Birds of Illinois

Key
Evidence Type
photo = photograph   spec = specimen   doc = written documentation
Status Information
Regular = Species for which there are records in at least eight of the past ten years.
Casual = Species for which there are accepted records in three to seven of the past ten years.
Accidental = Species for which there are accepted records in no more than two of the past ten years.
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.
Extinct = Species which have occurred in the state but no longer occur anywhere in the world.
Breeding Information
For species that have bred in Illinois, an additional notation appears in the entry, following a slash ("/").
B = Species which currently breed more or less regularly in the state. In general, this is defined by breeding in at least eight of the last ten years or 40 or more of the last 50 years.
b = Species which have bred at least once in the past 50 years, but do not currently breed regularly.
(B) = Species which formerly bred more or less regularly in the state, but which have not been confirmed as breeding in the past 50 years.
(b) = Species which have been confirmed as breeding in the state, but never regularly, and with no confirmed records of breeding in the past 50 years.
Two terms are restricted to breeding species, based on Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) designations. These are:
Endangered = Species whose breeding populations are in danger of extirpation within Illinois; listed as endangered by the IDNR.
Threatened = Species whose breeding populations are at risk of becoming endangered within Illinois; listed as threatened by the IDNR.
Additional Information
Recent additions: Mountain Plover and Cave Swallow
Total: , updated on September 25, 2008

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae: Whistling-Ducks, Swans, Geese, and Ducks
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) (spec) Casual
Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) (photo) Accidental
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) (spec) Regular
Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) (spec.) Regular / b (cross-breeding)
Ross's Goose (Chen rossii) (spec) Regular
Brant (Branta bernicla) (spec) Casual
Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) (spec) Regular 
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (spec) Regular / B
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) (spec) Regular (introduced) / B
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (spec) Extirpated (reintroduced, established) / (b)
Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) (spec) Regular
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) (spec) Regular / B
Gadwall (Anas strepera) (spec) Regular / b
Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) (spec) Casual
American Wigeon (Anas americana) (spec) Regular
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) (spec) Regular / b
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (spec) Regular / B
Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula) (photo) Accidental
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) (spec) Regular / B
Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) (photo) Regular
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) (spec) Regular / b
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) (spec) Regular / b
Garganey (Anas querquedula) (doc) Accidental
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) (spec) Regular / b
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) (spec) Regular / b (NE)
Redhead (Aythya americana) (spec) Regular / b
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) (spec) Regular
Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) (doc) Accidental
Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) (spec) Regular
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) (spec) Regular / b
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (spec) Casual
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) (photo) Accidental
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) (photo) Regular
Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) (spec) Regular
White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca) (spec) Regular
Black Scoter (Melanitta americana) (spec) Regular
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) (spec) Regular
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) (spec) Regular
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) (spec) Regular
Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) (spec) Casual
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) (spec) Regular / B
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (spec) Regular
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) (spec) Regular / b (NE)
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) (spec) Regular / B
Order Galliformes
Family Odontophoridae: New World Quails
     Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) (spec) Regular / B
Family Phasianidae: Partridges, Pheasants, Grouse, Ptarmigans, and Turkeys
Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) (spec) Regular (N, introduced) / B
Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) (spec) Regular (introduced) / B
Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) (spec) Casual (NW) / (B) 1
Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) (spec) Extirpated / (b) (N)
Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) (spec) Regular (SE, local) / B (endangered) 2
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) (spec) Regular / B 3
Order Gaviiformes
Family Gaviidae: Loons
Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) (spec) Regular
Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) (photo) Regular
Common Loon (Gavia immer) (spec) Regular / (b) (N)
Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii) (spec) Accidental
Order Podicipediformes
Family Podicipedidae: Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) (spec) Regular / B (threatened)
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) (spec) Regular / (b)
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) (spec) Regular
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) (spec) Regular / b (NE)
Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) (spec) Regular
Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) (doc) Accidental
Order Ciconiiformes
Family Ciconiidae: Storks
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) (spec) Accidental
Order Suliformes
Family Fregatidae: Frigatebirds
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) (doc) Accidental
Family Sulidae: Boobies
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) (doc) Accidental
   Family Phalacrocoracidae: Cormorants
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) (spec) Casual
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) (spec) Regular / B (threatened) 
Family Anhingidae: Anhingas
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) (photo) Casual 
Order Pelecaniformes
Family Pelecanidae: Pelicans
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) (spec) Regular 
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) (spec) Accidental
Family Ardeidae: Bitterns, Herons, and Egrets
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) (spec) Regular / b (endangered)
Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) (spec) Regular / B (threatened)
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) (spec) Regular / B
Great Egret (Ardea alba) (spec) Regular / B
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) (photo) Regular
Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) (photo) Accidental
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) (spec) Regular / B
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) (spec) Regular / B
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) (spec) Regular / B (threatened)
Family Threskiornithidae: Ibises and Spoonbills
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) (spec) Casual
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) (photo) Regular
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) (photo) Regular
Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) (photo) Accidental
Order Accipitriformes
Family Cathartidae: American Vultures
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (photo) Regular / B (S) (local)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) (spec) Regular / B
Family Pandionidae: Osprey
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) (spec) Regular / b (local) (endangered)
Family Accipitridae: Ospreys, Kites, Eagles, Harriers, and Hawks
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) (spec) Accidental / (b)
White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) (doc) Accidental
Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (spec) Regular / B (S, local) (endangered)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (spec) Regular / B (threatened)
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) (spec) Regular / b (endangered)
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) (spec) Regular / B
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) (spec) Regular
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) (spec) Regular / B (threatened)
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) (spec) Regular / B
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) (spec) Regular / B (NE, local) (endangered)
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) (spec) Regular / B
Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) (spec) Accidental
Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) (spec) Regular
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) (spec) Regular
Order Falconiformes
Family Falconidae: Falcons
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) (spec) Regular / B
Merlin (Falco columbarius) (spec) Regular
Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) (spec) Casual
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (spec) Regular / B (endangered) 4
Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) (spec) Regular
Order Gruiformes
Family Rallidae: Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) (spec) Regular / (b) (N)
Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) (spec) Regular / b (endangered)
King Rail (Rallus elegans) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) (spec) Regular / B
Sora (Porzana carolina) (spec) Regular / B
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) (spec) Casual / b (S)
Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) (spec) Regular / B (threatened)
American Coot (Fulica americana) (spec) Regular / B 
Family Gruidae: Cranes
Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) (spec) Regular / B (threatened)
Whooping Crane (Grus americana) (spec) Accidental 
Order Charadriiformes
Family Charadriidae: Plovers
Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) (spec) Regular 
American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominicus) (spec) Regular 
Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) (photo) Accidental 
Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) (photo) Accidental
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) (spec) Regular 
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) (spec) Regular / b (endangered) 
Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) (photo) Accidental 
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) (spec) Regular / B 

Family Recurvirostridae: Stilts and Avocets
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) (spec) Regular / b
American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) (spec) Regular
Family Scolopacidae: Sandpipers, Curlews, Godwits, Turnstones, Dowitchers, Snipes,Woodcocks, and Phalaropes
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) (spec) Regular / B
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) (spec) Regular
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) (spec) Regular
Willet (Tringa semipalmata) (spec) Regular
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) (spec) Regular
Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis) (spec) Extinct
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) (spec) Regular
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) (spec) Accidental / (b)
Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) (spec) Regular
Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) (spec) Regular
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) (spec) Regular
Red Knot (Calidris canutus) (spec) Regular
Sanderling (Calidris alba) (spec) Regular
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (spec) Regular
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) (spec) Regular
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) (spec) Regular
White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) (spec) Regular
Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) (spec) Regular
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) (spec) Regular
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) (photo) Accidental
Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) (spec) Regular
Dunlin (Calidris alpina) (spec) Regular
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) (photo) Accidental
Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) (spec) Regular
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis) (spec) Regular
Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) (photo) Casual
Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) (spec) Regular
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) (spec) Regular
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) (spec) Regular / B
American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) (spec) Regular / B
Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) (spec) Regular / b (NE) (endangered)
Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) (spec) Regular
Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) (spec) Regular
Family Laridae: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

   Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) (photo) Accidental
   Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris) (photo) Accidental
   Mew Gull (Larus canus) (photo) Casual
   Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) (spec) Regular / B
Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) (spec) Accidental
California Gull (Larus californicus) (photo) Regular
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) (spec) Regular / B
Thayer's Gull (Larus thayeri) (spec) Regular
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (photo) Regular
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (photo) Regular
Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) (photo) Accidental
Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) (photo) Accidental
Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (spec) Regular
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) (spec) Regular
Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) (spec) Regular
Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea) (photo) Accidental
Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) (spec) Regular
Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) (spec) Regular
Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) (photo) Regular
Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) (photo) Accidental
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) (spec) Regular
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) (spec) Regular
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (doc) Accidental
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex) (doc) Accidental
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) (photo) Accidental
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) (spec) Regular
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) (photo) Casual
Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) (photo) Accidental
Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) (doc) Accidental
Black Skimmer (Rhynchops niger) (photo) Accidental

Family Stercorariidae: Jaegers and Skuas
Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) (photo) Regular 5
Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) (spec) Regular 5
Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) (photo) Casual 5
Family Alcidae: Alcids
Dovekie (Alle alle) (doc) Accidental
Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) (spec) Accidental
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae: Pigeons and Doves
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) (spec) Regular (introduced) / B
Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) (photo) Accidental
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) (spec) Regular (introduced) / B 6
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) (photo) Casual
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) (spec) Regular / B
Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) (spec) Extinct / (B)
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) (photo) Accidental
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) (spec) Accidental
Order Psittaciformes
Family Psittacidae: Parakeets and Parrots
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) (spec) Regular (introduced) / B
Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) (spec) Extinct / (B)
Order Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae: Cuckoos and Anis
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) (spec) Regular / B
Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) (spec) Regular / B
Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) (spec) Accidental
Order Strigiformes
Family Tytonidae: Barn Owls
Barn Owl (Tyto alba) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Family Strigidae: Typical Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) (spec) Regular / B
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) (spec) Regular / B
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) (spec) Regular
Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) (spec) Accidental
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) (spec) Casual
Barred Owl (Strix varia) (spec) Regular / B
Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) (spec) Regular / b 
Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) (spec) Accidental
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) (spec) Regular / b
Order Caprimulgiformes
Family Caprimulgidae: Goatsuckers
Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) (spec) Regular / B
Chuck-will's-widow (Caprimulgus carolinensis) (spec) Regular / B
Eastern Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus) (spec) Regular / B
Order Apodiformes
Family Apodidae: Swifts
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) (spec) Regular / B 
Family Trochilidae: Hummingbirds
Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris) (spec) Accidental 7
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) (spec) Regular / B
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) (spec) Casual
Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) (spec) Accidental 8
Order Coraciiformes
Family Alcedinidae: Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) (spec) Regular / B
Order Piciformes
Family Picidae: Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (spec) Regular / B
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) (spec) Regular / B
Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) (doc) Accidental
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) (spec) Regular / b
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) (spec) Regular / B
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) (spec) Regular / B
Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) (photo) Accidental
Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) (spec) Accidental
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) (spec) Regular / B
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) (spec) Regular / B
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae: Tyrant Flycatchers
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) (spec) Regular
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) (spec) Regular / B
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) (spec) Regular
Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) (spec) Regular / B
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) (spec) Regular
Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) (spec) Regular / B
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) (spec) Regular / B 
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) (spec) Regular / B
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) (photo) Accidental
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) (photo) Casual
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) (spec) Accidental
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) (spec) Regular / B
Tropical Kingbird(Tyrannus melancholicus) (photo) Accidental
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) (spec) Regular / b (local)
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) (spec) Regular / B
Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) (photo) Accidental
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) (photo) Regular / b
Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) (photo) Accidental 
Family Laniidae: Shrikes
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) (spec) Regular / B (threatened)
Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) (spec) Regular
Family Vireonidae: Vireos
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) (spec) Regular / B
Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii) (spec) Regular / B
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) (spec) Regular / B
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) (spec) Regular / b
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) (spec) Regular / B
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) (spec) Regular
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (spec) Regular / B
Family Corvidae: Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, and Crows
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) (spec) Regular / B
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) (photo) Accidental
Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) (spec) Accidental
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) (spec) Accidental
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) (spec) Regular / B
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) (spec) Regular / B (S)
Common Raven (Corvus corax) (spec) Extirpated / (B)
Family Alaudidae: Larks
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) (spec) Regular / B 
Family Hirundinidae: Swallows
Purple Martin (Progne subis) (spec) Regular / B
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) (spec) Regular / B
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) (photo) Accidental / b (cross-breeding)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) (spec) Regular / B
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) (spec) Regular / B
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) (spec) Regular / B
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) (photo) Accidental
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) (spec) Regular / B

Family Paridae: Chickadees and Titmice
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) (spec) Regular / B
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) (spec) Regular / B
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) (spec) Accidental
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) (spec) Regular / B 
Family Sittidae: Nuthatches
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) (spec) Regular / b (N)
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) (spec) Regular / B
Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla) (photo) Accidental 
Family Certhiidae: Creepers
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) (spec) Regular / B (threatened) 
Family Troglodytidae: Wrens
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) (spec) Casual
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) (spec) Regular / B
Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) (spec) Regular / B
Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) (spec) Regular
Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) (spec) Regular / B
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) (spec) Regular / B
Family Polioptilidae: Gnatcatchers
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) (spec) Regular / B 
Family Regulidae: Kinglets
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) (spec) Regular / b (N)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) (spec) Regular
Family Turdidae: Wheatears, Bluebirds, Solitaires, and Thrushes
Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) (photo) Accidental
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) (spec) Regular / B
Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) (photo) Accidental
Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) (spec) Casual
Veery (Catharus fuscescens) (spec) Regular / B 
Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) (spec) Regular
Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) (spec) Regular
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) (spec) Regular
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) (spec) Regular / B
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) (spec) Regular / B
Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) (spec) Regular
Family Mimidae: Catbirds, Mockingbirds, and Thrashers
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) (spec) Regular / B
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) (spec) Regular / B
Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) (photo) Accidental
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) (spec) Regular / B
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) (photo) Accidental 
Family Sturnidae: Starlings
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) (spec) Regular (introduced) / B 
Family Motacillidae: Pipits
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) (spec) Regular
Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii) (spec) Accidental
Family Bombycillidae: Waxwings
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) (spec) Casual
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) (spec) Regular / B 
Family Calcariidae: Longspurs and Snow Bunting
Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) (spec) Regular
Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus) (photo) Accidental
Smith's Longspur (Calcarius pictus) (spec) Regular
Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) (spec) Regular 
Family Parulidae: American Wood Warblers
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora pinus) (spec) Regular / B
Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) (spec) Regular / b (N)
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlyipis peregrina) (spec) Regular
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlyipis celata) (spec) Regular
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlyipis ruficapilla) (spec) Regular / b
Northern Parula (Parula americana) (spec) Regular / B
Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) (spec) Regular / B
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica) (spec) Regular / B
Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) (spec) Regular
Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina) (spec) Regular
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) (spec) Regular
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) (spec) Regular
Black-throated Gray Warbler (Dendroica nigrescens) (phot) Accidental
Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens) (spec) Regular / b 
Townsend's Warbler (Dendroica townsendi) (photo) Accidental
Hermit Warbler (Dendroica occidentalis) (photo) Accidental
Blackburnian Warbler (Dendroica fusca) (spec) Regular
Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica) (spec) Regular / B
Grace's Warbler (Dendroica graciae) (photo) Accidental / B
Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus) (spec) Regular / B
Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) (spec) Accidental
Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor) (spec) Regular / B
Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum) (spec) Regular
Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroica castanea) (spec) Regular
Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata) (spec) Regular
Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) (spec) Regular / B
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) (spec) Regular / B
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) (spec) Regular / B
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) (spec) Regular / B
Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus) (spec) Regular / B
Swainson's Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) (spec) Regular / b (S) (endangered) 9
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) (spec) Regular / B
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) (spec) Regular
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) (spec) Regular / B
Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosus) (spec) Regular / B
Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) (spec) Regular
Mourning Warbler (Oporornis philadelphia) (spec) Regular / b
MacGillivray's Warbler (Oporornis tolmiei) (spec) Accidental
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) (spec) Regular / B
Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina) (spec) Regular / B
Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla) (spec) Regular
Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) (spec) Regular / b
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) (spec) Regular / B
Family Emberizidae: Towhees, Sparrows, and Juncos
Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) (photo) Accidental
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) (photo) Regular
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) (spec) Regular / B
Cassin's Sparrow (Peucaea cassinii) (photo) Accidental
Bachman's Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) (spec) Accidental / (b)
American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea) (spec) Regular
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) (spec) Regular / B
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) (spec) Regular / b (N, local)
Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri) (spec) Accidental
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) (spec) Regular / B
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) (spec) Regular / B
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) (spec) Regular / B
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) (photo) Accidental
Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) (spec) Casual
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) (spec) Regular / B
Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) (spec) Regular / 
Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Le Conte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii) (spec) Regular / (b) (N)
Nelson's Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni) (spec) Regular 
Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) (spec) Regular
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) (spec) Regular / B
Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) (spec) Regular
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) (spec) Regular / B
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) (spec) Regular / b (NE)
Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) (spec) Regular
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) (spec) Regular
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) (spec) Accidental
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) (spec) Regular
Family Cardinalidae: Tanagers, Neotropical Grosbeaks, and Buntings
Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava) (photo) Accidental
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) (spec) Regular / B
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) (spec) Regular / B
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) (spec) Casual
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) (spec) Regular / B
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) (spec) Regular / B
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) (photo) Casual
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) (spec) Regular / B
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) (spec) Accidental
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) (spec) Regular / B
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) (spec) Regular / b (local)
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) (spec) Regular / B
Family Icteridae: Bobolink, Blackbirds, Meadowlarks, Grackles, Cowbirds, and Orioles
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) (spec) Regular / B
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) (spec) Regular / B
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) (spec) Regular / B
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) (spec) Regular / B
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) (spec) Regular / B (endangered)
Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) (spec) Regular
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) (spec) Regular / B (N)
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) (spec) Regular / B
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) (spec) Casual
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) (spec) Regular / B
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) (spec) Regular / B
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) (spec) Regular / B
Scott's Oriole (Icterus parisorum) (photo) Accidental
Family Fringillidae: Holarctic Finches
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) (photo) Accidental
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) (spec) Casual
Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus) (spec) Regular / (b)
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) (spec) Regular (introduced) / B
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) (spec) Regular / b
White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) (spec) Regular
Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) (spec) Regular
Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni) (photo) Accidental
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) (spec) Regular / b
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) (spec) Regular / B
Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) (spec) Regular
Family Passeridae: Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) (spec) Regular (introduced) / B
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) (spec) Regular (introduced) / B 

Footnotes
1 Ruffed Grouse in NW Illinois may represent a remnant native population or wild dispersals from Wisconsin or Iowa. A very small population in Pope County may be the result of late 1950's or early 1960's releases of wild-trapped birds. All other populations in Union and Alexander County or extreme western Jo Daviess County are the results of wild-trapped birds released during the period 1982-94 and are not considered established.
2 During the summers of 1991-98 Greater Prairie-Chickens from out-of-state were introduced into Illinois' only remaining populations in Jasper and Marion counties.
3 The native Wild Turkey population in Illinois was extirpated in the early 1900's. Turkeys were first reintroduced in the Shawnee Forest in 1959 from out-of-state stock. Once established there, Illinois birds have been and continue to be introduced to unpopulated locations throughout the state.
4 Peregrine Falcon was extirpated as a breeding species; the current breeding population is reintroduced.
5 The status of the three species of jaegers in Illinois remains unclear, reflecting the paucity of accepted documentations, although the genus as a whole is certainly Regular. Historically, Parasitic has been thought to be by far the most frequent species, but recent evidence suggests that Pomarine and Long-tailed are less exceptional than formerly believed. Bailey (2002) reviews records of jaegers in Illinois, although many of the records he treats have not been accepted as correctly identified by IORC. We treat Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers as regular as suggested by Bailey (2002), and based on their abundance in the much greater number of records from Lake Michigan in Indiana (Brock 1986). However, in view of the limited number of well-documented reports identified to species, the Committee will continue to review documentations for all jaegers identified to species until a clearer picture of the relative abundance and timing of migration emerges. 
6 Eurasian Collared-Doves have spread dramatically through southern and central Illinois since first recorded in 1996, and have established breeding populations known from several locations. The species was introduced into the Bahamas in 1974, and spread from there on its own to Florida by the late 1970's. The Illinois population is the result of the explosive spread of this species through eastern North America. In addition, a population of African Collared-Doves (Streptopelia roseogrisea) has been present in the Joliet area since at least 19xx and dispersers from this population or other escapes have been recorded in most counties of northeastern Illinois. Because of taxonomic uncertainty regarding this form and the fact that most feral populations of African Collared-Doves elsewhere in North America have not proven to be self-sustaining, the Illinois Ornithological Records Committee (IORC) does not consider African Collared-Dove to be a valid member of the established avifauna in Illinois. 
7 Broad-billed Hummingbird is represented by an incomplete specimen (ISM 660432, a tail feather) and a series of photographs. 
8 Allen's Hummingbird is represented by an incomplete specimen (ISM 660484, two tail feathers) and a series of photographs. 
9 Swainson's Warbler was last confirmed breeding in 1982, and has not been documented in the summer since 1988. Apparent territorial males have been recorded in Jackson, Johnson, and Alexander Counties since 2007.