Birds and Birding at the Museum

Learn about birds, join birding events, and discover birding resources in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio 

From birding in our nature preserves to exploring the exhibits in our galleries, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History offers many opportunities to learn about birds.  

Birding 

Our naturalists lead regular birding walks at Mentor Marsh. If you’re interested in birding in Cleveland or learning about birding in Northeast Ohio, joining a hike with experienced birders is a great way to improve your birding skills.   

See more events on the Museum's calendar.

Many of our birding events occur at our Mentor Marsh preserve. The restoration of the marsh, led by Museum scientists and stewardship staff, has resulted in a birding mecca a mere half an hour from Cleveland!  

Birds at the Museum 

The Museum itself is a pretty birdy place. Among other things, you can: 

• Learn about the evolution of flight in the Museum’s Evolving Life Wing.
• Hone your powers of observation by identifying birds in the Ames Family Curiosity Center. 
• See bald eagles, barn owls, and other birds in person at the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank.   

More Information About Birds 

• The Museum’s blog features several bird-related blog posts, including: 
  • Why Millions of Birds are Migrating Through Ohio Right Now 
  • The Story of Mentor Marsh: How a Devastated Ecosystem Gained a Hopeful New Chapter
    
  • Spring Bird Migration Has Begun: Birds on the Move in Northern Ohio
    
  • Citizen Science: A Guide to Getting Started 
    
  • A Beginner Birder's Guide to Fall Migration in Cleveland
  • The Recovery of the Bald Eagle in Ohio
• Birding information is posted regularly on the Mentor Marsh Facebook page. 
• Learn about identifying bird species at Mentor Marsh with Birdnet Pi.   
• Get involved—for birds! Learn about opportunities to volunteer and practice citizen science.