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Birds of Michigan

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

565,781
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 565,781 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Michigan. The most frequently seen is the Mallard, with 32,768 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Michigan

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
32,768 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
29,983 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
28,485 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
25,150 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
20,967 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
20,258 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
16,644 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
16,456 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
16,286 observations
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
15,828 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
15,269 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
13,780 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
13,630 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
13,558 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
13,331 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
12,621 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
12,130 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
12,031 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
10,966 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
10,269 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
9,995 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
9,663 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
8,898 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
8,547 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
8,523 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
8,504 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
8,414 observations
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
8,327 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
7,718 observations · iNaturalist
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
7,687 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
7,562 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
7,291 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
7,158 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
6,958 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
6,896 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
6,816 observations
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
6,716 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
6,689 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
6,520 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
6,345 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
6,274 observations
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
6,224 observations
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
6,147 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
6,114 observations
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
6,038 observations
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
6,011 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
5,984 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
5,956 observations
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
5,879 observations
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
5,517 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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