Birding Guide for Illinois
Prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and migratory birds
Birding highlights, common sightings, and the best places to look for birds in Illinois. Use the highlight list to start quickly, then work through the full guide for a broader local view.
Sightings
444
Species
36
Active Months
11
Category Overview
Birds across Illinois
This guide focuses on birdlife within Illinois' wider region guide, helping families explore common sightings, shoreline birds, forest species, and the places where birding is easier to begin.
Latest Sightings
Recent bird sightings in Illinois
A recent look at bird sightings across Illinois.
Sightings Map
See where bird sightings cluster
Start wide, then zoom in to see where bird sightings cluster across Illinois.
Top Highlights
Top 5 birds to see in Illinois
These birds are snapped the most across this region.
59 snaps
53 snaps
44 snaps
39 snaps
27 snaps
Places to Start
Best places for birding in Illinois
These place guides connect well with the birds covered in this region.
Illinois, US
Jackson Park
You might spot Great Blue Heron and American Herring Gull.
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Illinois, US
Humboldt (Alexander Von) Park
You might spot Wood Duck, Red-Winged Blackbird, and Mallard.
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Illinois, US
Northerly Island
You might spot Canada Goose, Ring-Billed Gull, and Red-Winged Blackbird.
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Illinois, US
River Park
You might spot Mallard, American Robin, and Black-Crowned Night Heron.
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Illinois, US
Lily Gardens Park
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Illinois, US
Brookfield Zoo
You might spot Ursus Maritimus, Ursus Arctos, and American Bison.
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Full Guide
Full Illinois birds list
The complete ranked list for this guide, ordered by sightings count.
American Robin
Canada Goose
Duck
Northern Cardinal
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Red-winged Blackbird
Wood Duck
Great Blue Heron
Downy Woodpecker
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Dark-eyed Junco
House Sparrow
Northern Flicker
American Goldfinch
European Starling
American Crow
American Kestrel
Mourning Dove
Pigeon
White-throated Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
Song Sparrow
Belted Kingfisher
House Finch
Sandhill Crane
Pekin Duck
Tundra Swan
Double-crested Cormorant
Eastern Bluebird
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Horned Owl
Hairy Woodpecker
Killdeer
Short-eared Owl
Other Guides
Keep exploring Illinois
Switch from birding to flowers and bugs for a broader view of Illinois' wildlife and nature.
