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Birds of Michigan

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

568,312
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 568,312 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Michigan. The most frequently seen is the Mallard, with 32,932 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Michigan

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
32,932 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
30,094 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
28,557 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
25,186 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
21,048 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
20,382 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
16,732 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
16,542 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
16,360 observations
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
15,923 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
15,368 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
13,900 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
13,674 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
13,671 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
13,391 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
12,736 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
12,222 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
12,087 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
10,983 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
10,335 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
10,051 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
9,677 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
8,927 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
8,572 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
8,557 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
8,535 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
8,443 observations
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
8,388 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
7,795 observations · iNaturalist
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
7,727 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
7,596 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
7,309 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
7,176 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
6,976 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
6,940 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
6,861 observations
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
6,740 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
6,695 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
6,590 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
6,352 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
6,279 observations
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
6,231 observations
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
6,154 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
6,128 observations
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
6,047 observations
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
6,035 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
5,993 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
5,981 observations
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
5,889 observations
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
5,545 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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