Where can I see birds in Illinois?

Illinois is home to a wide variety of bird species due to its diverse habitats and central location within major migration flyways. From songbirds to waterfowl, backyard feeders to wildlife refuges, birding enthusiasts can spot feathered friends across the state. This article explores the top birding locations in Illinois and the unique species you may find there.

Where are the best places to see birds in Illinois?

Here are some of the top spots for birding in Illinois:

Chicagoland

Even in the busy city, avid birders can find over 300 species. Popular spots include:

• Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary – A wooded lakefront peninsula, home to migrating warblers in spring and fall.
• North Park Village Nature Center – A wildlife haven in the northwest side featuring waterfowl and songbirds.
• Jackson Park – Wooded areas and lagoons along the lakefront host a variety of species.

Central Illinois

Prairie potholes and wetlands make central Illinois a birding paradise, especially for waterfowl. Top spots include:

• Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge – A haven for migratory waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans.
• Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge – Vast wetland restorations attract wading birds like egrets and herons.
• Merwin Nature Preserve – prairie, marsh, and silver maple floodplain forest habitats host diverse species.

Southern Illinois

Forests, lakes, and rivers in the south provide excellent birding. Don’t miss:

• Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge – Cypress swamps and marshes with migrant songbirds and waterfowl.
• Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge – Varied habitat like wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands with over 250 species.
• Giant City State Park – a mix of forests and streams with colorful migrants like scarlet tanagers.

Great River Birding Trail

This birding trail follows the Mississippi River through western Illinois for spectacular river and water birds like bald eagles, pelicans, and ducks. Must-see spots include:

• Steamboat Island – A Mississippi River island with trails to spot migrating waterfowl.
• Keokuk – Where the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers meet, renowned for eagles and spring/fall migrants.
• Banner Marsh – Wetlands with herons, egrets, bitterns, rails, and migrant songbirds.

What bird species can I see in Illinois?

With varied habitat supporting both migrating and resident species, Illinois has an impressive diversity of birds. Here are some top birds to spot by season:

Spring

• Warblers – Colorful migrants like yellow-rumped, palm, black-throated green, and more stopping over in May during migration.
• Scarlet Tanagers – Brilliant red-and-black birds breeding in Illinois forests.
• Ruby-throated Hummingbirds – Tiny, quick birds arrive in April/May to nest.
• Bald Eagles – Nesting and feeding along rivers.

Summer

• Dickcissels – A prairie specialty, these streaky songbirds summer in grasslands.
• Bobolinks – Male bobolinks have a bubbly, melodic song over prairie meadows.
• Red-headed Woodpeckers – Unmistakable even from afar, they nest in open woodlands statewide.
• Prothonotary Warblers – Golden warblers nesting in southern swamps and wetlands.

Fall

• Sandhill Cranes – Large, noisy cranes stage at wetlands like Baker’s Lake in October.
• Waterfowl – Illinois wetlands and rivers teem with ducks, geese and more during fall migration.
• Raptors – Birds of prey like hawks, eagles, and falcons migrate through in large numbers.
• Snow Geese – White geese fill fields and wetlands in huge flocks, especially around central Illinois.

Winter

• Snowy owls – Irruptive visitors from the far north, sometimes seen hunting Illinois fields.
• Rough-legged hawks – Arctic visitors to open habitats like agricultural fields and marshes.
• Dark-eyed Juncos – Common winter feeder visitor statewide with white outer tail feathers.
• Bald Eagles – Still present along open waterways fishing for prey.

What kinds of habitats attract birds in Illinois?

Illinois has a wide array of habitats, both natural and artificial, that attract birds throughout the year. Here are some of the top bird habitats:

Wetlands

Marshes, swamps, flooded fields, and lake edges host huge numbers of wetland species like herons, egrets, ducks, geese, gulls, terns, and shorebirds. Central Illinois wetlands are especially important for migrating waterfowl.

Forests

Deciduous and mixed forests cover much of the state, providing nesting habitat for cerulean, hooded, and worm-eating warblers, scarlet tanagers, wood thrushes, and more. Large riverbottom forests are hotspots.

Prairies

Remnant tallgrass prairies in the central and northern sections of the state host specialized birds like dickcissels, bobolinks, and greater prairie-chickens. Conservancy grasslands mimic prairie habitat.

Rivers and Lakes

The Mississippi River, Illinois River, and Lake Michigan attract gulls, terns, herons, eagles, pelicans and other water-loving species. Rivers also serve as migration flyways.

Urban Areas

While not a substitute for natural habitat, parks, yards, and green spaces in cities and suburbs provide food and nest sites for adaptable species like raptors, robins, chickadees, and mockingbirds.

What is the best way to see the most bird species in Illinois?

Here are some tips to maximize your birding experience in Illinois:

• Explore different habitats – Visit prairies, wetlands, forests, urban parks, and rivers to see the most diversity.
• Come during spring and fall migration – Peak numbers of rare migrants move through in April/May and September/October.
• Focus on prime birding trails/hotspots – Visit renowned sites like Chautauqua NWR, Emiquon NWR, and Montrose Point where you’re likely to see more birds.
• Use birdsong identification – Learn to identify songs and calls to detect more elusive species.
• Ask local birders – Most areas have an active birding community who know recent sightings and hotspots.
• Consider guided tours – Expert guides know the best locations and how to find species.
• Be patient and persistent – Birding rewards practice. The more time you spend in the field, the more you’ll see!

Conclusion

Boasting prairies, wetlands, and forests galore, Illinois provides exceptional birding opportunities across the state. Spectacular migrant hotspots, abundant waterfowl and shorebirds, and hard-to-find prairie specialties are all findable here. With a diversity of habitats and position along major migration routes, eager birders can spot over 400 species annually if they explore different regions and seasons. So grab your binoculars and field guide to experience the amazing avian spectacle Illinois has to offer!