Birds of Illinois
The birds most often spotted in Illinois, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
Most-observed birds in Illinois
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
18,150 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
17,670 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
17,301 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
15,414 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
14,966 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
13,850 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
9,466 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
9,155 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
9,046 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
8,792 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
8,214 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
7,519 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
7,495 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
6,436 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
6,374 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
5,766 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
5,430 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
5,383 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
5,260 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
5,226 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
5,085 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
5,044 observations · iNaturalist
Great Egret
Ardea alba
4,938 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
4,838 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
4,686 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
4,572 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
4,550 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
4,465 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
4,462 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
4,423 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
4,225 observations
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
4,121 observations · iNaturalist
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
4,047 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
4,038 observations
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
3,798 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
3,742 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
3,726 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
3,685 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
3,628 observations
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
3,572 observations
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
3,547 observations
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
3,429 observations · iNaturalist
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
3,358 observations
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
3,274 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
3,232 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
3,207 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
3,177 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
3,153 observations
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
3,038 observations
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
3,009 observations