler migration that passes through in the spring, but, while most of those warblers keep heading north to breed, many Yellow Warblers stay in our area throughout the summer. They actually nest in every county in Ohio and are found throughout much of the entire continent. In the fall, they migrate to Central and South America to spend the winter.

Threats: Many warblers are threatened by habitat loss, but the Yellow Warbler utilizes a variety of habitats, especially edge habitats, so they are actually doing well throughout most of their range. They are particularly susceptible to nest parasitism by cowbirds (cowbirds do not build nests of their own and instead lay eggs in other birds’ nests), but some Yellow Warblers will combat this by putting new nest material over the existing eggs and laying a new clutch on top.

David Darrell-Lambert, XC1082039. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/1082039.

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