BREEDING BIRD SPECIES TRENDS

Below are the BCN Survey population trends of breeding birds of the Chicago Region between 1999 and 2020. Click on a species' name below to view an individual species page with additional details. Hover over any of the fields of data to pull up a pop-up box with an explanation of the field. Grassland | Shrubland | Woodland | Wetland | Urban/Introduced

GRASSLANDS

SPECIES

Trend

% Error

Cons. Status

Cred.

Points

Records

Freq.

Sandhill Crane

7.3%

+/-4.4%

--

Good

78

175

3%

Dickcissel

5.5%

+/-0.8%

Lvl 3

Good

841

11724

34%

Common Yellowthroat

5.1%

+/-0.5%

--

Good

1488

13757

60%

Northern Mockingbird

4.4%

+/-3.0%

--

Good

155

319

6%

Henslow's Sparrow

3.4%

+/-0.9%

Lvl 1

Good

652

5465

26%

Barn Swallow

2.6%

+/-1.1%

--

Good

810

3847

33%

Tree Swallow

2.3%

+/-0.9%

--

Good

994

9403

40%

Killdeer

1.9%

+/-2.1%

--

Good

327

1033

13%

Red-winged Blackbird

1.8%

+/-0.5%

--

Good

1947

73222

79%

Song Sparrow

0.8%

+/-0.5%

--

Good

1675

17789

68%

Eastern Bluebird

0.7%

+/-1.6%

--

Good

413

1302

17%

Eastern Kingbird

0.3%

+/-1.0%

--

Good

838

2526

34%

American Woodcock

0.2%

+/-7.6%

Lvl 2

Mod

32

51

1%

Field Sparrow

0.1%

+/-0.7%

Lvl 2

Good

1119

8592

45%

Mourning Dove

-0.5%

+/-1.1%

--

Good

715

2658

29%

Northern Bobwhite

-0.6%

+/-8.1%

Lvl 2

Mod

24

31

1%

Eastern Meadowlark

-1.0%

+/-0.6%

Lvl 2

Good

991

12335

40%

Ring-necked Pheasant

-1.2%

+/-1.8%

--

Good

286

630

12%

Sedge Wren

-1.2%

+/-1.5%

Lvl 2

Good

394

1565

16%

Brown-headed Cowbird

-1.3%

+/-0.7%

--

Good

1288

8081

52%

Northern Harrier

-1.8%

+/-7.3%

Lvl 3

Mod

21

24

1%

American Kestrel

-2.3%

+/-4.8%

Lvl 3

Good

54

85

2%

Grasshopper Sparrow

-2.7%

+/-0.9%

Lvl 2

Good

731

5238

30%

Bobolink

-2.9%

+/-0.7%

Lvl 1

Good

790

16571

32%

Vesper Sparrow

-3.0%

+/-5.6%

--

Mod

52

90

2%

Savannah Sparrow

-3.4%

+/-1.0%

--

Good

599

5180

24%

Upland Sandpiper

-10.4%

+/-5.2%

Lvl 2

Mod

48

65

2%

POORLY KNOWN TRENDS

Western Meadowlark

--

+/-

--

Poor

14

24

1%

Lark Sparrow

--

+/-

--

Poor

3

4

0%

Horned Lark

--

+/-

Lvl 3

Poor

12

34

0%

Common Nighthawk

--

+/-

Lvl 3

Poor

5

12

0%

Clay-colored Sparrow

--

+/-

--

Poor

18

42

1%

SHRUBLANDS

SPECIES

Trend

% Error

Cons. Status

Cred.

Points

Records

Freq.

Ruby-thr. Hummingbird

6.4%

+/-2.9%

--

Good

157

260

6%

Warbling Vireo

5.4%

+/-1.4%

--

Good

407

1527

17%

Common Yellowthroat

5.1%

+/-0.5%

--

Good

1488

13757

60%

Eastern Towhee

4.4%

+/-1.0%

Lvl 3

Good

622

3038

25%

Northern Mockingbird

4.4%

+/-3.0%

--

Good

155

319

6%

Blue Jay

3.7%

+/-0.6%

--

Good

1261

7386

51%

Orchard Oriole

3.5%

+/-1.8%

--

Good

328

828

13%

Chestnut-sided Warbler

2.1%

+/-4.7%

--

Good

53

95

2%

Red-winged Blackbird

1.8%

+/-0.5%

--

Good

1947

73222

79%

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

1.6%

+/-1.2%

--

Good

585

2016

24%

White-eyed Vireo

1.3%

+/-5.6%

--

Mod

40

62

2%

Gray Catbird

0.8%

+/-0.6%

--

Good

1111

6907

45%

Song Sparrow

0.8%

+/-0.5%

--

Good

1675

17789

68%

Yellow-breasted Chat

0.5%

+/-3.0%

Lvl 3

Good

95

293

4%

Northern Cardinal

0.4%

+/-0.5%

--

Good

1496

8461

61%

Brown Thrasher

0.3%

+/-1.3%

Lvl 2

Good

536

1360

22%

Eastern Kingbird

0.3%

+/-1.0%

--

Good

838

2526

34%

American Woodcock

0.2%

+/-7.6%

Lvl 2

Mod

32

51

1%

Field Sparrow

0.1%

+/-0.7%

Lvl 2

Good

1119

8592

45%

Blue-winged Warbler

0.1%

+/-3.7%

Lvl 3

Good

69

144

3%

Cedar Waxwing

-0.3%

+/-1.3%

--

Good

665

3476

27%

Common Grackle

-0.3%

+/-0.9%

--

Good

1108

8196

45%

Mourning Dove

-0.5%

+/-1.1%

--

Good

715

2658

29%

Northern Bobwhite

-0.6%

+/-8.1%

Lvl 2

Mod

24

31

1%

Chipping Sparrow

-0.7%

+/-3.0%

--

Good

152

247

6%

Yellow Warbler

-0.8%

+/-0.9%

--

Good

679

4285

28%

Brown-headed Cowbird

-1.3%

+/-0.7%

--

Good

1288

8081

52%

Black-billed Cuckoo

-1.7%

+/-4.3%

Lvl 1

Good

58

66

2%

American Goldfinch

-3.0%

+/-0.6%

--

Good

1602

13791

65%

Willow Flycatcher

-3.4%

+/-0.9%

Lvl 2

Good

507

3045

21%

American Redstart

-8.1%

+/-5.5%

--

Mod

34

57

1%

POORLY KNOWN TRENDS

Loggerhead Shrike

--

+/-

Lvl 3

Poor

15

22

1%

Lark Sparrow

--

+/-

--

Poor

3

4

0%

Clay-colored Sparrow

--

+/-

--

Poor

18

42

1%

Blue Grosbeak

--

+/-

--

Poor

14

20

1%

Bell's Vireo

--

+/-

Lvl 3

Poor

26

87

1%

Alder Flycatcher

--

+/-

--

Poor

19

23

1%

WOODLANDS

SPECIES

Trend

% Error

Cons. Status

Cred.

Points

Records

Freq.

Pileated Woodpecker

29.5%

+/-9.8%

--

Mod

54

83

2%

Acadian Flycatcher

16.9%

+/-8.2%

Lvl 3

Mod

34

65

1%

Summer Tanager

8.6%

+/-8.0%

--

Mod

31

49

1%

Chimney Swift

6.8%

+/-2.2%

Lvl 2

Good

313

874

13%

Ruby-thr. Hummingbird

6.4%

+/-2.9%

--

Good

157

260

6%

Red-bellied Woodpecker

6.3%

+/-0.8%

--

Good

904

4091

37%

White-breasted Nuthatch

6.1%

+/-0.9%

--

Good

676

3159

27%

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

5.6%

+/-1.4%

--

Good

514

1282

21%

Warbling Vireo

5.4%

+/-1.4%

--

Good

407

1527

17%

Yellow-throated Vireo

5.3%

+/-2.7%

--

Good

166

293

7%

Great Crested Flycatcher

5.1%

+/-0.9%

--

Good

749

2498

30%

Eastern Towhee

4.4%

+/-1.0%

Lvl 3

Good

622

3038

25%

Eastern Phoebe

4.3%

+/-2.5%

--

Good

199

351

8%

Turkey Vulture

4.2%

+/-3.3%

--

Good

209

442

8%

Eastern Wood-Pewee

4.1%

+/-0.7%

--

Good

806

4743

33%

Blue Jay

3.7%

+/-0.6%

--

Good

1261

7386

51%

Orchard Oriole

3.5%

+/-1.8%

--

Good

328

828

13%

Red-headed Woodpecker

3.3%

+/-2.9%

Lvl 1

Good

153

330

6%

Scarlet Tanager

2.9%

+/-1.3%

--

Good

420

1065

17%

Indigo Bunting

2.8%

+/-0.6%

--

Good

1295

8135

53%

Baltimore Oriole

2.8%

+/-0.9%

--

Good

873

2984

35%

Hairy Woodpecker

2.6%

+/-1.8%

--

Good

330

606

13%

Belted Kingfisher

2.2%

+/-4.3%

--

Good

64

99

3%

Chestnut-sided Warbler

2.1%

+/-4.7%

--

Good

53

95

2%

Wood Thrush

2.1%

+/-1.5%

Lvl 2

Good

361

1029

15%

Carolina Wren

2.1%

+/-6.1%

--

Mod

36

47

1%

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

1.6%

+/-1.2%

--

Good

585

2016

24%

Northern Flicker

1.5%

+/-0.8%

Lvl 3

Good

974

2780

40%

Cooper's Hawk

1.4%

+/-2.8%

--

Good

165

233

7%

American Robin

1.4%

+/-0.4%

--

Good

1970

19799

80%

Downy Woodpecker

1.2%

+/-0.8%

--

Good

866

2977

35%

Hooded Warbler

1.2%

+/-3.2%

Lvl 3

Good

82

192

3%

House Wren

0.9%

+/-0.7%

--

Good

1033

5037

42%

Gray Catbird

0.8%

+/-0.6%

--

Good

1111

6907

45%

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

0.8%

+/-2.6%

Lvl 2

Good

194

241

8%

Eastern Bluebird

0.7%

+/-1.6%

--

Good

413

1302

17%

Northern Cardinal

0.4%

+/-0.5%

--

Good

1496

8461

61%

American Woodcock

0.2%

+/-7.6%

Lvl 2

Mod

32

51

1%

Red-tailed Hawk

0.1%

+/-1.6%

--

Good

456

902

19%

Tufted Titmouse

-0.3%

+/-3.4%

--

Good

80

127

3%

Cedar Waxwing

-0.3%

+/-1.3%

--

Good

665

3476

27%

Common Grackle

-0.3%

+/-0.9%

--

Good

1108

8196

45%

Mourning Dove

-0.5%

+/-1.1%

--

Good

715

2658

29%

Red-eyed Vireo

-0.5%

+/-0.7%

--

Good

762

3779

31%

Chipping Sparrow

-0.7%

+/-3.0%

--

Good

152

247

6%

Brown-headed Cowbird

-1.3%

+/-0.7%

--

Good

1288

8081

52%

Black-capped Chickadee

-1.4%

+/-0.8%

--

Good

1004

5320

41%

Broad-winged Hawk

-1.9%

+/-6.4%

Lvl 3

Mod

25

32

1%

Veery

-2.7%

+/-3.3%

--

Good

71

252

3%

Ovenbird

-4.6%

+/-2.7%

Lvl 3

Good

113

222

5%

Great Horned Owl

-6.1%

+/-3.8%

--

Good

63

97

3%

American Crow

-7.6%

+/-1.2%

--

Good

585

1752

24%

American Redstart

-8.1%

+/-5.5%

--

Mod

34

57

1%

Least Flycatcher

-10.8%

+/-6.3%

--

Mod

29

39

1%

POORLY KNOWN TRENDS

Yellow-throated Warbler

--

+/-

RRE

Poor

7

8

0%

Wild Turkey

--

+/-

--

Poor

18

23

1%

Red-shouldered Hawk

--

+/-

Lvl 3

Poor

11

16

0%

Red-breasted Nuthatch

--

+/-

--

Poor

2

0%

Prothonotary Warbler

--

+/-

Lvl 3

Poor

10

22

0%

Northern Parula

--

+/-

--

Poor

7

13

0%

Louisiana Waterthrush

--

+/-

--

Poor

7

9

0%

Kentucky Warbler

--

+/-

Lvl 3

Poor

5

7

0%

Cerulean Warbler

--

+/-

Lvl 1

Poor

7

0%

Brown Creeper

--

+/-

--

Poor

2

0%

Black-and-white Warbler

--

+/-

--

Poor

3

0%

Barred Owl

--

+/-

--

Poor

10

11

0%

WETLANDS

SPECIES

Trend

% Error

Cons. Status

Cred.

Points

Records

Freq.

Sora

10.3%

+/-5.9%

Lvl 3

Mod

48

102

2%

Swamp Sparrow

9.1%

+/-2.4%

--

Good

181

748

7%

Sandhill Crane

7.3%

+/-4.4%

--

Good

78

175

3%

Marsh Wren

6.7%

+/-2.4%

Lvl 3

Good

192

1077

8%

Blue-winged Teal

6.0%

+/-5.6%

--

Mod

73

210

3%

Common Yellowthroat

5.1%

+/-0.5%

--

Good

1488

13757

60%

Double-crest. Cormorant

5.1%

+/-2.6%

--

Good

233

953

9%

Wood Duck

4.2%

+/-3.3%

--

Good

195

1292

8%

Great Egret

3.3%

+/-2.5%

Lvl 3

Good

285

1134

12%

Great Blue Heron

2.9%

+/-1.4%

--

Good

574

1522

23%

Purple Martin

2.9%

+/-6.2%

--

Mod

41

130

2%

Spotted Sandpiper

2.7%

+/-4.5%

--

Good

50

163

2%

Barn Swallow

2.6%

+/-1.1%

--

Good

810

3847

33%

Mallard

2.6%

+/-1.6%

--

Good

523

4520

21%

Pied-billed Grebe

2.4%

+/-5.3%

Lvl 3

Mod

52

216

2%

Tree Swallow

2.3%

+/-0.9%

--

Good

994

9403

40%

Belted Kingfisher

2.2%

+/-4.3%

--

Good

64

99

3%

Canada Goose

2.0%

+/-2.8%

--

Good

288

3737

12%

Killdeer

1.9%

+/-2.1%

--

Good

327

1033

13%

Red-winged Blackbird

1.8%

+/-0.5%

--

Good

1947

73222

79%

Green Heron

1.2%

+/-2.6%

--

Good

150

338

6%

Song Sparrow

0.8%

+/-0.5%

--

Good

1675

17789

68%

N. Rough-wing. Swallow

-0.1%

+/-2.2%

--

Good

250

971

10%

Bank Swallow

-2.5%

+/-5.8%

--

Mod

38

113

2%

Black-cr. Night-Heron

-10.5%

+/-5.7%

Lvl 2

Mod

34

70

1%

POORLY KNOWN TRENDS

Least Bittern

--

+/-

Lvl 2

Poor

10

0%

American Coot

--

+/-

--

Poor

30

73

1%

Cattle Egret

--

+/-

--

Poor

1

3

0%

Cliff Swallow

--

+/-

--

Poor

15

106

1%

Common Gallinule

--

+/-

Lvl 3

Poor

4

6

0%

Gadwall

--

+/-

--

Poor

10

51

0%

American Bittern

--

+/-

Lvl 1

Poor

6

8

0%

Hooded Merganser

--

+/-

--

Poor

17

29

1%

Yellow-headed Blackbird

--

+/-

Lvl 3

Poor

19

36

1%

Mute Swan

--

+/-

--

Poor

14

125

1%

Northern Shoveler

--

+/-

--

Poor

3

4

0%

Ruddy Duck

--

+/-

--

Poor

4

5

0%

Virginia Rail

--

+/-

Lvl 3

Poor

18

36

1%

Wilson's Phalarope

--

+/-

RRE

Poor

1

0%

Wilson's Snipe

--

+/-

Lvl 2

Poor

12

18

0%

Green-winged Teal

--

+/-

--

Poor

1

0%

URBAN & INTRODUCED

SPECIES

Trend

% Error

Cons. Status

Cred.

Points

Records

Freq.

House Finch

2.9%

+/-3.7%

--

Good

135

340

5%

European Starling

2.8%

+/-1.9%

--

Good

621

6871

25%

Rock Pigeon

0.5%

+/-5.5%

--

Mod

83

340

3%

House Sparrow

-2.2%

+/-2.6%

--

Good

150

777

6%

Ring-billed Gull

-8.0%

+/-3.0%

--

Good

299

2198

12%

POORLY KNOWN TRENDS

Herring Gull

--

+/-

--

Poor

17

34

1%

Common Nighthawk

--

+/-

Lvl 3

Poor

5

12

0%