Skip to main content
Shedd Aquarium
bald eagle flying

Bird & Eagle Watching in Illinois

Go eagle watching in Illinois from scenic river bluffs, or check out the best birding in the diverse habitats of Illinois forest preserves, parks and wildlife areas.

Bird standing on grass

Spring Birdwatching in Illinois

Spring is peak birdwatching time in Illinois! Migratory birds return from their winter retreats, and bring with them a sense of life and renewal. In lush forests and peaceful wetlands, you'll hear the calls of warblers and cranes, and spot colorful flocks soaring overhead. Let your curiosity bloom and go on an Illinois birdwatching adventure.

Spring birdwatching events and highlights

Two birds on a branchMontrose Point Bird Sanctuary (Chicago)

Birds you might see: Warblers, Thrushes, Vireos, Orioles, Sparrows

Montrose Point is a hotspot for migratory birds, especially warblers. This lakeside shrubland and shoreline attracts a wide variety of songbirds following their spring migration.

Woman OutdoorsStarved Rock State Park (Utica)

Birds you might see: Great Blue Herons, Warblers, Swallows

The Illinois River and its surrounding cliffs add up to the perfect habitat for Great Blue Herons and other migratory species.

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge (Havana)

Birds you might see: Sandhill Cranes, Waterfowl

This is a great spot for migratory waterfowl and cranes to take a break on their spring journey - and a great spot for you to spot them while they're on their way.

Allerton Park Spring Migration Bird Hikes (Monticello)

Fridays, April–May

The staff of Allerton Natural Areas provide guided bird hikes each Friday. No two weeks are alike: the species you'll see change continually as the migration season rolls on.

Birding Blitz of Southernmost Illinois

Late April to early May

How many birds can you spot? That's the challenge of this competitive birding event, taking place across Southern Illinois. Put together a team and see what you can find in the cypress swamps, upland forests, grasslands, and river deltas of southernmost Illinois.

Illinois Spring Bird Count (statewide)

Early May (annually)

Birds have a census of their own, and it's conducted during this event. Volunteers across the state spend teh day recording bird species in all 102 Illinois counties. This kind of data is vita for tracking bird populations and understanding how climate changes affect migration patterns.


Two bald eagles on ice floating in a river

Eagle watching in Illinois

Illinois is one of the best places to see bald eagles. Around 3,000 visit each winter, taking up residence in at least 27 counties around the state.

Find out where you can see these American icons soaring through the skies in Illinois.


Bird Watching Tours & Birding Companies


A bird on a plant with Buildings in the distant background

Birdwatching in Chicago

Placeholder content here about birdwatching in Chicago. Birds also enjoy the city! And there are places you can go to see lots of them, so that's nice. See them by lakes, see them circling overhead, see them wherever good birds are seen.

  • Two birds on a branch

    Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary

    Montrose Point is along Lake Michigan. It has a lot of birds! We'll talk more about the birds soon.

  • Bikers biking down road beside lake

    Northerly Island

    Soon I'll add a lot to this piece about Northerly Island. It's a peninsula... it has grasslands, wetlands, and birds. So that's nice.

  • The Chicago skyline and Lincoln park at sunrise

    Lincoln Park

    You know lots about Lincoln Park, right? Yes, well, it has birds, too. There are wetlands, there are woodlands, everything a bird might want.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.