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Birds of Michigan

The birds most often spotted in Michigan, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

559,865
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 559,865 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Michigan. The most frequently seen is the Mallard, with 32,454 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Michigan

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
32,454 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
29,731 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
28,265 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
25,060 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
20,821 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
19,887 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
16,357 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
16,257 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
16,177 observations
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
15,648 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
15,048 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
13,556 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
13,509 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
13,361 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
13,162 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
12,342 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
11,949 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
11,867 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
10,861 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
10,119 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
9,928 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
9,610 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
8,610 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
8,538 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
8,419 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
8,416 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
8,341 observations
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
8,270 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
7,614 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
7,576 observations · iNaturalist
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
7,412 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
7,210 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
7,113 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
6,866 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
6,809 observations
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
6,670 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
6,667 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
6,637 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
6,448 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
6,337 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
6,266 observations
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
6,211 observations
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
6,139 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
6,101 observations
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
6,032 observations
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
5,972 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
5,967 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
5,895 observations
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
5,861 observations
Northern Yellow Warbler
Setophaga aestiva
5,499 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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