The black-crowned night heron is a short, stocky, mostly nocturnal wetland bird. Once common in Illinois, it’s now endangered in the state due to habitat loss. These herons hunt at night, except during breeding season where they hunt during the say. They breed in colonies and care for their young together. Though rare locally, they live on every continent except Antarctica and Australia. A large colony now lives at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, helping scientists learn how to p

Eastern chipmunks are small ground squirrels found in eastern North America’s forests. Active during the day, they don’t fully hibernate but rest in burrows and emerge to forage on milder winter days. They use their cheek pouches to carry food and store it in underground caches. Chipmunks eat fruits, seeds, insects and more. They communicate with high-pitched calls and prefer to stay near their burrows to avoid predators.

Spotted turtles are tiny, hand-sized turtles with yellow spots on their top shell. They live in the eastern U.S.’s wetlands, including parts of Illinois. They eat insects, frogs and plants, and often bring their food into water to eat. These turtles like to bask on logs but hide from extreme heat. Spotted turtles are endangered in Illinois, so if you see one in spring, you’re lucky – just be careful as they may cross roads, especially during mating season.

Harpy eagles, relatives of bald eagles, are large birds found in the rainforests of South America. Known for their sharp talons and powerful wings, they are apex predators that hunt animals like monkeys and sloths. They mate for life and raise one chick every few years. Harpy eagles are Panama’s national bird, the symbol of biodiversity in Ecuador and the Colombian Air force’s emblem. Now vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting, conservation efforts aim to protect them.

Beavers shape their environment by building dams and lodges, creating wetlands that support diverse wildlife, filter water, and reduce fire risk. Their construction slows water flow, enriches soil, and provides food and shelter for many species. Beavers’ work benefits ecosystems and even humans.

American badgers live in northern Illinois and are known for their bold facial stripes and expert digging skills. They are mostly nocturnal, solitary, and live in underground burrows. They hunt small mammals and sometimes team up with coyotes to catch prey. Though not true hibernators, they enter torpor in winter, staying underground on cold days. Their strong sense of smell and digging abilities make them skilled hunters and survivors in the wild.

Barn owls have heart-shaped faces and ghostly white feathers and are skilled nocturnal hunters found in fields and barns. Known for their eerie screech, they rely on incredible hearing to locate prey. Unlike most owls, they nest in buildings and often stay year-round. As natural habitats shrink, people can help by building nest boxes if they live near open land and give the owls space and privacy.

Trumpeter swans are the largest waterfowl in the world, weighing up to 35 pounds with a wingspan over 6 feet. Named for their trumpet-like calls, they use sound and foot slaps to communicate. They need long “runways” to take flight and incubate eggs using their feet. Once nearly extinct, they’ve made a strong comeback thanks to conservation. Though no longer endangered, they face risks like habitat loss and collisions with power lines.