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Birds of Chicago, Illinois

The birds most often spotted near Chicago, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

130,979
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 130,979 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species near Chicago. The most frequently seen is the American Robin, with 7,625 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds near Chicago

American Robin
Turdus migratorius
7,625 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
6,848 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
6,796 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
6,463 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
6,134 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
5,426 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
4,344 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
4,037 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
3,614 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
3,332 observations
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
3,310 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
3,263 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
3,242 observations
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
2,901 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
2,727 observations · iNaturalist
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
2,712 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
2,631 observations
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
2,514 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
2,511 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
2,391 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
2,389 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
2,248 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
2,198 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
2,183 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
2,041 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
2,003 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
1,984 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
1,951 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
1,810 observations
Palm Warbler
Setophaga palmarum
1,748 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
1,715 observations
Common Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula
1,662 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
1,641 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
1,560 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
1,537 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
1,507 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
1,502 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
1,481 observations
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
1,367 observations
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
1,337 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
1,327 observations
Swainson's Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
1,284 observations
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
1,265 observations
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Regulus satrapa
1,255 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
1,251 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
1,214 observations
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
1,186 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
1,177 observations
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
1,171 observations
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
1,164 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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