This list of birds of Illinois includes species documented in the U.S. state of Illinois and accepted by the Illinois Ornithological Records Committee (IORC). As of March 2024, there are 455 species and two species pairs included in the official list. Of them, 92 are classed as accidental, 38 are classed as casual, nine have been introduced to North America, three are extinct. The native populations of five species have been extirpated though some of them have been reintroduced. An additional accidental species has been added from another source.
Only birds that are considered to have established, self-sustaining, wild populations in Illinois are included on this list. This means that birds that are considered probable escapees, although they may have been sighted flying free in Illinois, are not included.
This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.
The following codes are used to designate some species:
(A) Accidental - "Species for which there are accepted records in no more than two of the past ten years" per the IORC (C) Casual - "Species for which there are accepted records in three to seven of the past ten years" per the IORC (I) Introduced - Species established in North America as a result of human action (E) Extinct - a recent species that no longer exists (Ex) Extirpated - "Species which were formerly casual or regular in Illinois but which have not been recorded in the wild in the state for at least 50 years" per the IORC
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Forty-five species have been recorded in Illinois.
Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (A) Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Ross's goose, Anser rossii Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Brant, Branta bernicla (C) Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (A) Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii Canada goose, Branta canadensis Mute swan, Cygnus olor (I) Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator (Ex) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Wood duck, Aix sponsa Garganey, Spatula querquedula (A) Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope (C) American wigeon, Mareca americana Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos American black duck, Anas rubripes Mottled duck, Anas fulvigula (C) Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Canvasback, Aythya valisineria Redhead, Aythya americana Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A) Greater scaup, Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis King eider, Somateria spectabilis (A) Common eider, Somateria mollissima (A) Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi Black scoter, Melanitta americana Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica (C) Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus Common merganser, Mergus merganser Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
New World quail Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World but named for their similar appearance and habits. One species has been recorded in Illinois.
Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump, with broad, relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Six species have been recorded in Illinois.
Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (Ex)The native wild turkey population in Illinois was extirpated in the early 1900s. All of the present population are the descendants of reintroduced birds. Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (Ex)Most ruffed grouse in Illinois (except in the northwest, where there are native populations) are probably released birds or their descendants, so the IORC doesn't consider them established. Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus (Ex) Greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupidoIn the 1990s, greater prairie-chickens were released to augment the natural populations in Jasper and Marion counties. Gray partridge, Perdix perdix (I) (A) Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)
Grebes Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Six species have been recorded in Illinois.
Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis Clark's grebe, Aechmorphorus clarkii (A)
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Eight species have been recorded in Illinois.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (A) Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)The Illinois population of Eurasian collared-doves arrived as part of the expansion of the birds which spread from birds released in the Bahamas. The IORC does not consider the very similar African collared-dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea), present in the Joliet area, to be established. Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (E) Inca dove, Columbina inca (A) Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (A) White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (C) Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura
Cuckoos Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Three species have been recorded in Illinois.
Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (A) Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Nightjars and allies
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Illinois.
Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus
Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have very long, swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. One species has been recorded in Illinois.
Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica
Hummingbirds Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Six species have been recorded in Illinois.
Mexican violetear, Colibri thallasinus (A) Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (A) Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (A)The IORC accepted this species based on an incomplete specimen (ISM 660484, two tail feathers) and photographs. Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus (A) Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (A)The IORC accepted this species based on an incomplete specimen (ISM 660432, a tail feather) and photographs.
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and tend to be weak fliers. Eight species have been recorded in Illinois.
King rail, Rallus elegans Virginia rail, Rallus limicola Sora, Porzana carolina Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata American coot, Fulica americana Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (C) Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (C)
Limpkin Order: GruiformesFamily: Aramidae
The limpkin is an odd bird that looks like a large rail, but is skeletally closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes with some trees or scrub in the Caribbean, South America, and southern Florida.
Limpkin, Aramus guarauna (A)
Cranes
Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". Two species have been recorded in Illinois.
Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis Whooping crane, Grus americana (A)"The status of Accidental for Whooping Crane is based on records of naturally occurring birds" despite the records of birds from introduced populations, per the IORC.
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Illinois.
Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus American avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Plovers and lapwings
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Nine species have been recorded in Illinois.
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus Piping plover, Charadrius melodus Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula (A) Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (A) Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (C) Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus (A)
Sandpipers and allies
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-six species have been recorded in Illinois.
Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus