Oak Park

Ecosystem Overview

The Oak Park ecosystem supports 35 documented wildlife species across 34 taxonomic genera. Located in Cook County, Illinois, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 8 frequently observed species and 6 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Evanston nearby has 65% more documented species, Oak Park offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #24 for species diversity among 97 Cook County County natural areas, placing it in the 75th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#24

Regional Rank

Out of 97 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common10 species

Occasional11 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#24 of 97 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Evanston

-65% 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 35 total documented species.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Very Common4 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Very Common2 obs.

Oncopeltus fasciatus

Large Milkweed Bug

Very Common2 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Very Common2 obs.

Anisodactylus verticalis

Very Common1 obs.

Photinus pyralis

Big Dipper Firefly

Common1 obs.

Sphecius speciosus

Eastern Cicada-Killer Wasp

Common1 obs.

Bombus bimaculatus

Two-Spotted Bumble Bee

Common1 obs.

Delphinia picta

Common Picture-Winged Fly

Common1 obs.

Taeniaptera trivittata

Common1 obs.

Acronicta americana

American Dagger

Common1 obs.

Papilio troilus

Spicebush

Occasional1 obs.

Didelphis virginiana

Virginia-Opossum

Occasional1 obs.

Catharus ustulatus

Swainson's Thrush

Occasional1 obs.

Marchantia polymorpha

Common Liverwort

Occasional1 obs.

Galanthus elwesii

Giant Snowdrop

Occasional1 obs.

Lamium maculatum

Spotted Dead-nettle

Occasional1 obs.

Solanum dulcamara

bittersweet, woody nightshade

Rare1 obs.

Rubus odoratus

Purpleflowered Raspberry

Rare1 obs.

Aquilegia canadensis

Colorado Columbine

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-39%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cook County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-65% vs. current

Cook County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-65% vs. current

Skokie

Importance: 0.51

92 species

-62% vs. current

Cicero

Importance: 0.50

1 species

+3400% vs. current

Des Plaines

Importance: 0.50

57 species

-39% vs. current

Park Ridge

Importance: 0.50

7 species

+400% vs. current

Glenview

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-65% vs. current

Streamwood

Importance: 0.49

1 species

+3400% 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 Cook County County.

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

Species Count

-39%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cook County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-65% vs. current

Cook County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-65% vs. current

Skokie

Importance: 0.51

92 species

-62% vs. current

Cicero

Importance: 0.50

1 species

+3400% vs. current

Des Plaines

Importance: 0.50

57 species

-39% vs. current

Park Ridge

Importance: 0.50

7 species

+400% vs. current

Glenview

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-65% vs. current

Streamwood

Importance: 0.49

1 species

+3400% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#24

Regional Rank

Out of 97 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common10 species

Occasional11 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#24 of 97 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Evanston

-65% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 35 total documented species.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Very Common4 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Very Common2 obs.

Oncopeltus fasciatus

Large Milkweed Bug

Very Common2 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Very Common2 obs.

Anisodactylus verticalis

Very Common1 obs.

Photinus pyralis

Big Dipper Firefly

Common1 obs.

Sphecius speciosus

Eastern Cicada-Killer Wasp

Common1 obs.

Bombus bimaculatus

Two-Spotted Bumble Bee

Common1 obs.

Delphinia picta

Common Picture-Winged Fly

Common1 obs.

Taeniaptera trivittata

Common1 obs.

Acronicta americana

American Dagger

Common1 obs.

Papilio troilus

Spicebush

Occasional1 obs.

Didelphis virginiana

Virginia-Opossum

Occasional1 obs.

Catharus ustulatus

Swainson's Thrush

Occasional1 obs.

Marchantia polymorpha

Common Liverwort

Occasional1 obs.

Galanthus elwesii

Giant Snowdrop

Occasional1 obs.

Lamium maculatum

Spotted Dead-nettle

Occasional1 obs.

Solanum dulcamara

bittersweet, woody nightshade

Rare1 obs.

Rubus odoratus

Purpleflowered Raspberry

Rare1 obs.

Aquilegia canadensis

Colorado Columbine

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 35 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.