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4/30/2025

Spring migration turns Illinois into a stopover for some of North America’s most colorful and musical birds. These species arrive from wintering grounds in Central and South America, bringing bright feathers, cheerful songs and bursts of energy. Some stick around to breed, while others pause briefly before heading farther north. Whether you're a backyard birder or a casual observer, these 10 spring migrants are worth watching for. Here’s how to spot them and how to make your yard more inviting during their stay.

Rose-breasted grosbeak

The rose-breasted grosbeak is a true showstopper. Males wear a crisp black-and-white suit with a bold splash of rose on the chest, as if they’ve just dipped into a bowl of berries — but it’s all feathers, not fruit. Females are more understated, with warm brown streaked plumage and pale underparts, often with a subtle wash of yellow or peach. Though less flashy, their beauty lies in subtle detail. Both sexes share a rich, flute-like song that’s often compared to a more polished version of a robin’s, adding music to spring mornings across the state.

When to expect them: mid-April through early October.
Attract with: sunflower seeds on platform feeders and fruit-bearing shrubs like serviceberry.

Yellow warbler

If sunshine had wings, it would look like the yellow warbler. With bright yellow plumage and faint rusty streaks on the breast, this small songbird lights up shrubs and forest edges. Its cheerful “sweet-sweet-sweet, I’m so sweet” song is one of the most uplifting sounds of spring. Yellow warblers are also fiercely protective parents. Females often recognize when a brown-headed cowbird has slipped an egg into their nest, and in response they may build a brand-new layer of nesting material right over the intruder’s egg to protect their own young.

When to expect them: late April through early August.
Attract with: native shrubs and wetland-edge plants, along with shallow water sources for bathing.

Ruby-throated hummingbird

Who doesn't love hummingbirds? No bigger than a thumb and weighing less than a nickel, these tiny birds are not only adorable but also astonishingly agile, capable of hovering midair and flying backward with ease. They’re the only hummingbird species that breeds in the eastern United States. Both sexes have shimmering emerald backs, but only males sport the brilliant ruby-red throat that flashes in the sunlight. Look for them darting between flowers or visiting feeders as they prepare for nesting season.

When to expect them: late April through early October.
Attract with: sugar-water feeders (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) and native tubular flowers like wild bergamont and cardinal flower.

Scarlet tanager

The northern cardinal may be famous for its fiery plumage, but it has a serious rival — the scarlet tanager. A male tanager has bright red feathers and jet-black wings, often hidden high in the canopy where it flickers among the branches. Its call resembles a robin’s song but with a hoarse, buzzy quality, earning it the nickname “the robin with a sore throat.” These birds prefer quiet, mature woodlands and can be surprisingly hard to spot despite their bold coloring. Females look entirely different, wearing olive-yellow tones that help them blend into the treetops while nesting.

When to expect them: early May through late August.
Attract with: Tall native oaks that support a rich supply of caterpillars during the breeding season, and native fruiting shrubs like serviceberry to provide energy-rich berries in late summer and fall. While they don’t usually visit feeders, placing cut fruit like oranges or berries on a platform feeder during migration may occasionally draw them in.

Indigo bunting

Few birds are as eye-catching in sunlight as the indigo bunting. The male shines in vivid, electric blue from beak to tail, though in shaded light he may appear almost black. His cheerful, paired notes echo from treetops and open brushy areas, especially along roadsides and field edges. Despite their bright color, indigo buntings are often heard before they’re seen. Females wear warm brown plumage with subtle streaking, helping them stay hidden while nesting. These birds migrate at night, using the stars to navigate thousands of miles between their winter and summer homes.

When to expect them: early May through late September.
Attract with: open, sunny areas with native grasses, shrubs and weedy edges. Offer white millet or sunflower seeds in low feeders, and avoid mowing or clearing brush during nesting season.

Baltimore oriole

Perhaps the most iconic spring migrant of them all, the Baltimore oriole is known for its flaming orange plumage and rich, whistled song that floats through neighborhoods and woodlands alike. This striking bird is one of the most anticipated arrivals, often appearing just as the trees leaf out. Males are unmistakable in bright orange and black, while females wear softer shades of yellow-orange and gray. Orioles weave elaborate, sock-like nests that hang from the tips of tree branches, usually high in tall deciduous trees like maples. They’re also enthusiastic feeders, eagerly visiting backyard setups stocked with orange halves and grape jelly. Once they discover a food source, they often return daily — sometimes with young in tow later in the season.

When to expect them: late April through early September.
Attract with: halved oranges, grape jelly, nectar feeders and native fruiting trees. Maintain open canopy trees or woodland edges and avoid pesticide use to support their insect-rich diet during breeding.

Blue-gray gnatcatcher

Slate-blue above and bright white below, the blue-gray gnatcatcher is tiny, quick and full of character. It constantly flicks its long, white-edged tail as it darts after insects, often moving with the energy of a much larger bird. One of the earliest songbirds to return each spring, it's more often heard than seen — its sharp, nasal calls resemble a squeaky toy hidden in the trees. During nesting season, gnatcatchers build delicate cup-shaped nests lined with spider silk and lichen, making them almost invisible against tree branches.

When to expect them: mid-April through early September.
Attract with: native trees and shrubs that host insects, a pesticide-free yard and layered vegetation for foraging.

Eastern towhee

The male eastern towhee is a striking, oversized sparrow with bold black upperparts, rich rufous sides and a bright white belly. He sings a clear “drink-your-tea” from low shrubs or thickets, often while flashing his tail to show off white outer feathers. Females share the same pattern but wear warm chocolate brown in place of black, blending in perfectly with the underbrush. Towhees are ground foragers, scratching energetically through leaf litter with a two-footed hop to uncover seeds, insects and fallen berries. Their preference for dense, shrubby cover makes them more often heard than seen, but patient watching near brushy edges can yield a close look.

When to expect them: late March through early October.
Attract with: brush piles, ground-level seed (especially millet or sunflower) and plenty of leaf litter for foraging and nesting cover.

Wood thrush

If you love polka dots, this bird is for you. The wood thrush may not be the most colorful species in the forest, but its bold, spotted breast and warm cinnamon-brown back give it a striking look. It’s not often easy to spot — this bird prefers the dim understory of dense, shady woodlands and moves with calm, deliberate steps. But what it lacks in flash, it makes up for in song. Its flutelike voice is one of the most beautiful and distinctive sounds of spring, echoing through the woods at dawn and dusk.

When to see them: late April through late August.
Attract with: native understory plants, deep leaf litter and a quiet, shaded yard with minimal disturbance.

Blue-headed vireo

There’s something steady and thoughtful about the blue-headed vireo. Unlike many quick-moving migrants, this bird forages calmly through mid-level branches, pausing frequently as it searches for insects among the leaves. It has a powder-blue head, crisp white “spectacles” around the eyes and olive-green flanks that blend beautifully into spring foliage. Its song is a slow, measured series of sweet, rising phrases, often described as sounding like a conversation in bird form. Though not as flashy as some other migrants, it has a quiet charm that makes spotting one especially rewarding. This is one of the first vireos to arrive in spring and one of the few that reliably sings even during migration.

When to see them: mid-April through mid-May, again in fall.
Attract with: tall native trees, woodland edges and diverse plantings that support a healthy insect population.

Welcoming migrants to your yard

To support spring migrants, plant a variety of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers that host insects and provide natural food. Keep a clean birdbath or shallow fountain available, and skip pesticides to preserve the insect life many birds depend on. Even a small yard with layered vegetation — trees, shrubs and ground cover — can serve as a crucial stopover for these long-distance travelers.

• Native plants: Provide food, shelter and insect habitat.

• Water features: Add birdbaths or fountains for hydration and bathing.

• No pesticides: Bugs are bird fuel!

• Layer your landscaping: A combination of trees, shrubs and low cover will result in some happy birds.