Illinois harbors more than 450 bird species, yet few features capture attention quite like an elegantly extended tail trailing through prairie skies.
Whether you’re scanning your backyard feeders or exploring state parks, you’ll discover that birds with long tails in Illinois represent some of the most striking and distinctive species in the region.
From the scissor-like appendages of flycatchers to the streaming plumes of ducks on Lake Michigan, these remarkable birds showcase nature’s artistry in motion.
You’ll find species that use their tails as communication tools, aerial rudders, and even as stunning courtship displays that transform ordinary meadows into natural theaters.
This comprehensive guide reveals 16 magnificent long-tailed birds that call Illinois home, helping you identify each species through detailed descriptions, habitat preferences, and behavioral clues that make spotting them an absolute joy.
Understanding Long-Tailed Birds in Illinois
Long tails serve multiple purposes in the avian world, and Illinois birds demonstrate this diversity beautifully.
Some species use extended tail feathers for enhanced maneuverability during flight, while others rely on them for balance when perching or foraging.
Key identification features you’ll notice:
- Proportional length – How the tail compares to the bird’s body size
- Shape variations – Forked, pointed, rounded, or notched tail tips
- Movement patterns – How birds hold and use their tails while flying or perched
- Seasonal changes – Some species develop longer tails during breeding season
The Prairie State’s diverse habitats support these elegant species year-round, with wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands each attracting different long-tailed varieties.
Birds With Long Tails in Illinois
1. Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
Common Grackles are blackbirds that look like they’ve been slightly stretched.
They’re taller and longer tailed than a typical blackbird, with a longer, more tapered bill and glossy-iridescent bodies.
These intelligent birds measure 11-13 inches with tails comprising nearly half their total length.
Where to find them: Urban parks, suburban lawns, agricultural fields, and parking lots throughout Illinois
Identification tips:
- Males display purple-blue iridescence on head and breast
- Distinctive V-shaped tail fold during flight
- Yellow eyes that seem to study everything around them
- Walk rather than hop, showing confident ground behavior
2. Brown Thrasher
The brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) has rust-red feathers on the back and wings and cream-colored feathers with rust-red stripes on the ventral (belly) side.
Two, white wing bars are present. The eyes are yellow, and the bill is curved. This bird has a long tail.
The Brown Thrasher ranks among Illinois’s most accomplished songsters, capable of producing over 1,000 different song variations.
Their tails frequently cock upward in wren-like fashion while they forage through leaf litter.
Habitat preferences:
- Dense thickets and hedge rows
- Forest edges with heavy undergrowth
- Suburban areas with mature landscaping
- Brushy areas near water sources
Behavioral notes:
- Often remains hidden despite bold patterning
- Uses bill to flip leaves while searching for insects
- Builds nests close to ground in thorny vegetation
3. Northern Mockingbird
These medium-sized birds sport sleek gray plumage with brilliant white wing patches that flash dramatically during flight.
Their long tails feature distinctive white outer feathers that create striking patterns against dark centers.
Notable characteristics:
- Exceptional vocal abilities, mimicking other bird songs and mechanical sounds
- Aggressive territorial behavior, especially during breeding season
- Tail-pumping displays used for communication and territorial signaling
- Active at night, often singing under street lights
Prime locations: Open areas with scattered trees, suburban neighborhoods, parks with mixed vegetation
4. Gray Catbird
Sleek and understated, Gray Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis) possess proportionally long tails that they often hold cocked at jaunty angles.
Their uniform slate-gray plumage contrasts beautifully with rusty undertail coverts.
Distinctive features:
- Cat-like mewing calls that give them their name
- Secretive nature despite being relatively common
- Skilled mimics, though less showy than mockingbirds
- Fond of berry-producing shrubs and dense vegetation
5. Mourning Dove
The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) averages about 12 inches in length. It has gray-brown body feathers with some dark spots at the base of the wings.
The pointed tail feathers have white edging. Their streamlined profiles and pointed tails make them among Illinois’s most recognizable long-tailed birds.
Flight characteristics:
- Whistling wing sounds during takeoff
- Fast, direct flight with rapid wingbeats
- Pointed tails trailing behind during flight maneuvers
Feeding behavior: Ground foragers that prefer open areas with scattered seeds, frequently visiting bird feeders for millet and cracked corn.
6. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Perhaps the most spectacular long-tailed bird occasionally spotted in Illinois, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers (Tyrannus forficatus) showcase salmon-pink sides and incredibly long, forked tails that can exceed their body length.
When to look: Late spring through early fall, primarily in southern Illinois
Preferred habitats:
- Open country with scattered perches
- Agricultural areas with fence posts and power lines
- Prairie edges with occasional trees
- Rural roadsides with utility infrastructure
Behavioral displays: Males perform elaborate courtship flights, scissoring their remarkable tails while climbing and diving through the air.
7. Fork-tailed Flycatcher
This rare vagrant occasionally appears in Illinois during migration, creating excitement among birders.
Their deeply forked black tails can measure up to 10 inches long.
Identification challenges:
- Extremely rare in Illinois – considered accidental
- Similar to Scissor-tailed Flycatcher but lacks salmon coloring
- Black and white plumage with dramatic tail proportions
- Most sightings occur during fall migration
8. Great-tailed Grackle
Expanding their range northward, Great-tailed Grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus) increasingly appear in western and central Illinois.
Males display extraordinarily long, keel-shaped tails that create distinctive silhouettes.
Size comparison: Significantly larger than Common Grackles, with males reaching 18 inches including their impressive tails
Sexual dimorphism:
- Males: Glossy black with purple-blue iridescence and extremely long tails
- Females: Smaller, brown-colored with moderately long tails
- Striking size difference between sexes
9. Yellow-billed Cuckoo
These secretive birds possess long, graduated tails with distinctive white spots visible from below.
Their streamlined build and deliberate movements make them challenging but rewarding to observe.
Migration timing: Arrive in Illinois during late spring, depart by early fall
Habitat requirements:
- Dense woodland with thick canopy cover
- Riparian forests along rivers and streams
- Areas with abundant caterpillar populations
- Suburban areas with mature trees
Unique behaviors: Known for eating hairy caterpillars that other birds avoid, including tent caterpillars and gypsy moth larvae.
10. Black-billed Cuckoo
Similar to their yellow-billed cousins but sporting darker bills and red eye-rings, Black-billed Cuckoos (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) show the same elegant long-tailed proportions.
Distinguishing features:
- Smaller white tail spots compared to Yellow-billed
- Red orbital ring around dark eyes
- Slightly smaller overall size
- More secretive behavior patterns
11. Mississippi Kite
This graceful raptor stands about 14 inches tall, and when it flies its wingspan is 35 inches.
The adult has a dark gray back with a long, dark tail. Once more widespread, they now primarily inhabit southern Illinois during breeding season.
Flight characteristics:
- Exceptionally graceful, effortless soaring ability
- Long, pointed wings complement their sleek tails
- Often seen in loose flocks during migration
- Specializes in catching insects on the wing
Seasonal presence: April through September before returning to South American wintering grounds.
12. Barn Swallow
The deeply forked tails of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) make them instantly recognizable as they sweep across Illinois skies.
Their tail streamers enhance their aerial agility while pursuing flying insects.
Nesting habits:
- Build mud-cup nests under bridges, eaves, and overhangs
- Often return to same nesting sites annually
- Prefer areas near water sources for mud collection
- Colonial nesters when suitable sites available
Flight patterns: Low, swooping flights over fields, lakes, and suburban areas demonstrate their remarkable tail control
13. American Crow
While not extremely long relative to body size, crow tails appear prominently during flight and serve important functions in their complex social behaviors.
Social significance:
- Tail positions communicate mood and intention
- Fan-shaped during territorial displays
- Squared-off tail tips distinguish from ravens
- Important for balance during ground foraging
14. Blue Jay
Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) showcase beautiful graduated tails with white tips and black barring that create stunning patterns during flight displays.
Tail functions:
- Communication through position and movement
- Balance assistance while climbing and perching
- Enhanced maneuverability during aggressive encounters
- Display element during courtship behaviors
Year-round activity: Unlike many species, Blue Jays remain active throughout Illinois winters, making their tails visible against snowy backgrounds.
15. Long-tailed Duck
During winter months along Lake Michigan, Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) display some of the most dramatic tail proportions of any Illinois bird. Males develop spectacular streaming central tail feathers.
Seasonal appearance: November through March along Lake Michigan shoreline
Identification features:
- Males: Long, needle-like central tail feathers extending well beyond body
- Distinctive black and white plumage patterns
- Females: Shorter tails but still proportionally long
- Often seen in rafts offshore
Best viewing locations:
- Montrose Harbor, Chicago
- Illinois Beach State Park
- Waukegan Harbor
- Northwestern Illinois lakefront areas
Habitat Guide for Long-Tailed Birds
Understanding where different species prefer to spend their time dramatically improves your chances of successful observation.
| Habitat Type | Primary Species | Best Viewing Times |
|---|---|---|
| Urban/Suburban | Common Grackle, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay | Year-round, early morning |
| Prairie/Grassland | Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, American Crow | Spring through fall, dawn/dusk |
| Woodland Edges | Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, Cuckoos | Late spring through summer, morning |
| Wetland/Lake Michigan | Long-tailed Duck, various migrants | Winter/migration periods |
| Agricultural Areas | Great-tailed Grackle, hawks, Mississippi Kite | Breeding season, midday thermals |
Identification Tips and Tricks
Size comparison techniques:
- Use common birds like robins or cardinals as reference points
- Note tail length relative to total body size
- Compare wingspan to tail proportions during flight
Behavioral observation:
- Watch how birds hold their tails – cocked up, trailing behind, or fan-shaped
- Notice tail movement patterns during feeding or communication
- Observe flight styles that highlight tail characteristics
Seasonal considerations:
- Some species develop longer breeding plumage tails
- Migration timing affects species availability
- Weather conditions influence bird activity and visibility
Photography and Documentation
Camera settings for long-tailed birds:
- Fast shutter speeds capture tail details during flight
- Continuous autofocus helps track moving subjects
- Higher ISO settings accommodate low-light conditions during peak activity
Ethical wildlife photography:
- Maintain respectful distances to avoid disturbing nesting birds
- Use longer focal length lenses rather than approaching too closely
- Never play recorded calls during sensitive breeding periods
Contributing to citizen science: Submit your observations to eBird to help researchers track population trends and distribution patterns of Illinois’s long-tailed bird species.
Conservation and Habitat Support
Many long-tailed birds in Illinois face habitat challenges due to development and agricultural practices. You can support these magnificent species through several approaches.
Backyard habitat improvements:
- Plant native berry-producing shrubs for thrashers and catbirds
- Maintain diverse vegetation heights and densities
- Provide clean water sources year-round
- Avoid pesticide use to preserve insect populations
Landscape-level conservation:
- Support organizations protecting Illinois prairies and wetlands
- Participate in local habitat restoration projects
- Advocate for wildlife-friendly agricultural practices
- Join local Audubon chapters for conservation initiatives
Professional resources: The Illinois Ornithological Society maintains detailed records and supports research on the state’s bird populations, including many long-tailed species.
Best Times and Locations for Observation
Spring migration (April-May):
- Peak diversity as migrants arrive
- Active courtship behaviors showcase tail displays
- Dawn hours offer optimal activity levels
Summer breeding season (June-August):
- Resident species most vocal and visible
- Family groups provide multiple observation opportunities
- Extended daylight hours allow evening watching
Fall migration (September-October):
- Second wave of diversity as species move south
- Juvenile birds may show different tail characteristics
- Weather fronts concentrate bird activity
Winter specialties (November-March):
- Lake Michigan waterfowl displays
- Year-round residents more visible without leaf cover
- Snow backgrounds enhance observation contrast
Conclusion
The diverse array of birds with long tails in Illinois reflects the state’s rich ecological heritage and strategic location along major migration corridors.
From the suburban Common Grackles strutting across parking lots to the magnificent Scissor-tailed Flycatchers gracing southern prairies, each species brings its own story of adaptation and survival.
Whether you’re beginning your birding journey or adding to decades of experience, these 16 long-tailed species offer endless opportunities for observation, photography, and appreciation.
Their elegant proportions and fascinating behaviors remind us that extraordinary wildlife experiences await right outside our doors.
Take your binoculars, venture into Illinois’s diverse habitats, and prepare to be amazed by the graceful beauty of these remarkable long-tailed birds.
Every outing promises new discoveries and deeper connections with the natural world that surrounds us.
