Chicago Ornithological Society
@chicagobirder.bsky.social
All things birds in the Second City!
Join us at Big Marsh Park on October 11 for this showcase of the winners and runners-up from the 2025 Chicago Bird Photography Contest. Enjoy a short program with snacks and a raffle at the opening reception!
October 4, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Join us at Big Marsh Park on October 11 for this showcase of the winners and runners-up from the 2025 Chicago Bird Photography Contest. Enjoy a short program with snacks and a raffle at the opening reception!
Now on the Chicago Birder Blog: Read the story behind the Urban Birding Festival. Registration for this year's festival closes Sunday. We hope you will join us! www.chicagobirder.org/blog/2025/9/...
Urbs in Horto, Aves in Urbs — Chicago Ornithological Society
Read about how the Urban Birding Festival was born.
www.chicagobirder.org
September 5, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Now on the Chicago Birder Blog: Read the story behind the Urban Birding Festival. Registration for this year's festival closes Sunday. We hope you will join us! www.chicagobirder.org/blog/2025/9/...
Reposted by Chicago Ornithological Society
I recently noticed an unexpected bird singing in the Lincoln Yards site near the Hideout — a dickcissel. Here's my story about it for @chicagomag.com: www.chicagomag.com/city-life/th...
The Birdbrain Case for Stopping Lincoln Yards Development
The discovery of grassland-loving dickcissels on the site of Sterling Bay's stalled megadevelopment suggests the value of preserving open land.
www.chicagomag.com
July 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I recently noticed an unexpected bird singing in the Lincoln Yards site near the Hideout — a dickcissel. Here's my story about it for @chicagomag.com: www.chicagomag.com/city-life/th...
You still have about two weeks to read "Turning to Birds" by Lily Taylor before joining us for Flock Club Book Club on 7/29 at the Jefferson Park library! We hope to see you all there. Please RSVP so we know how many treats to bring! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Flock Club Book Club: Turning to Birds — Chicago Ornithological Society
Join COS for Flock Club Book Club to discuss Lily Taylor’s Turning to Birds . In the spirit of our yearlong celebration of green birding, we’ll discuss this book’s mindfulness approach to birding.
www.chicagobirder.org
July 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
You still have about two weeks to read "Turning to Birds" by Lily Taylor before joining us for Flock Club Book Club on 7/29 at the Jefferson Park library! We hope to see you all there. Please RSVP so we know how many treats to bring! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Reposted by Chicago Ornithological Society
Piping Plovers move pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss them.
Blue Star will now be known as Ferris. 1/4
Blue Star will now be known as Ferris. 1/4
July 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Piping Plovers move pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss them.
Blue Star will now be known as Ferris. 1/4
Blue Star will now be known as Ferris. 1/4
Reposted by Chicago Ornithological Society
Hiya! I'm El.
The El (for Elevated) is Chicago's transit system. Just like our Piping Plover family at Montrose, the El connects the city of Chicago, its surrounding suburbs, and the community it serves. 1/2
The El (for Elevated) is Chicago's transit system. Just like our Piping Plover family at Montrose, the El connects the city of Chicago, its surrounding suburbs, and the community it serves. 1/2
July 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Hiya! I'm El.
The El (for Elevated) is Chicago's transit system. Just like our Piping Plover family at Montrose, the El connects the city of Chicago, its surrounding suburbs, and the community it serves. 1/2
The El (for Elevated) is Chicago's transit system. Just like our Piping Plover family at Montrose, the El connects the city of Chicago, its surrounding suburbs, and the community it serves. 1/2
Reposted by Chicago Ornithological Society
Hi! I'm Bean.
The Bean, a beautiful sculpture by Anish Kapoor in Millenium Park, is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Its reflective surface captures and transforms the surrounding city skyline. 1/2
The Bean, a beautiful sculpture by Anish Kapoor in Millenium Park, is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Its reflective surface captures and transforms the surrounding city skyline. 1/2
July 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Hi! I'm Bean.
The Bean, a beautiful sculpture by Anish Kapoor in Millenium Park, is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Its reflective surface captures and transforms the surrounding city skyline. 1/2
The Bean, a beautiful sculpture by Anish Kapoor in Millenium Park, is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Its reflective surface captures and transforms the surrounding city skyline. 1/2
Reposted by Chicago Ornithological Society
It's our Fledge Day and we have something more to reveal...our names!
At 23 days, your Chicago Piping Plover chicks are officially fledged. Throughout the day, we will roll out the chicks' forever names in dedicated posts. 1/3
📸: Tamima Itani (The chick soon fka Red Star)
At 23 days, your Chicago Piping Plover chicks are officially fledged. Throughout the day, we will roll out the chicks' forever names in dedicated posts. 1/3
📸: Tamima Itani (The chick soon fka Red Star)
July 13, 2025 at 2:18 PM
It's our Fledge Day and we have something more to reveal...our names!
At 23 days, your Chicago Piping Plover chicks are officially fledged. Throughout the day, we will roll out the chicks' forever names in dedicated posts. 1/3
📸: Tamima Itani (The chick soon fka Red Star)
At 23 days, your Chicago Piping Plover chicks are officially fledged. Throughout the day, we will roll out the chicks' forever names in dedicated posts. 1/3
📸: Tamima Itani (The chick soon fka Red Star)
Join us for a birding and stewardship day at the Dunning-Read Natural Area on 7/19. Give back to the birds and the natural environment, and be a part of the Chicago community. RSVP: www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
July 12, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Join us for a birding and stewardship day at the Dunning-Read Natural Area on 7/19. Give back to the birds and the natural environment, and be a part of the Chicago community. RSVP: www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Friday! Join us for an afternoon walk to look for grassland birds at Horizon Farms in Barrington, IL. Event is free, but you must RSVP! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Grassland Birds at Horizon Farms — Chicago Ornithological Society
RSVP Required Join COS in search of breeding grassland birds at Horizon Farm.
www.chicagobirder.org
July 5, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Friday! Join us for an afternoon walk to look for grassland birds at Horizon Farms in Barrington, IL. Event is free, but you must RSVP! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Reposted by Chicago Ornithological Society
Three!!! 🐥🐥🐥
Three updates from the Montrose Protected Beach - Saturday, July 5, 2025
🤍Your Chicago Piping Plover family - both parents and all three chicks - is doing well!
1/3
📸: Tamima Itani (Green Star)
Three updates from the Montrose Protected Beach - Saturday, July 5, 2025
🤍Your Chicago Piping Plover family - both parents and all three chicks - is doing well!
1/3
📸: Tamima Itani (Green Star)
July 5, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Three!!! 🐥🐥🐥
Three updates from the Montrose Protected Beach - Saturday, July 5, 2025
🤍Your Chicago Piping Plover family - both parents and all three chicks - is doing well!
1/3
📸: Tamima Itani (Green Star)
Three updates from the Montrose Protected Beach - Saturday, July 5, 2025
🤍Your Chicago Piping Plover family - both parents and all three chicks - is doing well!
1/3
📸: Tamima Itani (Green Star)
Reposted by Chicago Ornithological Society
Eight-legged Imani?!
During the first weeks after hatching, chicks are unable to maintain their own body temperature. The chicks spend much time tucked in under their parents' wings to stay warm. This is called "brooding."
📸: Ezra Quintero (Imani brooding his three chicks, Montrose, July 1, 2025)
During the first weeks after hatching, chicks are unable to maintain their own body temperature. The chicks spend much time tucked in under their parents' wings to stay warm. This is called "brooding."
📸: Ezra Quintero (Imani brooding his three chicks, Montrose, July 1, 2025)
July 2, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Eight-legged Imani?!
During the first weeks after hatching, chicks are unable to maintain their own body temperature. The chicks spend much time tucked in under their parents' wings to stay warm. This is called "brooding."
📸: Ezra Quintero (Imani brooding his three chicks, Montrose, July 1, 2025)
During the first weeks after hatching, chicks are unable to maintain their own body temperature. The chicks spend much time tucked in under their parents' wings to stay warm. This is called "brooding."
📸: Ezra Quintero (Imani brooding his three chicks, Montrose, July 1, 2025)
On June 1 COS took a trip to Marian Byrnes Natural Area for a special Birds & Botany trip. Observations included Virginia Rail, Red-headed Woodpecker, Water Plantain, and Blue Flag Iris. www.chicagobirder.org/blog/2025/6/...
Birds & Botany: Marian Byrnes Natural Area — Chicago Ornithological Society
COS member Kris Hansen recaps the bird walk at Marian Byrnes Natural Area on June 1, 2025.
www.chicagobirder.org
July 3, 2025 at 1:17 AM
On June 1 COS took a trip to Marian Byrnes Natural Area for a special Birds & Botany trip. Observations included Virginia Rail, Red-headed Woodpecker, Water Plantain, and Blue Flag Iris. www.chicagobirder.org/blog/2025/6/...
The Chicago Bird Photography Contest closes August 1! Get your best shots in before it's too late! www.chicagobirder.org/chicago-bird...
July 2, 2025 at 12:17 AM
The Chicago Bird Photography Contest closes August 1! Get your best shots in before it's too late! www.chicagobirder.org/chicago-bird...
Join COS for an afternoon bird walk at Horizon Farm. This 400-acre hotspot boasts a strong sprawl of meadows and wetlands. We will walk a roughly 1-mile loop around the site in search of breeding grassland birds. The event is free, but you must RSVP! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Grassland Birds at Horizon Farms — Chicago Ornithological Society
RSVP Required Join COS in search of breeding grassland birds at Horizon Farm.
www.chicagobirder.org
July 1, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Join COS for an afternoon bird walk at Horizon Farm. This 400-acre hotspot boasts a strong sprawl of meadows and wetlands. We will walk a roughly 1-mile loop around the site in search of breeding grassland birds. The event is free, but you must RSVP! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Join us for Flock Club Book Club on July 29! We'll discuss Turning to Birds by Lili Taylor, reflecting on mindfulness, appreciation of the natural world, and living in the present. A Year of Green Birding event! RSVP at the link!
www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
June 29, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Join us for Flock Club Book Club on July 29! We'll discuss Turning to Birds by Lili Taylor, reflecting on mindfulness, appreciation of the natural world, and living in the present. A Year of Green Birding event! RSVP at the link!
www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Reposted by Chicago Ornithological Society
☀️ Imani with 2 of his 3 chicks ☀️
📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (sunset June 27, 2025)
📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (sunset June 27, 2025)
June 28, 2025 at 8:06 PM
☀️ Imani with 2 of his 3 chicks ☀️
📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (sunset June 27, 2025)
📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (sunset June 27, 2025)
COS took a field trip to Douglass Park on May 29. 24 birders took an evening stroll where they observed actively feeding warblers and capped the night off with Common Nighthawks!
www.chicagobirder.org/blog/2025/6/...
www.chicagobirder.org/blog/2025/6/...
Field Trip Recap: Douglass Park — Chicago Ornithological Society
COS member Kris Hansen recaps the walk at Douglass Park in the evening of May 31.
www.chicagobirder.org
June 29, 2025 at 12:27 AM
COS took a field trip to Douglass Park on May 29. 24 birders took an evening stroll where they observed actively feeding warblers and capped the night off with Common Nighthawks!
www.chicagobirder.org/blog/2025/6/...
www.chicagobirder.org/blog/2025/6/...
Join COS for an afternoon outing at Humboldt Park. The park is an excellent example of protecting native habitats in urban environments. We will walk roughly 1 mile on paved paths. Loaner binoculars will be available. The event is free, but you must RSVP! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Bird Walk at Humboldt Park for Families and Beginners — Chicago Ornithological Society
RSVP Required Join us as we explore Humboldt Park on a bird walk tailored for new birders and families.
www.chicagobirder.org
June 27, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Join COS for an afternoon outing at Humboldt Park. The park is an excellent example of protecting native habitats in urban environments. We will walk roughly 1 mile on paved paths. Loaner binoculars will be available. The event is free, but you must RSVP! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Join us on a short bird walk Saturday morning at Garfield Park, followed by a stewardship day. We will be identifying trees for the Garfield Park Tree Guide and doing litter pickup. The event is free, but you must RSVP! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Borbs and Forbs: Garfield Park — Chicago Ornithological Society
RSVP Required Borbs and Forbs is a monthly event for nature enthusiasts and those inspired to give back to our communities. Each month we will visit a Chicago Park to admire local birds and other fa...
www.chicagobirder.org
June 26, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Join us on a short bird walk Saturday morning at Garfield Park, followed by a stewardship day. We will be identifying trees for the Garfield Park Tree Guide and doing litter pickup. The event is free, but you must RSVP! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Join COS for a family-friendly beginner walk at Douglass Park on Friday evening. We will walk around the park’s lagoons in search of Chicago’s wild wonders as the sun sets. Loaner binoculars are available. This event is free, but you must RSVP! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
Bird Walk at Douglass Park for Families and Beginners — Chicago Ornithological Society
RSVP Required Attention families and beginners: end the daylight hours with a COS bird walk at Douglass Park.
www.chicagobirder.org
June 25, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Join COS for a family-friendly beginner walk at Douglass Park on Friday evening. We will walk around the park’s lagoons in search of Chicago’s wild wonders as the sun sets. Loaner binoculars are available. This event is free, but you must RSVP! www.chicagobirder.org/events/2025/...
This Thursday! Join us in a social event with real humans! We need 3D community now more than ever! We hope you can make it to The River Kitchen and Bar for drinks, food, and bird talk with your fellow bird nerds.
June 23, 2025 at 11:13 PM
This Thursday! Join us in a social event with real humans! We need 3D community now more than ever! We hope you can make it to The River Kitchen and Bar for drinks, food, and bird talk with your fellow bird nerds.
Reposted by Chicago Ornithological Society
Perfect Rhythm
This video from hatch day shows the perfect rhythm between plover parents Sea Rocket and Imani as they brood and mind two hatched chicks and continue to incubate two eggs.
🎥: Chicago Piping Plovers (taken via digiscope, June 20, 2025)
This video from hatch day shows the perfect rhythm between plover parents Sea Rocket and Imani as they brood and mind two hatched chicks and continue to incubate two eggs.
🎥: Chicago Piping Plovers (taken via digiscope, June 20, 2025)
June 22, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Perfect Rhythm
This video from hatch day shows the perfect rhythm between plover parents Sea Rocket and Imani as they brood and mind two hatched chicks and continue to incubate two eggs.
🎥: Chicago Piping Plovers (taken via digiscope, June 20, 2025)
This video from hatch day shows the perfect rhythm between plover parents Sea Rocket and Imani as they brood and mind two hatched chicks and continue to incubate two eggs.
🎥: Chicago Piping Plovers (taken via digiscope, June 20, 2025)