Indiana Audubon Society

Indiana Bird Records Committee

Official State Bird Checklist


Indiana's Official State Bird Checklist contains 413 species for which there is adequate evidence, either verified evidence (specimen, photograph, etc.) or convincing details, and for which origin is not questioned.  At the end of the Checklist are species categorized as Origin Hypothetical.  Species designated as Origin Hypothetical involve single records of that species where the correct identification has been established but for which origin is unresolved.  See the Seasonal Checklist for additional information for species appearing on the Official Bird Checklist. 

 

Quick links to individual families:  

Waterfowl: Swans, Geese, and Ducks

Falcons Swifts Gnatcatchers
Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys Rails, Gallinules, and Coots Hummingbirds Thrushes
Quails Cranes Kingfishers Mimics
Loons Plovers Woodpeckers Starlings
Grebes Stilts and Avocets Flycatchers Pipits
Storm-Petrels Sandpipers and Phalaropes Shrikes Waxwings
Gannets Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers Vireos Warblers
Pelicans Jaegers Jays, Magpies, Crows, Ravens Tanagers
Cormorants Murres and Murrelets Larks Sparrows
Frigatebirds Pigeons and Doves Martins and Swallows Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Buntings, etc
Bitterns, Herons, and Egrets Parakeets Chickadees and Titmice Blackbirds and Orioles
Ibises Cuckoos and Anis Nuthatches Finches
Storks Barn Owls Creepers Old World Sparrows
Vultures Typical Owls Wrens
Kites, Eagles, Hawks, etc Nighthawks and Nightjars Kinglets Origin Hypothetical Species


KEY to the official checklist:


Waterfowl: Swans, Geese, and DucksAnatidae[return to top]
Black-bellied Whistling-DuckDendrocygna autumnalisReview species
Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolorReview species
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons
Snow Goose Chen caerulescens
Ross's Goose Chen rossii
Brant Branta berniclaReview species
Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Mute Swan Cygnus olor(I)
Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator (E)
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus
Wood Duck Aix sponsa
Gadwall Anas strepera
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Review species
American Wigeon Anas americana
American Black DuckAnas rubripes
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera Review species
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
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 spectabilisReview species
Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicusReview species
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata
White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca
Black Scoter Melanitta nigra
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandicaReview species
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus
Common Merganser Mergus merganser
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
 
Pheasants, Grouse, TurkeysPhasianidae[return to top]
Gray Partridge Perdix perdix (I), (E)
Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus (I)
Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus 
Greater Prairie-Chicken Tympanuchus cupido(E)
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo
 
QuailsOdontophoridae[return to top]
Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus
 
LoonsGaviidae[return to top]
Red-throated LoonGavia stellata
Pacific LoonGavia pacifica
Common LoonGavia immer
Yellow-billed LoonGavia adamsiiReview species
 
GrebesPodicipedidae[return to top]
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis
 
Storm-PetrelsHydrobatidae[return to top]
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma castroReview species
 
Gannets Sulidae
Northern Gannet Morus bassanus Review species
 
PelicansPelecanidae[return to top]
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Review species
 
CormorantsPhalacrocoracidae[return to top]
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
 
FrigatebirdsFregatidae[return to top]
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificensReview species
 
Bitterns, Herons, and EgretsArdeidae[return to top]
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Review species
Reddish Egret Egretta rufescensReview species
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea
 
IbisesThreskiornithidae [return to top]
White Ibis Eudocimus albusReview species
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellusReview species
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi Review species
 
StorksCiconiidae[return to top]
Wood Stork Mycteria americanaReview species
 
VulturesCathartidae[return to top]
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
 
Kites, Eagles, Hawks, etc.Accipitridae[return to top]
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatusReview species
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus Review species
Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis Review species
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Review species
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni Review species
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensis
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis Review species
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
 
FalconsFalconidae[return to top]
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Merlin Falco columbarius
GyrfalconFalco rusticolusReview species
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus Review species
 
Rails, Gallinules, and CootsRallidae[return to top]
Yellow Rail Coturnicops noveboracensisReview species
Black RailLaterallus jamaicensisReview species
King Rail Rallus elegans
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola
Sora Porzana carolina
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicaReview species
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
American Coot Fulica americana
 
CranesGruidae[return to top]
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis
Common CraneGrus grus Review species
Whooping CraneGrus americana (E)
 
PloversCharadriidae[return to top]
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica
Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Review species
Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia Review species
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Mountain Plover Charadrius montanus Review species
 
Stilts and AvocetsRecurvirostridae[return to top]
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
American Avocet Recurvirostra americana
 
Sandpipers and PhalaropesScolopacidae[return to top]
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Willet Tringa semipalmata
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda
Eskimo Curlew Numenius borealis(X)
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopusReview species
Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus Review species
Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica
Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Red Knot Calidris canutusReview species
Sanderling Calidris alba
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Review species
Red-necked StintCalidris ruficollis Review species
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis
Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminataReview species
Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaReview species
Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis
Ruff Philomachus pugnaxReview species
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus
Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata
American Woodcock Scolopax minor
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicariusReview species
 
Gulls, Terns, and SkimmersLaridae[return to top]
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan
Little Gull Larus minutusReview species
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Review species
Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostrisReview species
Mew Gull Larus canusReview species
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
California Gull Larus californicus Review species
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Thayer's Gull Larus thayeriReview species
Iceland Gull Larus glaucoidesReview species
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 
Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagusReview species
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreusReview species
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinusReview species
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus Review species
Sabine's Gull Xema sabini Review species
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactylaReview species
Ross's Gull Rhodostethia rosea Review species
Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus Review species
Least Tern Sternula antillarum
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Review species
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
Black Tern Chlidonias niger
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Review species
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii Review species
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaeaReview species
Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri
Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus Review species
Black Skimmer Rynchops nigerReview species
   
Jaegers [return to top]
Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinusReview species
Parasitic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusReview species
Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudusReview species
 
Murres and MurreletsAlcidae[return to top]
Thick-billed Murre Uria lomviaReview species
Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus perdixReview species
Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquusReview species
 
Pigeons and DovesColumbidae[return to top]
Rock Pigeon Columba livia (I)
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Review species
Eurasian Collared-DoveStreptopelia decaocto (I)
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica Review species
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius(X)
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerinaReview species
 
ParakeetsPsittacidae[return to top]
Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachus(I)
Carolina ParakeetConuropsis carolinensis(X)
 
Cuckoos and AnisCuculidae[return to top]
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus
Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostrisReview species
 
Barn OwlsTytonidae[return to top]
Barn Owl Tyto alba
 
Typical OwlsStrigidae[return to top]
Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops asio
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus
Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia Review species
Barred OwlStrix varia
Long-eared Owl Asio otus
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus
 
Nighthawks and NightjarsCaprimulgidae[return to top]
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor
Chuck-will's-widow Caprimulgus carolinensis
Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus
 
SwiftsApodidae[return to top]
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica
 
HummingbirdsTrochilidae[return to top]
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
Black-chinned HummingbirdArchilochus alexandri Review species
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus  
 
KingfishersAlcedinidae[return to top]
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
 
WoodpeckersPicidae[return to top]
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusReview species
Northern FlickerColaptes auratus
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatus
 
FlycatchersTyrannidae[return to top]
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus Review species
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 Review species
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus Review species
Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis Review species
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus
Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis Review species
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus Review species
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana Review species
     
ShrikesLaniidae[return to top]
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus
Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor
 
VireosVireonidae[return to top]
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus
Bell's Vireo Vireo bellii
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons
Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
 
Jays, Magpies, Crows, and RavensCorvidae[return to top]
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata
Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica Review species
Black-billed Magpie Pica hudsonia Review species
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos
Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus Review species
Common Raven Corvus corax Review species
 
LarksAlaudidae[return to top]
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris
 
Martins and SwallowsHirundinidae[return to top]
Purple Martin Progne subis
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva Review species
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
 
Chickadees and TitmiceParidae[return to top]
Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis
Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus
Boreal Chickadee Poecile hudsonica Review species
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolor
 
NuthatchesSittidae[return to top]
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
Pygmy/Brown-headed Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea/Sitta pusilla Record equivocal as to individual species
 
CreepersCerthiidae[return to top]
Brown Creeper Certhia americana
 
WrensTroglodytidae[return to top]
Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus Review species
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii Review species
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris
 
KingletsRegulidae[return to top]
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
 
GnatcatchersSylviidae[return to top]
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
 
ThrushesTurdidae[return to top]
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Review species
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides Review species
Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi Review species
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
 
MimicsMimidae[return to top]
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus Review species
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum
 
StarlingsSturnidae[return to top]
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris (I)
 
PipitsMotacillidae[return to top]
American Pipit Anthus rubescens
 
WaxwingsBombycillidae[return to top]
Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulusReview species
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum
 
WarblersParulidae[return to top]
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus
Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla
Northern Parula Parula americana
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica
Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia
Cape May Warbler Dendroica tigrina
Black-throated Blue Warbler Dendroica caerulescens
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
Black-throated Gray WarblerDendroica nigrescens Review species
Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi Review species
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca
Yellow-throated Warbler Dendroica dominica
Pine Warbler Dendroica pinus
Kirtland's Warbler Dendroica kirtlandiiReview species
Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor
Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum
Bay-breasted Warbler Dendroica castanea
Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata
Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea
Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum
Swainson's WarblerLimnothlypis swainsoniiReview species
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis
Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla
Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus
Connecticut WarblerOporornis agilis
Mourning Warbler Oporornis philadelphia
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens
 
TanagersThraupidae[return to top]
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana Review species
 
SparrowsEmberizidae[return to top]
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus Review species
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus Review species
Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Cassin's Sparrow Aimophila cassinii Review species
Bachman's Sparrow Aimophila aestivalis Review species
American Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
Lark Bunting Calamospiza melanocorys Review species
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum
Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii
Le Conte's Sparrow Ammodramus leconteii
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Ammodramus nelsoni
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana
White-throated SparrowZonotrichia albicollis
Harris's Sparrow Zonotrichia querula
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
Dark-eyed JuncoJunco hyemalis
McCown's Longspur Calcarius mccownii Review species
Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus
Smith's LongspurCalcarius pictus
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
 
Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Buntings, etc.Cardinalidae[return to top]
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus Review species
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
Painted Bunting Passerina ciris Review species
Dickcissel Spiza americana
 
Blackbirds and OriolesIcteridae[return to top]
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta
Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus
Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus
Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Review species
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius
Bullock's OrioleIcterus bullockii Review species
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
 
FinchesFringillidae[return to top]
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Review species
Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator Review species
Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus (I)
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera
Common RedpollCarduelis flammea
Hoary RedpollCarduelis hornemanniReview species
Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis
Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus
 
Old World SparrowsPasseridae[return to top]
House Sparrow Passer domesticus (I)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanusReview species, (I)
 
 
ORIGIN HYPOTHETICAL  [return to top]
Species designated as "Origin Hypothetical" pertain to records where the bird has been correctly identified but the species has not demonstrated prior vagrancy.  Therefore the issue of origin is unresolved.  Such species are not included in the Official Checklist total and are not considered as either accepted or not accepted by the Indiana Bird Records Committee.
    
Audubon's OrioleIcterus graduacauda Review Species


 

Indiana Bird Records Committee
Indiana Audubon Society
Last updated: 10 December 2008
Please send comments to: Don Gorney