Birds of Illinois
The birds most often spotted in Illinois, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
329,513
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds
Naturalists have logged 329,513 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Illinois. The most frequently seen is the House Sparrow, with 18,760 recorded sightings.
Most-observed birds in Illinois
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
18,760 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
18,685 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
18,143 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
17,912 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
15,859 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
14,283 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
10,133 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
9,686 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
9,329 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
9,010 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
8,547 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
7,821 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
7,538 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
6,722 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
6,550 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
5,926 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
5,565 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
5,542 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
5,377 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
5,358 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
5,323 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
5,295 observations · iNaturalist
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
5,242 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
4,929 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
4,793 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
4,761 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
4,575 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
4,567 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
4,566 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
4,478 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
4,405 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
4,350 observations
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
4,207 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
4,191 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
4,165 observations
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
3,988 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
3,985 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
3,838 observations
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
3,759 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
3,746 observations
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
3,574 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
3,492 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
3,483 observations
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
3,445 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
3,435 observations
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
3,365 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
3,308 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
3,273 observations
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
3,171 observations
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
3,058 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.