Chicago

Ecosystem Overview

The Chicago ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 86 taxonomic genera. Located in Illinois, this area provides critical habitat for regional wildlife. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. This location ranks #82 for species diversity among 594 Illinois natural areas, placing it in the 86th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#82

Regional Rank

Out of 594 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#82 of 594 locations

86th percentile for diversity

vs. Illinois

0% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common175 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Very Common169 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Very Common151 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Very Common148 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Very Common148 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Common124 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common119 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common115 obs.

Bombus griseocollis

Brown-belted Bumblebee

Common97 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Common93 obs.

Trifolium repens

Dutch clover

Common92 obs.

Ailanthus altissima

Tree of heaven

Occasional77 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Occasional73 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Occasional73 obs.

Dryobates pubescens

Downy Woodpecker

Occasional70 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Occasional70 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Occasional68 obs.

Taraxacum officinale

common dandelion

Rare68 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare66 obs.

Sturnus vulgaris

starling

Rare63 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Chicago. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+6%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Illinois

Importance: 0.78

100 species

0% vs. current

Springfield

Importance: 0.54

100 species

0% vs. current

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

0% vs. current

Peoria

Importance: 0.54

48 species

+108% vs. current

Champaign

Importance: 0.54

100 species

0% vs. current

Naperville

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Rockford

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Cook County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Illinois.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+6%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Illinois

Importance: 0.78

100 species

0% vs. current

Springfield

Importance: 0.54

100 species

0% vs. current

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

0% vs. current

Peoria

Importance: 0.54

48 species

+108% vs. current

Champaign

Importance: 0.54

100 species

0% vs. current

Naperville

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Rockford

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Cook County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#82

Regional Rank

Out of 594 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#82 of 594 locations

86th percentile for diversity

vs. Illinois

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common175 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Very Common169 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Very Common151 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Very Common148 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Very Common148 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Common124 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common119 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common115 obs.

Bombus griseocollis

Brown-belted Bumblebee

Common97 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Common93 obs.

Trifolium repens

Dutch clover

Common92 obs.

Ailanthus altissima

Tree of heaven

Occasional77 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Occasional73 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Occasional73 obs.

Dryobates pubescens

Downy Woodpecker

Occasional70 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Occasional70 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Occasional68 obs.

Taraxacum officinale

common dandelion

Rare68 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare66 obs.

Sturnus vulgaris

starling

Rare63 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.