When I was growing up on the southside of Chicago my aunt who I stayed with on the weekends had a high back porch which was amazing for bird watching. I loved to look for Cardinals which to this day is my favorite bird. It just so happens it is the state bird in Illinois but not the most seen. Seeing bluebirds was pretty cool as well.

Watercolor painting of cardinal bird sitting on a branch
Surovtseva
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Seems Illinois and Michigan have this in common: the American Robin is one of the most commonly seen birds in both states.

Facts About Robins

According to wikipedia.com, the American Robin is a migratory songbird and there are plenty of them in Michigan and Illinois. It's named after the European Robin because of its reddish-orange breast. There are two types that are NOT closely related. Wiki says the European Robin belongs to the Old World flycatcher family. The American Robin is very common in North America, spending winters from southern Canada to central Mexico, and hangs out around the Pacific Coast. By the way, it the state bird for Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Most Common Birds In Michigan

If you like to sit around the backyard, here are the 10 most common birds to look for here in Michigan fromwhatbirdsareinmybackyard.com.

  1. Black-capped Chickadee 
  2. Blue Jay
  3. American Robin 
  4. Northern Cardinal 
  5. American Goldfinch 
  6. Mourning Dove 
  7. American Crow 
  8. Downy Woodpecker 
  9. White-breasted Nuthatch 
  10. Song Sparrow 
  11. Red-bellied Woodpecker 
  12. European Starling 
  13. Tufted Titmouse 
  14. House Sparrow 
  15. Common Grackle 

I will say one thing I love to hear the birds chirping to start my day now that the warm weather is here. If there was reincarnation, I would not mind coming back as a bird. Talk about the freedom to see the world and spread your wings. Happy bird-watching kids.

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