In winter, darkness comes early, so humans and nocturnal animals like barred owls may be active at the same time. Barred owls don’t build nests—they reuse abandoned ones or tree cavities to raise owlets. With keen eyesight, sharp hearing, and silent flight, they hunt rodents, frogs, fish, and more. Barred owls can instantly crush prey with their grip that can be up to 5 times stronger than a human’s. Their call, “Who cooks for you?” marks their territory.

Crows are often misunderstood but are intelligent, social birds with important environmental roles. They disperse seeds, clean up dead carcasses, and even hold "funerals" to assess danger. Crows recognize human faces, hold grudges, and sometimes give gifts. They gather in huge flocks, especially in winter, and can use scraps as tools to get food. Some, like New Caledonian crows, are among the smartest animals, showing complex problem-solving skills.

Winter stoneflies are hardy insects that emerge as adults during the cold months, mating and laying eggs on icy waters. Found in clean, unpolluted streams, they’re a sign of healthy water. Though small and drab, they’re well-adapted to winter with antifreeze-like body fluids and clever behaviors. Their presence, or even the empty shells they leave behind, is a reason to celebrate nature’s resilience in winter!

Wood ducks are colorful, tree-loving ducks found in quiet, vegetated waterways. Males are brightly patterned, while females are more subtle. They nest in tree cavities, and their ducklings leap from nests soon after hatching. Wood ducks may have two broods per year and sometimes raise eggs laid by other females. Unlike mallards, they don’t quack—males whistle and females squeak. Males lose their bright colors after breeding, while females stay the same year-round.

Alligator gar are ancient fish with sharp teeth, tough scales, and poisonous eggs. They can grow up to 10 feet long and over 300 pounds, making them Illinois’ largest fish. These night-hunting predators can breathe both in water and air. Once extinct in Illinois, they are being reintroduced through conservation efforts. Sightings help scientists track their success, so report any you see.

The common loon, not a songbird or duck, is known for its haunting calls: wails to locate others, yodels to defend territory, tremolos to signal presence or fear, and soft hoots used between family. Loons prefer large, clear lakes and are expert divers with dense bones to catch fish quietly. Though rare in Will County, their eerie calls are common in northern woods and often heard in movies set in forests.

American white pelicans migrate through Will County each spring and fall, stopping to rest and feed. These large birds have 9-foot wingspans and use thermals to soar. Their long beaks grow a seasonal bump during mating, and their throat pouch helps them scoop fish and stay cool. Pelicans often hunt cooperatively by corralling fish. Many stop at the confluence near Four Rivers, where up to 900 have been seen during fall migration.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass differ in more than just mouth size. Largemouth have bigger bodies and jaws that extend past their eyes; smallmouth jaws stop at the eye’s center. Largemouth are greenish with horizontal stripes and a split-like dorsal fin. Smallmouth are brownish with vertical stripes and a connected dorsal fin. Largemouth prefer warm, murky water and ambush prey, while smallmouth hunt in cooler, clear water. Both are fun to catch and found in many U.S. lakes