List of birds of Illinois

This list of birds of Illinois includes every wild bird species recorded in the U.S. state of Illinois, based on the list published by the Illinois Ornithological Society.

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 taxonomic order and follows The Check-list of North American Birds (7th edition, 1998) published by the American Ornithologists' Union. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts in each family account.

The following codes are used to designate some species:

Order: Anseriformes   Family: 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. There are 45 Illinois species.

Order: Galliformes   Family: 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. There are 6 Illinois species.

Order: Galliformes   Family: 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. There is 1 Illinois species.

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body. There are 4 Illinois species.

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