The Illinois Ornithological Records Committee IORC recognizes around 450 species as native to the state of Illinois. The wild turkey, ruffled grouse, and sharp-tailed grouse have been extirpated from the state.
One would find beautiful bird species scattered throughout the state. Common birds in northern Illinois include the American goldfinch, blue jay, and northern cardinal. The downy woodpecker, prothonotary warbler, and barred owl can be spotted in southern Illinois, mostly in summer. Some common birdwatching sites include the Giant City State Park, Morton Arboretum, and the Eldon Hazlet State Park.
The northern cardinal has been the state bird of Illinois since 1929.
White-breasted Nuthatch
Northern Cardinal
Blue Jay
Great Egret
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Indigo Bunting
Great Blue Heron
Black-capped Chickadee
Bald Eagle
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Parula
Barred Owl
Rufuous Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Purple Martin
American Kestrel
Eastern Wood-Peewee
House Wren
Cooper’s Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
White-winged Crossbill
American Tree Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
Osprey
European Starling
White-breasted Nuthatch
Snow Bunting
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Grosbeak
Golden Eagle
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Glaucous Gull
House Sparrow
Mourning Dove
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
American Bittern
Northern Flicker
Purple Finch
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Black-billed Cuckoo
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Prothonotary Warbler
Least Tern
Baltimore Oriole
Pileated Woodpecker
Green Heron
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Snowy Owl
Ring-billed Gull
Purple Gallinule
Whooping Crane
Purple Sandpiper
Little Blue Heron
Backyard Birds:
All-year-round:Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, Blue Jay, House Finch, Black-capped Chickadee
Migratory Birds:
In Summer: Prothonotary Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Purple Martin, House Wren, Indigo Bunting
In Winter: Glaucous Gull, Carolina Wren, Pine Siskin, Snow Bunting, Great Horned Owl
Birds of Prey: Red-tailed Hawk, Snowy Owl, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk