WhenToBird

7 blackbird species in Ohio

When Do Grackles and blackbirds Arrive in Ohio?

Adult male Red-winged Blackbird
Photo: infiniteuniverse, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Brown-headed Cowbirds are the grackles and blackbirds you are most likely to see in Ohio. Red-winged Blackbirds reach Ohio in early February, are common by late February, peak in the second week of May (66% of checklists), and most are gone by early November.

When to look

First arrivalsFeb 1-7early February
Common byFeb 22-28late February
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byNov 1-7early November

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals early February; most are gone by early November. Peak: on about 66% of Ohio checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febcommon
  3. Marpeak season
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepuncommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decrare

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Grackles and blackbirds in Ohio, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Red-winged BlackbirdFeb 1-7Feb 22-28May 8-14Nov 1-766%
Common GrackleFeb 8-14Feb 22-28May 15-21Aug 22-3144%
Brown-headed CowbirdFeb 8-14Mar 22-31Apr 22-30Jul 8-1443%
Eastern MeadowlarkFeb 15-21Mar 1-7Jun 8-14Aug 1-79.2%
Rusty BlackbirdFeb 8-14Feb 8-14Apr 8-14May 8-145.6%
BobolinkApr 22-30Apr 22-30Jun 8-14Sep 15-213.6%
Yellow-headed BlackbirdApr 22-30Apr 22-30May 8-14Jun 1-71.1%
0%20%40%60%80%Red-winged BlackbirdCommon GrackleBrown-headed CowbirdEastern MeadowlarkJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Common Grackle
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  • Eastern Meadowlark
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Ohio that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Ohio

Best counties for Red-winged Blackbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Ottawa CountyBest the second week of June · 476 checklists that week, 51,024 in all87%
  2. Union CountyBest early June · 302 checklists that week, 12,023 in all86%
  3. Hardin CountyBest early June · 117 checklists that week, 4,583 in all85%
  4. Wyandot CountyBest early June · 81 checklists that week, 6,235 in all85%
  5. Logan CountyBest early July · 189 checklists that week, 10,014 in all84%
  6. Madison CountyBest the second week of June · 85 checklists that week, 5,206 in all82%

Common questions

When do grackles and blackbirds arrive in Ohio?
Red-winged Blackbirds reach Ohio in early February, are common by late February, peak in the second week of May (66% of checklists), and most are gone by early November.
When do grackles and blackbirds leave Ohio?
Most Red-winged Blackbirds have left Ohio by early November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late November.
When is the best time to see grackles and blackbirds in Ohio?
The Red-winged Blackbird is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 66% of Ohio checklists.
Which grackles and blackbirds are in Ohio?
Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird, Bobolink, and Yellow-headed Blackbird are reported regularly; the Red-winged Blackbird is the most common.