Birds of Illinois
The birds most often spotted in Illinois, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
325,418
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds
Naturalists have logged 325,418 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Illinois. The most frequently seen is the American Robin, with 18,598 recorded sightings.
Most-observed birds in Illinois
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
18,598 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
17,959 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
17,835 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
17,771 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
15,711 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
14,232 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
9,925 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
9,498 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
9,221 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
8,941 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
8,464 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
7,725 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
7,534 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
6,570 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
6,515 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
5,898 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
5,527 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
5,512 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
5,337 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
5,324 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
5,205 observations · iNaturalist
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
5,202 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
5,197 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
4,894 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
4,769 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
4,710 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
4,557 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
4,542 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
4,531 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
4,472 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
4,354 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
4,268 observations
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
4,176 observations · iNaturalist
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
4,145 observations
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
3,947 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
3,931 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
3,916 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
3,804 observations
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
3,706 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
3,706 observations
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
3,572 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
3,458 observations
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
3,444 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
3,431 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
3,361 observations
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
3,343 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
3,267 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
3,241 observations
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
3,119 observations
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
3,053 observations
Birds in nearby places
Out spotting birds in Illinois?
Take Huck with you. Identify any bird you find in seconds and build your collection.
Get HuckLove birds? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.