Birds to See in Illinois in April
142 bird species on our list for Illinois are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Cardinal, Canada Goose and Mallard. New this month: Barn Swallow, Common Yellowthroat, Gray Catbird and Baltimore Oriole and 48 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
From Illinois’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 142 birds in April
142 birds
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 4.30% in Apr
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.71% in Apr
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.62% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.96% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.57% in Apr
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.35% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.25% in Apr
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.24% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.21% in Apr
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 2.19% in Apr
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.10% in Apr
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.04% in Apr
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 1.99% in Apr
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.97% in Apr
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.75% in Apr
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in Apr
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 1.51% in Apr
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.40% in Apr
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.38% in Apr
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisResidentCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 1.33% in Apr
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaPassage migrantCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 1.29% in Apr
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.21% in Apr
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.10% in Apr
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in Apr
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Apr
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.88% in Apr
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.76% in Apr
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.68% in Apr
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Apr
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Apr
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.53% in Apr
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.53% in Apr
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.51% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.49% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.49% in Apr
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Apr
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Apr
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisWinter visitorCommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Apr
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentCommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Apr
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.30% in Apr
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.28% in Apr
American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorCommon14–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.28% in Apr
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.27% in Apr
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Apr
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorCommon15–19 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.27% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.26% in Apr
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.24% in Apr
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Apr
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Apr
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.23% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.22% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.22% in Apr
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.21% in Apr
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantCommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.20% in Apr
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon35–43 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.17% in Apr
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Apr
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Apr
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Apr
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.16% in Apr
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.16% in Apr
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantCommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerPassage migrantUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.15% in Apr
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.14% in Apr
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Apr
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 0.14% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorWinter visitorUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Apr
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.12% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Apr
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentUncommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Apr
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.11% in Apr
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.10% in Apr
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.10% in Apr
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.10% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.10% in Apr
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in Apr
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.08% in Apr
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataPassage migrantUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.08% in Apr
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantCommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.07% in Apr
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Apr
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantCommon10–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Apr
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Apr
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaSummer visitorUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.06% in Apr
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.05% in Apr
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.05% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Apr
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.04% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.04% in Apr
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.04% in Apr
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorUncommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in Apr
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorRare33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Apr
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Apr
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentRare12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaPassage migrantUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in Apr
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Apr
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.02% in Apr
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in Apr
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorUncommon54–59 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantUncommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Apr
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
RuffCalidris pugnaxPassage migrantRare20–32 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.01% in Apr
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaResidentRare16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Apr
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Apr
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantRare36–42 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaPassage migrantRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachusResidentRare29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiWinter visitorUncommon57–64 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraScarceRare36–43 cmRegularly Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorRare31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentRare48–66 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.00% in Apr
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaPassage migrantRare40–50 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusPassage migrantRare28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
Greylag GooseAnser anserWinter visitorRare75–90 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataSummer visitorRare66–84 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.00% in Apr
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.00% in Apr
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made