Order Coraciiformes
Family Alcedinidae
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
Status and abundance: Common migrant. Fairly common summer resident in Shawnee Hills and Floodplains. Uncommon summer resident in Till Plain. Uncommon winter resident.
Habitat: Margins of creeks, ponds, lakes, and rivers. Requires dirt banks for nesting.
Records and remarks: Kingfishers migrate, but apparently not on strict schedules like many other birds. Like waterfowl, they will remain in northern breeding areas as long as open water is available, but when freeze-up begins they move south. Kingfishers can be found in southern Illinois throughout the year except during the most severe winters.
SPRING—Northward movements start when lakes begin thawing (late January to early February in some years). Usually less than 10 are seen per day.
SUMMER—Kingfishers begin nesting fairly early, usually in April.
AUTUMN—Southward migration is difficult to detect due to the presence of both breeding and wintering kingfishers. Systematic censuses could reveal when peak numbers pass through the region.
WINTER—As long as open water is available kingfishers stay for the winter. Typically, daily high counts during winter are quite variable because of weather, but in warm years, numbers are usually about 10 per day of observer effort.
Documentation: Specimen—female, Anna, Union Co., 28 Dec 1935 (SIU A-1764).
Order Piciformes
Family Picidae
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Status and abundance: Common year-round resident in Floodplains. Uncommon year-round resident in Shawnee Hills. Common migrant and summer resident, but uncommon winter resident in Till Plain.
Habitat: Deciduous woods, especially bottomlands and open, park-like woods.
Records and remarks: A gorgeous bird, Red-headed Woodpeckers have experienced strong population declines in many parts of their range. Populations vary considerably from year to year, especially in winter. They are aggressive and fight almost constantly with each other and with other species, especially Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Immatures have duller plumage overall, a grayer head, and spots on the tips of the secondaries.
SPRING—Because a winter population exists in the region, it is often difficult to detect the start of spring migration. Northward movements probably begin as early as mid-February in some years. I have seen new arrivals about 20 February in areas I censused daily throughout the winter. Migration may continue until early May, but the summer population obscures detection of latest departures.
SUMMER—European Starlings compete aggressively for nest sites and often deter Red-headed Woodpeckers from nest sites. After breeding, Red-headed Woodpeckers often form loose flocks and can be seen flycatching above the treetops.
49 flycatching, sw. Jackson Co., 30 Jun 1989 (WDR)
AUTUMN—Fall migration is more obvious than spring, yet is still inconspicuous. Small groups of traveling birds fly just above the treetops along the major river valleys, especially the Mississippi. Fourteen birds per hour were seen along the Ohio River one fall (Graber et al. 1977). Migration probably extends from early September through late October, but systematic censuses have not been done. Daily high counts depend largely on effort and location. In prime habitat, counts of 50-75 are possible.
WINTER—There is pronounced annual fluctuation in the wintering population. In good mast years, many Red-heads stay the winter; in poor years, numbers of Red-heads are lower, but there are always at least a few around (usually in bottomland woods).
306, Oakwood Bottoms, 1 Jan 2003 (KMc, VL)
90, Oakwood Bottoms, Jackson Co., 16 Feb 1975 (BP)
Documentation: Specimen—female, Campbell Lake, Franklin Co., 3 Dec 1960 (SIU A-1189).
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus
Status and abundance: Common year-round resident.
Habitat: Woods, both deciduous and coniferous, as well as park-like residential areas.
Records and remarks: Red-bellied Woodpeckers probably do not migrate to any large extent, but Graber et al. (1977) reported a few flying along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers during fall (late September to late October). There are no data that indicate any sort of spring migration.
SUMMER—Red-bellied Woodpeckers undoubtedly breed in every township in southern Illinois. Nesting begins as early as late March and continues through early July. Nests are most conspicuous in mid- and late May when most have old, loudly begging juveniles. Daily high counts depend on effort and location, not often exceeding 50 birds.
WINTER—Red-bellied Woodpeckers readily visit feeders for sunflower, corn, and suet. Daily counts during winter are similar to those during summer.
Documentation: Specimen—male, 3 miles e. of Texico, Jefferson Co., 19 Oct 1958 (SIU A-631).
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
Late September - Early May
Status and abundance: Fairly common migrant. Fairly common winter resident in Floodplains and Shawnee Hills. Uncommon winter resident in Till Plain.
Habitat: Deciduous and coniferous woods.
Records and remarks: Unlike most of our woodpeckers, sapsuckers are highly migratory, arriving in southern Illinois in mid- to late fall and departing by early May. Sapsuckers are less vocal than other woodpecker species, so they are often overlooked, but their presence is revealed by the distinctive rows of holes they drill in trees. There is no scientific evidence that this type of foraging negatively affects tree survival. Graber et al. (1977) found a preference for drilling in overcup oak, slash pine, tulip tree, pecan, red cedar, and maples.
AUTUMN—Peak numbers of sapsuckers pass through the region in October (Graber et al. 1977). The end of fall migration is obscured by the winter population, which can be substantial in mild winters, but may drop to low numbers during severely cold winters.
2, Carbondale, 18 Sep 2016 (JT)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 19 Sep 1982 (JCR)
WINTER—Sapsuckers are most common in bottomland woods and pine stands during winter. Numbers vary widely from year to year. A typical daily high count, given a full day of effort in excellent habitat is less than 20 birds.
SPRING--Northward migration begins during March, but has been reported as early as late February (Graber et al. 1977). The influx of spring migrants is usually recognizable despite the presence of the wintering population because many spend the winter south of our region, even into Central America.
15, Heron Pond, Johnson Co., 9 Apr 1972 (VK)
1, Trillium Trail, Jackson Co., 5 May 2016 (KRo)
SUMMER—There is one questionable report of a sapsucker from Horseshoe Lake CA, 13 August 1932 (Gower 1933). If correct, the bird may have been a very early fall migrant, or possibly a local breeder.
Documentation: Specimen—female, Carbondale, Jackson Co., 10 Dec 1960 (SIU A-1133).
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
Status and abundance: Common year-round resident.
Habitat: Woods, residential areas, and parks.
Records and remarks: Downy Woodpeckers outnumber their larger look-alike, Hairy Woodpecker, by four to five times. They readily visit feeders for suet, sunflower seeds, and peanut butter. No migration is known to occur. They become rather inconspicuous in August and September when they are molting (George 1972). Typical daily high counts are affected by time of year, location and effort expended, but normally will be less than 35.
SUMMER—Downy Woodpeckers nest quite early in the season. Egg dates range from late March to mid-June.
WINTER—Downy Woodpeckers can often be found in winter foraging flocks with other small birds like chickadees, nuthatches, and titmice that roam the forest and forest edges.
Documentation: Specimen—ad. male, Belknap, Johnson Co., 19 Feb 1961 (SIU A-1184).
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
Status and abundance: Fairly common year-round resident.
Habitat: Woodland. Although they occur in woodlots and wooded residential areas, they are most numerous in heavily forested regions.
Records and remarks: Compared with Downy Woodpeckers, the Hairy Woodpecker population seems low, but they are still fairly common across southern Illinois. Hairy Woodpeckers do not migrate much, if at all, in most years. A typical daily high count will be less than a dozen after a whole day of counting effort.
Documentation: Specimen—male, 3 miles e. of Carbondale, in Williamson Co., 19 Feb 1959 (SIU A-664).
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
Status and abundance: Common migrant and winter resident. Fairly common summer resident.
Habitat: Open deciduous woods, woodland edge, and hedgerows.
Records and remarks: Flickers are often easy to identify because of their large white rump patch exposed in flight, their bright yellow underwings, and the black-spotted tan undersides. They also have the very unwoodpecker-like habit of foraging on the ground. Sometimes they can be found foraging on the ground in fields quite distant from trees. In southern Illinois, two subspecies of flicker have been reported. The common form is the Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker (C. a. auratus). The other, much rarer, form is the Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker. We have very few reports of the latter. Because Yellow-shafted and Red-shafted Flickers frequently hybridize, it is important to obtain very detailed descriptions and, preferably, photos of any bird that appears to be a Red-shafted. Many hybrids have red underwings, but details of the face pattern and colors are needed to confirm identity of “pure” Red-shafted Flickers.
One bird thought be a Red-shafted Flicker (C. a. cafer) was seen in Alexander County, 2 Jan 1987 (RP, MD). Flickers are highly migratory. Migrating birds often follow the major river valleys like the Mississippi and Ohio/Wabash and travel in small groups in a fashion similar to Red-headed Woodpeckers and Blue Jays. It is not unusual to see several groups of two to twenty flickers foraging in grassy areas along roadsides during their migration periods.
SPRING—Northward migration may begin in early or mid-February in some years, but normally starts in late February. Groups of 20 to 40 are seen per day. Migration is usually over by mid-April.
SUMMER—Flicker populations are relatively low during summer. They seem to be more numerous in the Till Plain than the Shawnee Hills and Floodplains. Flickers nest from mid-April through early July.
AUTUMN—Southward migration begins by mid-September and continues at least until early November, but the winter population obscures departure of the last migrants. Numbers counted per day are similar to those during spring.
WINTER—Flickers sometimes visit bird feeders for corn, suet, and sunflower seeds. They are numerous around agricultural fields where they feed on waste grain.
Documentation: Specimen—ad. male, Carterville, Williamson Co., 3 Apr 1966 (SIU A-1594).
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
Status and abundance: Fairly common year-round resident in Floodplains and Shawnee Hills. Uncommon year-round resident in Till Plain.
Habitat: Mature deciduous woodland, especially bottomland.
Records and remarks: Our largest woodpecker looks very similar to a crow in shape and color, but has a red crest and white wing patches. It leaves distinctive oval or rectangular holes in dead trees where it has been searching for wood-boring beetles and ants. Pileated Woodpeckers are usually shy and tend to be difficult to approach closely. There is probably no migration. Typical daily high counts vary by location, but a full day of effort in excellent habitat, such as that in Floodplain forests, will usually be less than 25 birds.
Documentation: Specimen—ad. male, 4 miles n. of Cobden, Union Co., 17 Aug 1955 (SIU A-205).
Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis
Status and abundance: Extirpated. Almost certainly extinct.
Records and remarks: Apparently inhabited the extensive cypress swamps and riparian forests of the Floodplains. Unfortunately, no convincing evidence of its former presence has been preserved. Three references to it can be found in the literature. Audubon (1831) reported it from somewhere near Cairo: "Descending the Ohio, we meet with this splendid bird for the first time near the confluence of that beautiful river and the Mississippi." Ridgway (1889) suggests: "The writer has a distinct recollection of what he believes to have been this species in White County...." Finally, Gault (1922) says: "the present writer feels quite certain of hearing its call note in a swamp near Ullin, Pulaski County in the fall of 1900." No further descriptions were given of what any of these three very skilled ornithologists saw or heard. Given the fact that skeletal evidence has been obtained from north of our region in the St. Louis area (in Cahokia, Illinois [Parmalee 1967]), and a specimen was collected in St. Louis in 1886 (Hahn 1963), the reports by Audubon, Ridgway, and Gault are probably correct. Recent reports in Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida have been met with considerable skepticism.
Documentation: Provisional Acceptance.
Order Falconiformes
Family Falconidae
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Status and abundance: Common migrant and winter resident. Fairly common summer resident.
Habitat: Open and semi-open areas such as roadsides, pastures, and cultivated lands, occasionally in town.
Records and remarks: Like other species that eat large insects, kestrel populations have been declining over much of their range. Nevertheless, they are still encountered regularly, often perched on electrical wires along roadsides. Well-known for the habit of hovering for extended periods of time over one spot then either pouncing on prey or flying off and hunting elsewhere, kestrels are by far the most numerous falcon in southern Illinois.
AUTUMN—Fall migration begins during September and peaks during October. Flocks of migrating kestrels may occur ahead of advancing cold fronts, especially in early and mid-October. Most of the winter population is probably here by late November.
WINTER—Widely distributed across the region in most years. During very cold winters, numbers may be noticeably lower in the Till Plain.
SPRING—Dates of northward movement are difficult to determine because of the presence of winter populations. Migration may begin as early as early February and extend into late April or May (Enderson 1960).
SUMMER—Nests in old woodpecker holes, nest boxes, and even cavities in the sides of buildings. Egg-laying occurs principally in April and May, with fledglings present by late June.
Documentation: Specimen—ad. female, 5 miles n.e. of Cobden, Union Co., 8 Dec 1955 (SIU A-120).
Merlin Falco columbarius
Mid-September - Early May
Status and abundance: Occasional migrant. Rare winter resident.
Habitat: Open and semi-open areas like grassy fields and forest edge.
Records and remarks: Merlins are somewhat more numerous in fall than spring, but the available records are rather evenly distributed between autumn, winter, and spring. Rarely is more than 1 seen per day. Because Merlins are most often detected as birds flying past, they are sometimes confused with kestrels. Special attention should be given to the body proportions, tail pattern, and flight behavior. Merlins have very direct and swift flight, rarely pausing or hovering in the way that kestrels often do.
AUTUMN—The first migrants normally arrive in the third week of September. Peak passage occurs from 20 September to 10 October when raptor migration as a whole is peaking. Most have departed by the end of October, but a few remain throughout late fall and winter.
1, Union Co. CA, 6 Sep 1997 (MD)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 15 Sep 1989 (WDR)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 12 & 18 Oct 1983 (JCR)
WINTER—An irregular visitor during winter. Observers should archive photos in eBird to assist with subspecific identification of over-wintering birds.
1, Rend Lake, Jefferson Co., 16 Dec 2016 – 20 Feb 2017 (KM)
1, near Dixon Springs SP, Pope Co., 26 Feb - 10 Mar 1991, and possibly the same bird there 26 Jan - 8 Mar 1992 (TF)
SPRING—Migrants arrive by late March and are present into early May, but few are detected each year.
1, Oakwood Bottoms, Jackson Co., 25 Mar 1989 (WDR)
1, Union Co. CA, 10 May 1977 (VK, HDB)
1, Mermet Lake, 17 May 1998 (FB)
Documentation: Specimen—female, 2 miles e. of Carbondale, Jackson Co., 14 Oct 1958 (SIU A-622).
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Late September - Early May
Status and abundance: Occasional migrant. Rare winter resident. Formerly a rare summer resident, now very rare summer resident and visitor.
Habitat: Typically found in open or semi-open areas such as agricultural and grass lands, often near rivers or lakes.
Records and remarks: This majestic falcon experienced a dramatic population decline in the mid-1900s owing to negative responses to toxic chemicals such as DDT. Like Bald Eagles and many other raptors, Peregrines have made a remarkable come back, yet they are still only occasionally detected. Peregrines once nested on the high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River floodplain in Jackson County. They have recently nested on the smokestacks at the Baldwin Lake Power Plant, Randolph Co.
AUTUMN—Peak numbers occur in late September and early October. Most sightings are from refuges where ducks concentrate in large numbers. These falcons are often among the raptors seen during "fallout" days when birds are migrating ahead of strong cold fronts.
1, Ward Branch, Rend Lake, 12 Aug 2012 (KM)
1, Island Rd., Jackson Co., 12 Aug 2016 (JT)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 15 Oct 1984 (JCR)
WINTER—Usually detected sparingly near waterfowl areas, almost always as single birds.
3, Rend Lake, Franklin Co., 16 Dec 2015 (R. Paul)
SPRING—Most migrants are detected from late March through early May.
breeding pair returned, Jackson Co., 14 Mar 1951 (RB)
ad., Union Co. CA, 6 Apr 1986 (WDR)
1, Johnson Co., 13 May 1992 (TF)
1, Cypress Creek NWR, 14 May 2011 (MML)
SUMMER—Nested on the bluffs over the Mississippi River near Grand Tower, Jackson Co., in the 1880s and 1890s (Widmann 1907). Prior to 2013, the most recent known nest was at Hickory Ridge, Jackson Co., in 1950 (when 2 yg. were raised) & 1951 (George 1968). Summer observations are very rare:
1, Baldwin Lake, Randolph Co., 20 Jun 2015 (DK)
pair at nest with young, Baldwin Power Plant, Randolph Co., 29 Jun through 12 Jul 2013 (DK)
1, Mermet, 2 Jul 2015 (KM)
1, Union Co., 17 July 1955 (RB)
Documentation: Specimen—imm. male, near Murphysboro, Jackson Co., 5 Oct 1959 (SIU A-862).
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus
Status and abundance: Very rare visitor.
Habitat: Found in extensive agricultural areas where it often perches in isolated trees. Usually occurs near rivers.
Records and remarks: Prairie Falcons are birds of big sky country in western North America. The most likely places to find them in southern Illinois would be the extensive agricultural landscapes of the Floodplains and around large grasslands in reclaimed strip mine zones. Probably most likely to occur from November through March.
WINTER—1, near Ware, Union Co., 31 Dec 1987 (RG, WDR)
SPRING—1, Union Co. CA, 20 Mar 1992 (TF, JD)
1, Alexander Co., 31 Mar 1984 (JCR)
Documentation: Written description—1, Union Co., 31 Dec 1987.
Order Psittaciformes
Family Psittacidae
Carolina Parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis
Status and abundance: Extinct.
Records and remarks: Like the Passenger Pigeon, information on occurrence of Carolina Parakeets in southern Illinois is rare. Yet, definite evidence has been preserved in the form of one (probably two) specimens. An adult male was collected by J. K. Townsend at Cairo, Alexander County, in 1834 (possibly 29 April; USNM). A specimen in the CAS collection was taken by R. Kennicot in 1857 (or 1855) probably in Union County; however, there is suspicion that it might be from northern Illinois in Union, McHenry County (Bohlen 1989). Carolina Parakeets were apparently most numerous along riverside forests where they roosted in cavities in sycamore trees and fed on cockleburs and other seeds and nuts. Of particular mention in the literature is their regular occurrence in the forests along the Ohio River from the Wabash River to Cairo, Alexander County. Heckenwelder found some at the mouth of the Wabash River, Gallatin County, in December 1792 (Wright 1912). Audubon (1929) also found some there on 5 November 1820. Edwin Janes saw "many" at Shawneetown, Gallatin County, on 27 May 1819 (Wright 1912). Parakeets probably wintered in southern Illinois because Thwaites (1906) mentions a wintering flock in Indiana across the Wabash River from White County in 1832. Additionally, Audubon (1942) reported "thousands" in December 1810 from the mouth of the Cache River, Alexander and Pulaski counties. It is not clear if Carolina Parakeets bred in southern Illinois, or, for that matter, if they were even migratory. Given the decline and disappearance of a bird seen by the thousands, consider the value of your own observations of birds we think are common today. Someday they may not be so common.
Documentation: Specimen—ad. male, Cairo, Alexander Co., 1834 (USNM).