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Birds of Indiana List

This list of Indiana's bird species was compiled by the state's Ornithologist based on accepted taxonomic standards and other relevant information. It is periodically reviewed and updated. References for scientific names are listed at the bottom. Revised September 2021

Key to status: (SC) Special Concern; (SE) State Endangered; (FT) Federal Threatened; (FE) Federal Endangered; (FC) Federal Candidate; (X) exotic/introduced; (-) not listed

This list of Indiana's bird species was compiled by the state's Ornithologist based on accepted taxonomic standards and other relevant information. It is periodically reviewed and updated. References for scientific names are listed at the bottom. Revised September 2021

Common NameScientific NameStatus
Family: Anatidae (ducks, geese, and swans)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis -
Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor -
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons -
Snow Goose Anser caerulescens -
Ross's Goose Anser rossii -
Brant Branta bernicla -
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis -
Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii -
Canada Goose Branta canadensis -
Mute Swan Cygnus olor X
Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator SE
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus -
Wood Duck Aix sponsa -
Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors -
Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera -
Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata -
Gadwall Mareca strepera -
Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope -
American Wigeon Mareca americana -
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos -
American Black Duck Anas rubripes -
Mottled Duck Anas fulvigula -
Northern Pintail Anas acuta -
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca -
Canvasback Aythya valisineria -
Redhead Aythya americana -
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris -
Greater Scaup Aythya marila -
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis -
King Eider Somateria spectabilis -
Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus -
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata -
White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi -
Black Scoter Melanitta americana -
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis -
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola -
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula -
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica -
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus -
Common Merganser Mergus merganser -
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator -
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis -
Family: Odontophoridae (quail)
Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus SC
Family: Phasianidae (turkeys, grouse, and pheasants)
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo -
Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus SE
Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus X
Family: Podicipedidae (grebes)
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps -
Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus -
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena -
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis -
Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis -
Family: Columbidae (pigeons and doves)
Rock Pigeon Columba livia X
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata -
Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto X
Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina -
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica -
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura -
Family: Cuculidae (anis and cuckoos)
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris -
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus -
Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus SC
Family: Caprimulgidae (nighthawks and nightjars)
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor SC
Chuck-will's-widow Antrostomus carolinensis -
Eastern Whip-poor-will Antrostomus vociferus SC
Family: Apodidae (swifts)
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica -
Family: Trochilidae (hummingbirds)
Mexican Violetear Colibri thalassinus -
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris -
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri -
Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna -
Calliope Hummingbird Selasphorus calliope -
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus -
Family: Rallidae (rails, gallinules, and coots)
King Rail Rallus elegans SE
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola SE
Sora Porzana carolina -
Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata SE
American Coot Fulica americana -
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus -
Yellow Rail Coturnicops noveboracensis -
Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis SE, FT
Family: Gruidae (cranes)
Sandhill Crane Antigone canadensis SC
Common Crane Grus grus -
Hooded Crane Grus monacha -
Whooping Crane Grus americana SE, FE
Family: Recurvirostridae (stilts and avocets)
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus -
American Avocet Recurvirostra americana -
Family: Charadriidae (plovers)
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola -
American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica SC
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus -
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus -
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus SE, FE
Lesser Sand-Plover Charadrius mongolus -
Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia -
Mountain Plover Charadrius montanus -
Snowy Plover Charadrius nivosus -
Family: Scolopacidae (sandpipers and phalaropes)
Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda SE
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus -
Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus -
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa -
Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica SC
Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa -
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres SC
Red Knot Calidris canutus SE, FT
Ruff Calidris pugnax -
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata -
Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus -
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea -
Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis -
Sanderling Calidris alba -
Dunlin Calidris alpina -
Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima -
Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii -
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla -
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis -
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis SC
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos -
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla -
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri -
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus SC
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus -
American Woodcock Scolopax minor SC
Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata -
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius -
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria SC
Wandering Tattler Tringa incana -
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes -
Willet Tringa semipalmata -
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus -
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca SC
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor SC
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus -
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius -
Family: Stercorariidae (jaegers)
Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus -
Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus -
Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus -
Family: Alcidae (murres and murrelets)
Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus perdix -
Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus -
Family: Laridae (gulls, terns, and skimmers)
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla -
Sabine's Gull Xema sabini -
Bonaparte's Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia -
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus -
Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus -
Ross's Gull Rhodostethia rosea -
Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla -
Franklin's Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan -
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris -
Mew Gull Larus canus -
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis -
California Gull Larus californicus -
Herring Gull Larus argentatus -
Iceland Gull  Larus glaucoides -
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus -
Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus -
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus -
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus -
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus -
Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus -
Least Tern Sternula antillarum SE
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica -
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia -
Black Tern Chlidonias niger SE
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus -
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii -
Common Tern Sterna hirundo -
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea -
Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri -
Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus -
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger -
Family: Gaviidae (loons)
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata -
Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica -
Common Loon Gavia immer -
Yellow-billed Loon Gavia adamsii -
Family: Hydrobatidae (storm-petrels)
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel Hydrobates castro -
Family: Ciconiidae (storks)
Wood Stork Mycteria americana -
Family: Fregatidae (frigatebirds)
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens -
Family: Sulidae (boobies and gannets)
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster -
Northern Gannet Morus bassanus -
Family: Phalacrocoracidae (cormorants)
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus -
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus -
Family: Pelecanidae (pelicans)
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos -
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis -
Family: Ardeidae (bitterns, herons, and egrets)
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus SE
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis SE
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias -
Great Egret Ardea alba SC
Snowy Egret Egretta thula -
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea -
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor -
Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens -
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis -
Green Heron Butorides virescens -
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax SE
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea SE
Family: Threskiornithidae (ibises and spoonbills)
White Ibis Eudocimus albus -
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus -
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi -
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja -
Family: Cathartidae (vultures)
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus -
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura -
Family: Pandionidae (osprey)
Osprey Pandion haliaetus SC
Family: Accipitridae (kites, eagles, and hawks)
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus -
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus -
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos -
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius SE
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus SC
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii -
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis -
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus -
Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis SC
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus -
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus SC
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni -
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis -
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus -
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis -
Family: Tytonidae (barn owls)
Barn Owl Tyto alba SE
Family: Strigidae (typical owls)
Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops asio -
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus -
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus -
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia -
Barred Owl Strix varia -
Long-eared Owl Asio otus SC
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus SE
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus -
Family: Alcedinidae (kingfishers)
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon -
Family: Picidae (woodpeckers)
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus -
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus -
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius -
Black-backed Woodpecker Picoides arcticus -
Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens -
Hairy Woodpecker Dryobates villosus -
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus -
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus -
Family: Falconidae (falcons and caracaras)
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway -
American Kestrel Falco sparverius -
Merlin Falco columbarius -
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus -
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus SC
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus -
Family: Psittacidae (parakeets)
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus X
Family: Tyrannidae (flycatchers)
Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus -
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus -
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis -
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus -
Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis -
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus -
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana -
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi -
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus -
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens -
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris -
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens -
Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum -
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii -
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus -
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe -
Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya -
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus -
Family: Laniidae (shrikes)
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus SE
Northern Shrike Lanius borealis -
Family: Vireonidae (vireos)
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus -
Bell's Vireo Vireo bellii -
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons -
Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius -
Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus -
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus -
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus -
Family: Corvidae (jays, magpies, crows, and ravens)
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata -
California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma sp. -
Black-billed Magpie Pica hudsonia -
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos -
Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus -
Common Raven Corvus corax -
Family: Alaudidae (larks)
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris -
Family: Hirundinidae (martins and swallows)
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia -
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor -
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis -
Purple Martin Progne subis -
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica -
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota -
Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva -
Family: Paridae (chickadees and titmice)
Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis -
Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus -
Boreal Chickadee Poecile hudsonicus -
Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor -
Family: Sittidae (nuthatches)
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis -
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis -
Pygmy/Brown-headed Nuthatch Sitta sp. -
Family: Certhiidae (creepers)
Brown Creeper Certhia americana -
Family: Troglodytidae (wrens)
Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus -
House Wren Troglodytes aedon -
Winter Wren Troglodytes hiemalis -
Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis SE
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris SE
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus -
Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii -
Family: Polioptilidae (gnatcatchers)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Certhia americana -
Family: Regulidae (kinglets)
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa -
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula -
Family: Muscicapidae (Old World flycatchers)
Northern Wheatear Certhia americana -
Family: Turdidae (thrushes)
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis -
Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides -
Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi -
Veery Catharus fuscescens -
Gray-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus -
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus -
Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus -
Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina -
American Robin Turdus migratorius -
Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius -
Family: Mimidae (mockingbirds and thrashers)
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis -
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum -
Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus -
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos -
Family: Sturnidae (starlings)
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris X
Family: Bombycillidae (waxwings)
Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus -
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum -
Family: Passeridae (Old World sparrows)
House Sparrow Passer domesticus X
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus X
Family: Motacillidae (pipits)
American Pipit Anthus rubescens -
Family: Fringillidae (finches)
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla -
Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus -
Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator -
House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus X
Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus -
Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea -
Hoary Redpoll Acanthis hornemanni -
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra -
White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera -
Pine Siskin Spinus pinus -
American Goldfinch Spinus tristis -
Family: Calcariidae (longspurs and snow buntings)
Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus -
Smith's Longspur Calcarius pictus -
McCown's Longspur Rhynchophanes mccownii -
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis -
Family: Passerellidae (sparrows)
Cassin's Sparrow Peucaea cassinii -
Bachman's Sparrow Peucaea aestivalis -
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum SC
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus -
Lark Bunting Calamospiza melanocorys -
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina -
Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida -
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla -
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca -
American Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea -
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis -
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys -
Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla -
Harris's Sparrow Zonotrichia querula -
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis -
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus -
Le Conte's Sparrow Ammospiza leconteii -
Nelson's Sparrow Ammospiza nelsoni -
Henslow's Sparrow Centronyx henslowii SE
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis -
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia -
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii -
Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana -
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus -
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus -
Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus -
Family: Icteriidae (yellow-breasted chats)
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens -
Family: Icteridae (blackbirds and orioles)
Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus SE
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus -
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna -
Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta SC
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius -
Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii -
Audubon's Oriole Icterus graduacauda -
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula -
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus -
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater -
Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus -
Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus -
Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula -
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus -
Family: Parulidae (New World warblers)
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla -
Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum SC
Louisiana Waterthrush Parkesia motacilla -
Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis -
Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera SE
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanoptera -
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia SC
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea -
Swainson's Warbler Limnothlypis swainsonii -
Tennessee Warbler Leiothlypis peregrina -
Orange-crowned Warbler Leiothlypis celata -
Nashville Warbler Leiothlypis ruficapilla -
Connecticut Warbler Oporornis agilis -
Mourning Warbler Geothlypis philadelphia -
Kentucky Warbler Geothlypis formosa -
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas -
Hooded Warbler Setophaga citrina SC
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla -
Kirtland's Warbler Setophaga kirtlandii SE
Cape May Warbler Setophaga tigrina -
Cerulean Warbler Setophaga cerulea SE
Northern Parula Setophaga americana -
Magnolia Warbler Setophaga magnolia -
Bay-breasted Warbler Setophaga castanea -
Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca -
Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia -
Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga pensylvanica -
Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata -
Black-throated Blue Warbler Setophaga caerulescens -
Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum -
Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus -
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata -
Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica -
Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor -
Black-throated Gray Warbler Setophaga nigrescens -
Townsend's Warbler Setophaga townsendi -
Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens -
Canada Warbler Cardellina canadensis -
Wilson's Warbler Cardellina pusilla -
Family: Cardinalidae (tanagers, cardinals, and grosbeaks)
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra -
Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea -
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana -
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis -
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus -
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus -
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea -
Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena -
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea -
Painted Bunting Passerina ciris -
Dickcissel Spiza americana -

References

  1. Chesser, R. T., K. J. Burns, C. Cicero, J. L. Dunn, A. W. Kratter, I. J. Lovette, P. C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen, Jr., D. F. Stotz,  and K. Winker. 2019. Check-list of North American Birds (online). American Ornithological Society. http://checklist.aou.org/taxa
  2. Indiana Audubon Society, Indiana Bird Records Committee, Official State Bird Checklist: https://indianaaudubon.org/official-ibrc-bird-checklist/
  3. Roth, K., personal communication, September 24, 2020.

Support Indiana's nearly 160 Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The management and conservation of these species is supported through the generosity of Hoosiers who donate to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund. To donate, visit the Nongame Wildlife Fund Donation page.

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