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Birds of Chicago, Illinois

The birds most often spotted near Chicago, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

131,543
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 131,543 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species near Chicago. The most frequently seen is the American Robin, with 7,634 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds near Chicago

American Robin
Turdus migratorius
7,634 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
6,885 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
6,816 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
6,472 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
6,164 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
5,444 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
4,385 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
4,065 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
3,635 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
3,353 observations
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
3,314 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
3,286 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
3,265 observations
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
2,902 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
2,760 observations · iNaturalist
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
2,736 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
2,638 observations
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
2,529 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
2,516 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
2,407 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
2,401 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
2,256 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
2,208 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
2,192 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
2,045 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
2,008 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
1,990 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
1,967 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
1,819 observations
Palm Warbler
Setophaga palmarum
1,751 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
1,717 observations
Common Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula
1,662 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
1,643 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
1,563 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
1,540 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
1,515 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
1,509 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
1,484 observations
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
1,376 observations
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
1,337 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
1,334 observations
Swainson's Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
1,286 observations
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
1,266 observations
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Regulus satrapa
1,262 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
1,251 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
1,217 observations
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
1,201 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
1,185 observations
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
1,184 observations
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
1,168 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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