Order Suliformes
Family Fregatidae
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Status and abundance: Very rare visitor.
Habitat: This is a species of the open ocean, so vagrants will most likely occur near water.
Records and remarks: An ad. female was in s. Alexander Co., 19 Jul 1986 (WDR), but it was seen and described by only one observer. A subadult male was photographed south of Grayville, White Co., 14 Sep 2011 (J. Park, T. Edison). One flew over Highway 13 on the west side of Crab Orchard Lake, Williamson Co., 16 Feb 2018 (G. Waring).
Documentation: Photograph—subad. male, near Grayville, White Co., 14 Sep 2011 (Meadowlark 21:55).
Family Phalacrocoracidae
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Status and abundance: Very rare visitor.
Records and remarks: Neotropic Cormorants are smaller and appear longer-tailed than Double-crested Cormorants. Neotropic Cormorant populations have been growing in the southern United States and they are occurring with much greater regularity in the Midwest and Great Plains. If the trend continues, Neotropic Cormorants will become annual visitors.
Records to date:
1 found dead along the Ohio River near Cairo, Alexander Co.,10 July 1878 (ISU 12)
1, sw. Jackson Co., 27 Jul – 11 Aug 1996 (DK, BD, m.ob.)
1, Horsheshoe Lake CA, 3 Jan 1997 (KM, MD)
1, Miller City, Alexander Co., 6 Sep 1997 (MD, HDB)
1, Mermet Lake, 11 May 2012 (KM)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 28 Apr 2017 (KM)
Documentation: Specimen—1, near Cairo, 10 Jul 1878 (ISU 12).
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
Status and abundance: Common to abundant migrant in the west. Uncommon to common migrant in the east. Locally common summer resident. Uncommon winter resident.
Habitat: Frequents large lakes, rivers, and sloughs, especially those with numerous standing dead trees or stumps.
Records and remarks: These gregarious birds dive from the water's surface for fish. When swimming the body rides low in the water so that from a distance sometimes only the snake-like neck can be seen. Swimming birds have a shape similar to loons, but closer inspection reveals a hooked beak and a tendency for the body to ride lower in the water. Cormorants frequently perch in trees with their wings outspread to dry their feathers. Adults are all black, whereas immatures are dull brown. They routinely fly in V-formations, but their long tails and deep wingbeats distinguish them from geese even at a distance. Formerly rare breeders, their population sizes have increased dramatically, leading to nesting colonies at the larger reservoirs and along the major rivers. The increase is thought, in part, to be a result of recovery from DDT poisoning that so negatively affected most fish-eating birds. Unfortunately, cormorants are often persecuted by ignorant humans.
SPRING—Spring migration may begin during February as lakes thaw. More typically, the first arrivals do not appear until mid-March or later. Numbers peak during April then decrease until most migrants have departed in mid-May.
400, Rend Lake, 12 Feb 2001 (KM)
1, Union Co. CA, 19 Feb 1989 (TF, J. Hardt, WDR)
2,500, Rend Lake, 4 Apr 1993 (TF)
20,000, Rend Lake, 12 Apr 2004 (KM)
10, Crab Orchard NWR, 4 Jun 1984 (E. Chato)
imm., s. Alexander Co., 7 Jun 1984 (VK)
SUMMER—Breeding occurs regularly across the region. The largest colonies are at Rend Lake.
nest with 2 yg., Rend Lake, July 1980 (R. Zoanetti)
21 nests, Rend Lake, 15 Jun 1996 (T. Esker)
400 at nest colony, Rend Lake, 1 Jun 2007 (DK)
AUTUMN—Substantial migration does not begin until Sep, but local breeders wander as soon as breeding is completed. Cormorants linger into winter as long as open water is available.
3,000, Rend Lake, 7 Oct 1990 (TF, JD)
10,000, Rend Lake, 12 Nov 2004 (KM)
7,000, Rend Lake, 15 Dec 2001 (DK)
WINTER—Some hardy individuals periodically attempt to stay the entire winter.
2, Crab Orchard NWR, 17 Dec-1 Feb 1989 (SO, WDR)
30, Crab Orchard NWR, 4 Jan 2016 (JG, DM, KRo)
1-3, Rend Lake, 17-23 Jan 1992 (TF, JD)
1, Baldwin Lake, 21 Jan 1991 (TF, JD)
1, Rend Lake, 1 Feb 1989 (WDR)
Documentation: Specimen—Crab Orchard NWR, Williamson Co., 27 Nov 1955 (SIU A-11).
Family Anhingidae
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga
Late April – Early September
Status and abundance: Locally rare summer resident. Very rare migrant.
Habitat: Sloughs, swampy lakes, and rivers.
Records and remarks: Formerly more numerous (Ridgway 1881). Anhingas nested at least as close as Fulton Co., Kentucky, in the past (Ganier 1937:43). After recently re-establishing breeding populations in western Tennessee (Monroe et al. 1988), they began to occur more often in southern Illinois. It was thought that most were either spring migrants over-shooting their destination or post-breeding wanderers appearing here later in summer. Then, in 2009, five nests were located in the Cache River State Natural Area, Johnson Co., which produced at least four juveniles (McKim-Louder 2010). They probably continued to nest in the area through 2013, but the site was unsuitable for nesting in 2014. Since about 2017, post-breeding birds have been detected along the Cache and Mississippi Rivers in late summer to early fall, sometimes staying for many weeks; see eBird for records.
Records:
2, Cache River SNA, 13 Apr 2013 (MML)
1, Fort Massac SP, 15 Apr 2017 (KM)
2, Heron Pond, 22 Apr 2017 (J. Schwegman)
male, Union Co. CA, 28 Apr 1985 (JCR, BD)
4, Heron Pond, 28 Apr 2011 (KM)
3, Little Black Slough, 28 Apr 2012 (SB, CT)
1, Oakwood Bottoms, 28 Apr 2016 (HD, KM)
1, Oakwood Bottoms, 6 May 2013 (JG)
1, Massac Co., 19 May 2002 (FB)
1, Heron Pond, 20 May 2012 (KM)
18, Little Black Slough, 5 Jun 2011 (MML)
1, Oakwood Bottoms, Jackson Co., 4 Jun 1977 (MMo)
1, Oakwood Bottoms, Jackson Co., 18 Jun 2017 (DK)
1, Cedar Lake, Jackson Co., 24-26 Jul 1977 (JGr)
10, Little Black Slough, 4 Jul 2010 (MML)
1, s. Alexander Co., 5 July 1986 (WDR)
1, sw. Jackson Co., 20 Aug 2019 (H. Detwiler); 9 Aug-26 Sep 2020 (M. Cvetas, m.ob.)
1, Cache River SNA, 28 Aug 2010 (RR)
2, Mermet Lake, 7 Sep 2002 (m.ob.)
1, Williamson Co., 14 Sep 1998 (FB)
Documentation: Photograph—s. Alexander Co., 5 Jul 1986 (IBB 3:34).
Order Pelecaniformes
Family Pelecanidae
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Status and abundance: Locally common to abundant migrant at the largest lakes and refuges. Uncommon summer and winter visitor. Less numerous overall in the eastern counties.
Records and remarks: Formerly a rare migrant, pelicans, like many other fish-eating birds, have dramatically increased in numbers over the last two decades. The increase is probably a direct result of banning DDT, which depressed numbers of fish-eating birds and top carnivores, such as eagles, for many years after the ban. Pelicans now occur in large flocks across the region, especially at the large lakes and refuges. They are still uncommon in the eastern section of our region. Although most numerous during migration, they can occur at nearly any time of year.
SPRING—230, Crab Orchard NWR, 6 Feb 2016 (DM, JG)
200, Crab Orchard NWR, 23 Feb 2014 (JG)
2,600, Union Co. CA, 1 Apr 2001 (KM)
5,000, Rend Lake, Franklin Co., 11 Apr 1997 (C. and J. McKee)
SUMMER—Birds present during Jun and Jul are probably non-breeding wanderers, although they could conceivably be either very late spring migrants or very early autumn migrants.
30, Baldwin Lake, 4 Jun 2006 (KM)
18, Pope Co., 9 Jun 2009 (VK)
20, Fort Kaskaskia SP, Randolph Co., 14 Jun-4 Jul 1963 (M. Flieg, R. Anderson)
24, Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve, 14-22 Jun 2010 (MML)
45, East Cape Girardeau, 17 Jul 2010 (KM, MS)
AUTUMN—Fall numbers peak during Oct and Nov.
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 11 Aug - 17 Oct 1954 (LB)
4,000, Rend Lake, Jefferson Co., 2 Oct 2015 (DM)
3, Crab Orchard NWR, late Nov 1979 (B. Gelman)
WINTER—Birds detected in Dec and Jan may attempt to over-winter if water at the large lakes does not completely freeze.
150, Crab Orchard NWR, 11 Jan 2016 (DM, JG, KRo)
50, Baldwin Lake, 22 Jan 2017 (F. Holmes)
Documentation: Specimen—Crab Orchard NWR, Williamson Co., 14 Oct 1955 (SIU A-353).
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Status and abundance: Very rare visitor.
Records and remarks: An immature was found and photographed by many at Crab Orchard NWR, 3 Oct - 19 Nov 2018. Its occurrence might be related to Hurricane Florence, but Brown Pelicans are known to wander widely.
Documentation: Photograph—immature, Crab Orchard Lake, 3 Oct 2018 (https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48920232).
Family Ardeidae
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus
Late March - Early May
Mid-September - Mid-November
Status and abundance: Uncommon spring migrant. Former rare summer resident. Rare fall migrant. Very rare summer and winter visitor.
Habitat: Marshes, especially where cattails are common.
Records and remarks: American Bitterns are famous for their ability to blend into the background of their marshy habitat. More often heard than seen, their distinctive voices alert observers to their presence during spring. Outside of spring, encounters are usually by chance, or by flushing one from vegetation while walking through marshes.
SPRING—Most birds arrive during Apr. Peak numbers are encountered from mid-Apr through the first few days of May. Numbers quickly decline after the first week of May.
1, Mermet Lake, 16 Mar 2013 (FB)
1, Oakwood Bottoms, 22 Mar 2011 (KM)
15, Oakwood Bottoms, 24 Apr 2004 (TM, SB, m.ob.)
2, Black Bottoms, Massac Co., 9 May 1986 (WDR)
2, Oakwood Bottoms, 16 May 2015 (S. Zelek)
SUMMER—Bennett (1957) found young at Crab Orchard NWR in 1950-1952, plus 4 nests in 1952. There are no confirmed breeding records since then. It is possible, however, that nesting could still occur in dense cattail habitat along the margins of ponds in reclaimed strip-mined land, or at other marshes.
1, Harris Lake, Perry Co., 15 Jun 2010 (SB)
1, West Eden, Johnson Co., 19 Jul 2008 (DK, MS)
AUTUMN—Not often encountered during fall, but this simply may be a result of lack of searching effort in the appropriate habitats. Apparently some bitterns will stopover in hay fields during fall migration, perhaps in response to the general lack of extensive wet marshy habitats at this usually dry time of year.
1 found dead, Crab Orchard NWR, 26 Sep 1993 (TF)
1, Carbondale, 30 Oct 1949 (RB)
1, Franklin Co., 1 Nov 2000 (LS)
1 found shot, Oakwood Bottoms, Jackson Co., 14 Nov 1972 (MS)
WINTER—Ice cover should force these birds to move south for the winter.
1, Rend Lake, Franklin Co., 15 Dec 2001 (LS)
1 shot, Crab Orchard NWR, 17 Dec 1949 (fide RB)
1 heard, Crab Orchard NWR, 1 Feb 1950 (JWH)
Documentation: Photograph—1, Massac Co., 25 Apr 2014 (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S18120539).
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis
Late April - Early October
Status and abundance: Uncommon migrant. Locally uncommon summer resident.
Habitat: Cattail and Phragmites marshes.
Records and remarks: As with American Bittern, this species may be more numerous than realized. Secretive habits probably limit the number encountered by birders, particularly in fall when few are detected after mid-August. Probably breeds annually at Mermet Lake and marshes on reclaimed strip mines, such as those in Perry Co.
SPRING—Typically arrives in early May. Most are encountered as they are spooked into flight by observers walking through marshes. Least Bitterns are also quite vocal during spring and will respond to playbacks of their call. High counts are usually less than 3 birds per day, even in excellent habitat. The presence of the breeding population obscures detection of spring departure dates for migrants.
1, Mermet Lake, 9 Apr 2011 (KM)
1, se. of McLeansboro, Hamilton Co., 21 Apr 2012 (CT)
1, Rend Lake, 7 May 1988 (TF)
4, Mermet Lake, 9 May 1998 (FB)
1, n. Randolph Co., 15 May 1988 (WDR)
1, Pope Co., 22 May 1982 (R. Bradley)
SUMMER—Breeding occurs during mid-summer. Annual at Mermet Lake. Other summer records:
8 nests, Crab Orchard NWR, summer 1952 (Bennett 1957)
2 pairs, Harriss Lake, Perry Co., 14 Jun 2000 (FB)
8 (including some yg.), n. Randolph Co., 16 Jun 1985 (JCR)
nested, Cypress Creek NWR, 27 Jun 1998 (M. Guetersloh)
3 nests, Union Co. CA, 30 Jul 1993 (M. O'Leary)
AUTUMN—These birds just seem to disappear after breeding. Very few are detected after mid-August.
1, east of Crainville, Williamson Co., 16 Aug 2013 (JG)
1, Rend Lake, 12 Oct 1987 (TF)
Documentation: Specimen—ad., n. Randolph Co., 15 May 1988 (SIU A-2163).
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Status and abundance: Common migrant and summer resident. Fairly common winter resident.
Habitat: Marshes, swamps, rivers, and reservoirs.
Records and remarks: Our largest heron is one of our most distinctive birds as well. It can really only be confused with Sandhill Crane, which is quite rare and not often associated with water. Migration occurs, but dates are difficult to assess because of large summer and winter populations. Daily high counts typically vary from a dozen to a few hundred depending on location, timing, and observer effort. Highest counts typically occur near breeding colonies and along the Mississippi River floodplains in mid- to late summer.
SPRING—Spring migration probably occurs between mid-February and mid-April in most years.
SUMMER—Nests are placed near the canopy of bottomland forest trees, often within large forest tracts (Graber et al. 1978). Breeding begins during March and continues into July. Many breeding colonies are located throughout southern Illinois. Numbers have continued to increase during the last few decades after the banning of DDT. Large nest colonies occur at Little Black Slough, Rend Lake, and at several sites near the Cache, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers.
AUTUMN—Fall migration begins with the arrival of post-breeding wanderers from south of Illinois during late Jul and early Aug. Numbers peak between mid-Aug and mid-Oct. Fall migration probably ends by late Nov in most years.
300, East Cape Girardeau, 9 Aug 2008 (KM, DK, MS)
112, Crab Orchard NWR, 12 Oct 1983 (JCR)
WINTER—Many linger into winter as long as open water is available. They can sometimes be seen fishing from the edges of holes in the ice in the center of large lakes.
151, Rend Lake, 21 Dec 1996 (KM, FB).
Documentation: Photograph—Mermet Lake, 18 Aug 1988 (SIU AP-227).
Great Egret Ardea alba
Late March - Early December
Status and abundance: Fairly common spring migrant in the west; uncommon spring migrant in the east. Locally fairly common summer resident. Common fall migrant in the west; uncommon fall migrant in the east. Rare winter visitor.
Habitat: Marshes, lakes, sloughs, and river borders.
Records and remarks: Great Egrets are generally less numerous in spring than fall, probably because birds present during fall include post-breeding wanderers from nesting colonies outside our region.
SPRING—Spring numbers vary widely from year to year. Most first arrivals are present by the last week of Mar, occasionally sooner. Numbers peak in Apr, then taper off to breeding population levels by early May.
SUMMER—Associates with colonies of Great Blue Herons. Much less numerous as a breeder than Great Blue Herons but numbers are again on the rise. Several locations at Little Black Slough and along the major rivers have breeding birds. A colony near Ware, Union Co., had 100 nests in 1973 (Graber et al. 1978). Numbers declined not long after that time, but have returned to those levels.
AUTUMN—Post-breeding wanderers begin arriving from south of Illinois by mid-Jul, usually peak in abundance during Aug and Sep, then retreat south later in fall. Numbers strongly influenced by summer rainfall and wetland availability.
41, w. Alexander Co., 26 Jul 1986 (WDR)
200, s.w. Jackson Co., 29 Aug 1974 (VK, HDB, C. Clark)
800, East Cape Girardeau, Alexander Co., 19 Aug 2019 (HD, DM)
5,500, s. Jackson Co., 20 Sep 2008 (CT, T. Kuesel)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 14 Dec 1983 (JCR)
1, Franklin Co., 15 Dec 1996 (BD)
1, Rend Lake, 16 Dec 2000 (RR, VL)
WINTER—Some birds linger into early winter. Very few attempt to overwinter.
1, Mermet Lake, 31 Dec 2003 – 24 Jan 2004 (FB, KM, CL)
1, Pine Hills, Union Co., 30 Jan-20 Feb 1994 (DK)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 1-4 Jan 2017 (DM, JG)
Documentation: Photograph—1, Cypress Creek NWR, Johnson Co., 28 Mar 2017 (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35496115).
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Late April – Early October
Status and abundance: Locally uncommon spring and fairly common fall migrant in Alexander, Union, Pulaski, Johnson and Jackson County floodplains. Occasional migrant in the rest of the region. Uncommon summer resident in Alexander County floodplains.
Habitat: Sloughs, flooded fields, and marshes.
Records and remarks: Snowy Egrets are generally more numerous during fall than spring, but numbers vary in both seasons from year to year. They are conspicuously more numerous in the western Floodplains.
SPRING—First spring arrivals are usually encountered during early Apr. Daily high counts rarely exceed 5 birds. A few are present all summer, so it is difficult to confidently identify average spring departure dates.
1, Cypress Creek NWR, 31 Mar 2009 (KM)
1, Oakwood Bottoms, 31 Mar 2012 (TH)
1, Union Co. CA, 3 Apr 1999 (DK)
5, Union Co., 19 Apr 1993 (KM)
SUMMER—A few Snowy Egrets breed in Alexander County in some years. Otherwise, summer sightings either involve non-breeders, post-breeders, or breeders commuting to our area to forage.
200, Dogtooth Island, Alexander Co., 30 May 2009 (MS, DK)
113, w. Alexander Co., 18 Jun 2003 (SB)
AUTUMN—Post-breeding wanderers begin appearing during mid-Jul, and numbers peak from late Jul through Aug. Most have departed by the end of Sep.
97, Alexander Co., 7 Jul 2008 (KM)
21, Ward Branch, Rend Lake, 3 Aug 2012 (LH)
151, w. Jackson Co., 21 Aug 1993 (CS)
275, East Cape Girardeau, 20 Sep 2008 (TM)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 9 Oct 2016 (DM, JG)
Documentation: Photograph—1, Crab Orchard NWR, 25 Sep 2014 (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S19943512).
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Early April – Early October
Status and abundance: Uncommon spring migrant, locally uncommon summer resident, and common fall migrant in western Floodplains. Rare spring migrant and uncommon fall migrant in remainder of region.
Habitat: Marshes, sloughs, rivers, and reservoirs.
Records and remarks: This medium-sized heron has three distinctive plumages: adults are all dark blue and maroon, immatures are all white except for dusky wingtips, and subadults are a mix of slate-colored blotches on white plumage. Birds of all ages have greenish legs. Distinctly more numerous in the west, many birds pass through the western Floodplains en route to and from colonies in the St. Louis area and elsewhere.
SPRING—During unusually warm springs a few birds arrive in late Mar, but more typically the first birds arrive in early Apr. Daily high counts rarely exceed 10 birds. Late spring sightings may represent late migrants or birds that have wandered in to foraging from nearby colonies in neighboring states.
ad., Crab Orchard NWR, 26 Mar 1988 (WDR)
ad., Union Co. CA, 29 Mar 1986 (TF, WDR)
119, Horseshoe Lake CA, 23 Apr 2008 (KM)
55, Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve, 28 Apr 2004 (KM)
SUMMER—In years when we have many flooded fields in the Alexander Co. floodplains, some birds remain to breed.
108, nw. Alexander Co., 3 Jun 1985 (K. Richmond, TF)
52, Ware, 5 Jun 2001 (SB)
45, East Cape Girardeau, 12 Jun 2006 (KM)
AUTUMN—An influx of post-breeding wanderers occurs in early Jul, many of which are the white immature birds.
1 ad. & 1 imm., Johnson Co., 10 Jul 1988 (TF)
1,250, Union and Alexander Cos., 13 Jul 2008 (T. Kuesel, CT)
20, Rend Lake, 22 July 1986 (LH)
40, Mermet Lake CA, 23 July 1988 (TF, WDR)
200, sw. Jackson Co., 29 Aug 1974 (VK, HDB, CC)
400, Union Co., 2 Sep 2001 (C. and J. McKee)
imm., Crab Orchard NWR, 21 Oct 1993 (TF)
Documentation: Specimen—Miller City, Alexander Co., 26 Apr 1969 (SIU A-2108).
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
Status and abundance: Very rare visitor.
Habitat: Marshes, sloughs, and rivers.
Records and remarks: This striking looking southern heron occurs as an over-migrant during spring or a post-breeding wanderer during late summer and autumn. Observers are encouraged to archive photos in eBird. Seven reports:
SPRING—1, near Ware, Union Co., 28 Apr 1974 (R. Madding)
1, Williamson and Franklin Cos., 16-17 May 1996 (BD, LS)
1, Black Bottoms, Pope Co., 18 May 1998 (FB)
1, East Cape Girardeau, 29 May 1999 (DK, MD)
SUMMER—1, near East Cape Girardeau, Alexander Co., 28 Jun 1969 (Anderson 1971)
1, Rend Lake, Jefferson Co., 9-10 Jul 1994 (TF, BD, JD)
Documentation: Photograph—1, near Ware, Union Co., 28 Apr 1974.
Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens
Status and abundance: Very rare visitor.
Habitat: Shallow lake margins.
Records and remarks: An adult was found foraging in shallow water at Ward Branch, Rend Lake, Jefferson Co., 12-13 Aug 2012 (LH, m.ob.).
Documentation: Photograph-1, Ward Branch, Rend Lake, 12 Aug 2012 (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S11334704).
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Early April – Early October
Status and abundance: Uncommon to fairly common migrant in western Floodplains. Occasional to uncommon migrant elsewhere. Locally uncommon summer resident in Alexander Co. floodplains.
Habitat: Marshes, sloughs, rivers, and reservoir margins. Also forages in pastures.
Records and remarks: The earliest record located so far for southern Illinois is a notation on an old Mermet Lake check-list of the sighting of 2 individuals there in May 1966. As with the other heron species, numbers vary from year to year according to wetland conditions. In some years, outside of the Apr-May spring migration window, they can be very difficult to find, especially away from the Floodplains.
SPRING—First arrivals are usually encountered near 1 Apr. Peak numbers are present from late April through mid-May, then decline quickly.
1, Jackson Co., 24 Mar 1996 (DK)
1, near Carbondale, 30 Mar 1981 (WDR)
12, Ina, Jefferson Co., 3 Apr 1986 (K. Pierson)
300, Union Co., 4 May 1993 (TF)
112, Franklin Co., 4 May 1996 (LS)
SUMMER—Breeds in the region (especially Alexander Co.) irregularly, depending on water conditions. Few birds are present during dry years.
100+ nests, nw. Alexander Co., summer 1985 (JCR)
600, Dogtooth Island, Alexander Co., 30 May 2009 (DK, MS)
1,082, Alexander Co., 3 Jun 1985 (TF, K. Richmond)
AUTUMN—Post-breeding wanderers begin arriving by early Jul, peak in Aug and early Sep, then typically depart by early Oct. Some, however, may linger quite late.
10,000, sw. Jackson Co., 23-30 Aug 1993 (CS, TF, BD et al.)
145, Pulaski Co., 4 Sep 1982 (P. Kittle)
3, Union Co. CA, 4 Dec 1984 (TF, JCR)
1, Waltonville, Jefferson Co., 9 Dec 1990 (TF)
Documentation: Photograph—Ozark, Johnson Co., 23 Nov 1990 (TF).
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Early April - Mid-October
Status and abundance: Common migrant and summer resident. Very rare winter visitor.
Habitat: Ponds, creeks, marshes, lakes, and rivers.
Records and remarks: Generally more solitary than most other herons, Green Herons are frequently encountered around farm ponds and along wooded creeks.
SPRING—First arrivals are back by 10 Apr. Daily counts usually range from 1 to 10 birds. Because there is a substantial breeding population, it is difficult to discern spring migrant departure dates.
1, Jackson Co., 24 Mar 2011 (RR)
1, Carbondale, 30 Mar 1949 (RB)
1, Carbondale, 31 Mar 1979 (HD)
SUMMER—Green Herons are very quiet around their nests, so not much information is available about nesting habits or success in the region.
AUTUMN--Post-breeding movements have begun by early Jul when birds begin to gather at roadside ditches and along lake margins. These early summer aggregations may consist primarily of local breeders and juveniles. Most have departed the region by 15 Oct, but a few may linger later, even into winter.
25, Alexander Co., 7 Jul 1984 (TF, JCR)
51, Orient, Franklin Co., 13 Aug 1994 (LS)
50, sw. Jackson Co., 29 Aug 1974 (VK, HDB, C. Clark)
1, Carbondale, 13 Nov 2002 (VL)
1, Alexander Co., 2 Dec 1983 (R. Bradley)
WINTER—1, Crab Orchard NWR, 17 Jan 1983 (TF)
Documentation: Specimen—2 miles n. of Cobden, Union Co., 6 June 1969 (SIU).
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Early April - Late October
Status and abundance: Uncommon migrant in Floodplains and Till Plain. Rare migrant in Shawnee Hills. Locally uncommon summer visitor. Rare summer resident. Very rare winter visitor.
Habitat: Marshes, sloughs, rivers, reservoirs, and wooded swamps.
Records and remarks: Apparently more numerous in the west than the east, this heron frequents dense vegetation and can be difficult to detect. They may come out into the open to forage in the early morning and late afternoon and evening. Adults are strikingly patterned with black, white, and gray, whereas immatures are brown with whitish spots. The immatures closely resemble immature Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, but have larger spots (especially on the back), shorter legs, chunkier head, and a longer, thinner bill.
SPRING—Often difficult to find during spring. A few may arrive during Mar, but most often the first birds are reported during April. Most migrants have departed by 10 May. Birds encountered later may be breeders or wanderers from colonies in nearby states.
1 ad., Rend Lake, 11 Mar 1989 (WDR)
1, Rend Lake, 28 Mar 1988 (TF)
1, Dixon Springs SP, Pope Co., 4 Apr 1985 (TF)
SUMMER—Breeds across from Alexander County in se. Missouri. Therefore, sightings in Alexander County during late May and Jun may be of individuals dispersing from that colony. May also breed at Rend Lake and Crab Orchard Lake.
2 ad., Klondike, Alexander Co., 26 May 1988 (WDR)
2, Pyramid SP, 17 Jun 2004 (SB)
20, Alexander Co., 26 Jun 1978 (MMo)
21, sw. Jackson Co., 28 Jun 1996 (BD)
AUTUMN—As with other heron species, post-breeding wanderers begin appearing in mid- to late summer. Black-crowned Night-Herons generally do not form large foraging groups.
11, Alexander Co., 16 July 1983 (JCR)
10, Rend Lake, 24 Aug 1985 (RP)
20, w. Jackson Co., 30 Aug 1993 (CS)
WINTER—Throughout their range, Black-crowned Night-Herons are hardy birds and may stay north well into winter.
imm., Union Co. CA, 19 Dec 1984 (Jim Smith et al.)
1, Massac Co., 19 Dec 2002 (FB)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 23 Dec 1985 (WDR)
Documentation: Photograph—1, Crab Orchard NWR, 20 Sep 2014 (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S19891663).
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea
Mid-April - Late August
Status and abundance: Uncommon migrant and locally uncommon summer resident in Floodplains. Rare migrant in Till Plain and Shawnee Hills.
Habitat: Swamps, marshes, sloughs, and reservoirs. Breeds in bottomland forest.
Records and remarks: Generally solitary, but sometimes forms small groups in appropriate habitat. Very few records from the east, but this may be due in part to reduced coverage by observers.
SPRING—First arrivals are usually detected in mid-Apr, but sometimes a few appear in late Mar. Daily high counts are low, typically not exceeding 5 birds except in areas near breeding colonies.
1, Oakwood Bottoms, Jackson Co., 22 Mar 1986 (TF, WDR)
4, Cache River SNA, Johnson Co., 25 Mar 2008 (MML)
1, Rend Lake, Jefferson Co., 17 Apr 1987 (TF)
9, s.w. Jackson Co., 1 May 1985 (VK)
14, Jackson Co., 7 May 1977 (SBC)
11, Oakwood Bottoms, 16 May 2014 (D. Williams)
2, Rend Lake, 30 May 1987 (TF)
SUMMER—Probably nests each year across the Floodplains and at a few locations near the larger reservoirs.
4 nests, Buttonland Swamp, Pulaski Co., 30 Apr 1983 (M. Mlodinow)
14, Oakwood Bottoms, Jackson Co., 7 Jun 1975 (HDB)
ad. and 3 yg., Rend Lake, 27 Jul 1998 (LS)
AUTUMN—There is not usually any obvious influx of post-breeding wanderers. The few small concentrations observed in the past have been near summer breeding areas. Most birds have departed by early Sep.
21, sw. Jackson Co., 24 Jul 1986 (WDR)
imm., Mt. Vernon, Jefferson Co., 15 Aug 1988 (TF)
15, sw. Jackson Co., 29 Aug 1974 (VK, HDB, C. Clark)
1, Alexander Co., 9 Sep 1993 (TF)
1, Grand Tower, 20 Sep 2008 (DS)
Documentation: Photograph—Mt. Vernon, Jefferson Co., 15 Aug 1988 (SIU AP-173).
Family Threskiornithidae
White Ibis Eudocimus albus
Status and abundance: Very rare visitor.
Habitat: Sloughs, swampy thickets, and marshes.
Records and remarks: This charismatic wading bird is found in the same habitats where herons and egrets occur, so will usually be found while searching those floodplain habitats. Not detected annually, but the rate of occurrence seems to have increased in the last 20 years.
SPRING—adult, Ward Branch, Rend Lake, Jefferson Co., 22 Apr – 4 May 2006 (DK, T. Dever, m.ob.)
2, Massac Co., 28 Apr 2011 (FB)
1, Union Co. CA, 30 Apr 2011 (J. Lichtenstein, m.ob.)
AUTUMN—imm., Willard, Alexander Co., 5 Jul 1986 (WDR)
imm., Kaskaskia Island, Randolph Co., 11-19 Jul 2018 (R. Snow, m.ob.)
imm., Grand Tower, Jackson Co., 7-20 Jul 2017 (DM, m.ob.)
1, Union Co., 13 Jul 1973 (M. Homoya)
1, Alexander Co., 20 Aug 2011 (DM)
imm., w. Jackson Co., 26-28 Aug 1993 (TF, CS)
imm., East Cape Girardeau, 6 Sep 2008 (KM, MS, m.ob.)
imm., sw. Jackson Co., 29 Oct 1983 (J. Nawrot)
Documentation: Photograph—adult, Rend Lake, Jefferson Co., 22 Apr 2006 (https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42573766 ).
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Status and abundance: Very rare spring and fall visitor.
Habitat: Sloughs, flooded fields, and swamps.
Records and remarks: The two North American Plegadis ibises pose a difficult identification problem. Close views are needed to see the appropriate fieldmarks well enough to confidently separate Glossy Ibis from White-faced Ibis (P. chihi). During spring, adults can be separated by differences in iris and facial skin color, and amount of white feathering around the edge of the facial skin. During fall it is extremely difficult to separate these two species, because facial skin color fades, age determination must be made before iris color can be used correctly, and the white feathers along the edge of the facial skin are absent.
SPRING—Some records have sufficient details to indicate Glossy Ibis.
1, East Cape Girardeau, 23 Apr - 5 May 2008 (KM, D. Williams, m.ob.)
1, Easter Slough, Pulaski Co., 28 Apr 2012 (MML, m.ob.)
2, Cypress Creek NWR, Pulaski Co., 8 May 1993 (Fink 1993b)
2, Crab Orchard NWR, 5 May 2002 (L. Wegman, J. O’Malley)
7-9, Crab Orchard NWR, 22-25 May 2015 (W. Wood, m.ob.)
Other ibis records probably best left as Glossy/White-faced Ibis:
SPRING—1, sw. Jackson Co., 6 May 1972 (M. J. McNerney)
AUTUMN—1, Franklin Co., 18-21 Sep 2003 (LS)
1, sw. Jackson Co., 7-8 Oct 1984 (SO et al.)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 19 Oct 1980 (HD, B. Gelman; photo in IAB 196:39)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 23 Oct 1972 (G. Cooper)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 28 Oct 1993 (BD)
Documentation: Photograph—5, Crab Orchard NWR, 24 May 2015 (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S23673729).
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi
Status and abundance: Very rare visitor.
Habitat: Sloughs, flooded fields, and swamps.
Records and remarks: Very similar to Glossy Ibis. See Glossy Ibis account for identification issues. Best identified to species during spring when adults have white border around the facial skin. Otherwise, exceptional photos and views are needed to identify more specifically than the Glossy/White-faced Ibis option.
SPRING—2, Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve, 10-11 Apr 2009 (KM, MML)
1, Pulaski Co., 23 Apr 2017 (KM, m.ob.)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 21 Apr 2015 (JG)
3, Mermet Lake, 24 Apr 2010 (KM, MS, DK)
6, near Ware, 25 Apr 2008 (G. and C. Williamson, m.ob.)
1, near Horseshoe Lake CA, 26-27 Apr 2014 (PM, SB, m.ob.)
SUMMER—1, Levee Rd., Union Co., 11 Jul 2011 (m.ob.)
AUTUMN--1, Perry Co., 20-21 Oct 2012 (MS, LS, DM)
Documentation: Photograph—1, Pulaski Co., 23 Apr 2017 (https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S36249208).
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja
Status and abundance: Very rare visitor.
Habitat: Flooded fields and swales.
Records and remarks: A truly exciting bird to find, especially well north of its normal range, a group of 4 appeared in Sep 2008 for the first documented southern Illinois record. Another was reported on 17 Aug 2018 at Rend Lake, near Bonnie, then relocated and photographed by multiple observers. Since then, other August records have occurred in Hardin and Williamson counties.
4, from Ware, Union Co., to sw. Jackson Co., 5-28 Sep 2008 (DKv, DK, KM, m.ob.)
1, near Bonnie, Rend Lake, Jefferson Co., 17-20 Aug 2018 (m.ob., https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47938722 )
1, Hardin Co., 29 Aug 2020 (C. Taylor, https://ebird.org/checklist/S72948843 )
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 20 Aug - 4 Sep 2021 (KRo, K. Banning, m.ob., https://ebird.org/checklist/S93509033 )
Documentation: Photograph--Rend Lake record.