Westchester

Ecosystem Overview

The Westchester ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 86 taxonomic genera. Located in Cook County, Illinois, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. 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 #9 for species diversity among 97 Cook County County natural areas, placing it in the 91th 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

Regional Rank

Out of 97 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#9 of 97 locations

91th percentile for diversity

vs. Evanston

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.

Asclepias purpurascens

purple milkweed

Very Common5 obs.

Achillea millefolium

yarrow, milfoil

Very Common4 obs.

Eryngium yuccifolium

Rattlesnake-Master

Very Common4 obs.

Phlox pilosa

prairie phlox

Very Common4 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Very Common3 obs.

Tradescantia ohiensis

Blue-Jacket

Common3 obs.

Bromus kalmii

Prairie Brome

Common3 obs.

Parthenium integrifolium

Missouri snakeroot

Common3 obs.

Anemone virginiana

Thimbleweed

Common3 obs.

Coreopsis tripteris

tall tickseed

Common3 obs.

Lespedeza capitata

Round-Head Lespedeza

Common3 obs.

Pedicularis canadensis

Wood Betony

Occasional3 obs.

Monarda fistulosa

Wild Bergamot

Occasional3 obs.

Camassia scilloides

Atlantic camas

Occasional3 obs.

Allium canadense

Wild Garlic

Occasional2 obs.

Maianthemum stellatum

Starry False Lily Of The Valley

Occasional2 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Occasional2 obs.

Ameiurus melas

black bullhead

Rare2 obs.

Dissosteira carolina

Carolina Grasshopper

Rare2 obs.

Cycloneda munda

Polished Lady Beetle

Rare2 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 Westchester. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+61%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cook County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

0% vs. current

Cook County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Oak Park

Importance: 0.51

35 species

+186% vs. current

Skokie

Importance: 0.51

92 species

+9% vs. current

Cicero

Importance: 0.50

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Des Plaines

Importance: 0.50

57 species

+75% vs. current

Park Ridge

Importance: 0.50

7 species

+1329% vs. current

Glenview

Importance: 0.49

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 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

100

Species Count

+61%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cook County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

0% vs. current

Cook County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Oak Park

Importance: 0.51

35 species

+186% vs. current

Skokie

Importance: 0.51

92 species

+9% vs. current

Cicero

Importance: 0.50

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Des Plaines

Importance: 0.50

57 species

+75% vs. current

Park Ridge

Importance: 0.50

7 species

+1329% vs. current

Glenview

Importance: 0.49

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

Regional Rank

Out of 97 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#9 of 97 locations

91th percentile for diversity

vs. Evanston

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Asclepias purpurascens

purple milkweed

Very Common5 obs.

Achillea millefolium

yarrow, milfoil

Very Common4 obs.

Eryngium yuccifolium

Rattlesnake-Master

Very Common4 obs.

Phlox pilosa

prairie phlox

Very Common4 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Very Common3 obs.

Tradescantia ohiensis

Blue-Jacket

Common3 obs.

Bromus kalmii

Prairie Brome

Common3 obs.

Parthenium integrifolium

Missouri snakeroot

Common3 obs.

Anemone virginiana

Thimbleweed

Common3 obs.

Coreopsis tripteris

tall tickseed

Common3 obs.

Lespedeza capitata

Round-Head Lespedeza

Common3 obs.

Pedicularis canadensis

Wood Betony

Occasional3 obs.

Monarda fistulosa

Wild Bergamot

Occasional3 obs.

Camassia scilloides

Atlantic camas

Occasional3 obs.

Allium canadense

Wild Garlic

Occasional2 obs.

Maianthemum stellatum

Starry False Lily Of The Valley

Occasional2 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Occasional2 obs.

Ameiurus melas

black bullhead

Rare2 obs.

Dissosteira carolina

Carolina Grasshopper

Rare2 obs.

Cycloneda munda

Polished Lady Beetle

Rare2 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.