The American coot is far from one of the most well-known waterfowl out there, but winter is when its presence really becomes known. An American coot. (Photo via Shutterstock) American coots are dark, duck-like birds that are about 15 inches long. Read the five facts below to get more familiar with this adorable waterfowl.    Not a duck Although American coots look like ducks, they are part of a group a marsh birds called rails. The rail family is diverse and consists of many

Coyotes are an important part of the ecosystem, and their presence across Illinois is beneficial. Their main ecosystem role is keeping the population of small mammals like rodents and rabbits in check.

The white-naped crane lives far from the United States, but it might remind you of our local crane species.

Coyotes and other canids like to roam, and African painted dogs can cover huge amounts of territory in their range.

If you’ve ever heard someone calling out in the woods, “Who cooks for you?” there’s probably a barred owl nearby. These distinctive-looking owls are best known for their hard-to-miss call, which sounds like they are calling out: "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?"

Boa constrictors are among the most well-known snakes in the world thanks to how they are portrayed in popular culture. If the movies were to be believed, boa constrictors are a major threat to people. The reality is a little different. Boa constrictors are large snakes, and they do kill their prey by wrapping their bodies around their catch and constricting it. That’s why they are called boa constrictors.

What's faster and smaller than a butterfly but still somehow a butterfly? A skipper! Like moths and butterflies, skippers belong to the insect order Lepidoptera. At one time, skippers were thought to be their own distinct group within the order, but scientists now classify them as a type of butterfly.

Great horned owls can live in many places, including in your very own neighborhood. These large owls are at home in forests, wetlands, grasslands and even cities.