Birds of Illinois
The birds most often spotted in Illinois, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
334,795
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds
Naturalists have logged 334,795 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Illinois. The most frequently seen is the House Sparrow, with 19,472 recorded sightings.
Most-observed birds in Illinois
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
19,472 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
18,824 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
18,367 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
18,075 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
16,084 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
14,374 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
10,445 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
9,904 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
9,459 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
9,155 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
8,710 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
8,051 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
7,554 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
6,855 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
6,620 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
5,962 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
5,623 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
5,619 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
5,481 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
5,460 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
5,447 observations · iNaturalist
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
5,406 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
5,339 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
4,996 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
4,877 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
4,805 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
4,622 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
4,619 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
4,583 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
4,515 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
4,475 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
4,471 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
4,457 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
4,281 observations
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
4,240 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
4,093 observations
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
4,026 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
3,857 observations
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
3,807 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
3,773 observations
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
3,582 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
3,551 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
3,532 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
3,518 observations
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
3,448 observations
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
3,417 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
3,369 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
3,312 observations
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
3,210 observations
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
3,073 observations
Birds in nearby places
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