In the heartland of America, Illinois is a treasure trove of water bird diversity. With the Great Lakes to its north and the mighty Mississippi River along its border, coupled with a variety of inland water bodies, the state offers a plethora of habitats for these fascinating creatures.
Illinois water birds
| Water Bird Species | Frequency in Illinois | Where to Find in in Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| American White Pelican | Common | Mississippi River, especially near Alton |
| Double-Crested Cormorant | Common | Along the Illinois River |
| Great Blue Heron | Very Common | Wetlands and rivers statewide |
| Great Egret | Common | Wetlands and marshy areas |
| Snowy Egret | Common | Wetlands and marshy areas |
| Green Heron | Common | Wetlands, streams, and ponds |
| Black-Crowned Night-Heron | Common | Urban parks and wetlands |
| Mallard | Very Common | Ponds, rivers, and lakes statewide |
| Wood Duck | Common | Wooded wetlands and rivers |
| Blue-Winged Teal | Common | Wetlands and marshy areas |
| Northern Pintail | Common | Wetlands and marshy areas |
| Canvasback | Uncommon | Large rivers and lakes |
| Redhead | Uncommon | Large rivers and lakes |
| Ring-Necked Duck | Common | Forested wetlands |
| Lesser Scaup | Common | Large bodies of water |
| Bufflehead | Common | Ponds, lakes, and rivers statewide |
| Hooded Merganser | Common | Wooded wetlands and ponds |
| Common Merganser | Uncommon | Large rivers and lakes |
| Ruddy Duck | Common | Ponds, lakes, and rivers statewide |
| American Coot | Very Common | Wetlands, lakes, and rivers statewide |
| Sandhill Crane | Common | Wetlands in the northern part of the state |
| American Wigeon | Common | Wetlands, ponds, and reservoirs |
| American Avocet | Uncommon | Wetlands and mudflats |
| Black-necked Stilt | Uncommon | Wetlands and mudflats |
| Great Black-backed Gull | Uncommon | Along the shores of Lake Michigan |
| Osprey | Uncommon | Near large bodies of water |
Water Bird Species Found in Illinois
Where to Spot Illinois’s Water Birds
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Chicago: This sanctuary located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park is a haven for water birds. Here, one can observe a variety of ducks, gulls, and even the occasional loon or grebe.
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, Lewistown: One of the largest floodplain restoration projects in the Midwest, Emiquon attracts a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds. It’s a perfect spot to observe species such as Northern Pintails, Snowy Egrets, and American Coots.
Chain O’Lakes State Park, Spring Grove: Located in northeastern Illinois, this state park is composed of numerous lakes and waterways that attract a large number of water birds, including several species of ducks (you can often see the green winged teal here), herons (look out for little blue herons), and grebes.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Marion: This refuge offers a mix of woods, wetland habitat, freshwater marshes, freshwater ponds and lakes that attract a wide variety of bird species. From Great Blue Herons and the little blue heron to Double-Crested Cormorants and yellow headed blackbirds, this place is a birder’s delight.
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, Penfield: The preserve’s wetlands attract numerous waterfowl and other water birds, especially during the migration seasons. Sightings include Great Egrets, Mallards, and Buffleheads. They did try to increase the native wild turkey population in several preserves across Illinois.
| Neighboring State | Best Spots for Birdwatching |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Water Birds | Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, Devil's Lake State Park |
| Iowa Water Birds | DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area |
| Missouri Water Birds | Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge |
| Kentucky Water Birds | Sloughs Wildlife Management Area, Mammoth Cave National Park, Lake Barkley State Resort Park |
| Indiana Water Birds | Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area, Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge |