Skokie

Ecosystem Overview

The Skokie ecosystem supports 92 documented wildlife species across 85 taxonomic genera. Located in Cook County, Illinois, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 19 frequently observed species and 18 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Evanston nearby has 8% more documented species, Skokie offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #14 for species diversity among 97 Cook County County natural areas, placing it in the 86th 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

#14

Regional Rank

Out of 97 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional27 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#14 of 97 locations

86th percentile for diversity

vs. Evanston

-8% 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 92 total documented species.

Acer negundo

ash-leaved maple, box-elder

Very Common3 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common3 obs.

Mergus merganser

goosander

Very Common3 obs.

Thlaspi arvense

field pennycress

Very Common3 obs.

Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral

Very Common2 obs.

Philaenus spumarius

Cuckoo-Spit Insect

Common2 obs.

Papilio polyxenes

American Swallowtail

Common2 obs.

Lotus corniculatus

Garden bird's-foot-trefoil

Common2 obs.

Lythrum salicaria

purple loosestrife

Common2 obs.

Morus alba

White mulberry

Common2 obs.

Cirsium vulgare

spear thistle

Common2 obs.

Bombus bimaculatus

Two-Spotted Bumble Bee

Occasional1 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Occasional1 obs.

Tabanus atratus

Black Horse Fly

Occasional1 obs.

Antheraea polyphemus

Polyphemus Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Manduca sexta

Carolina Sphinx

Occasional1 obs.

Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Occasional1 obs.

Platystoma seminationis

Rare1 obs.

Toxomerus marginatus

Syrphid Fly

Rare1 obs.

Cotesia congregata

Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp

Rare1 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 Skokie. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+84%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cook County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-8% vs. current

Cook County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-8% vs. current

Oak Park

Importance: 0.51

35 species

+163% vs. current

Cicero

Importance: 0.50

1 species

+9100% vs. current

Des Plaines

Importance: 0.50

57 species

+61% vs. current

Park Ridge

Importance: 0.50

7 species

+1214% vs. current

Glenview

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-8% vs. current

Streamwood

Importance: 0.49

1 species

+9100% 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

+84%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cook County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-8% vs. current

Cook County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-8% vs. current

Oak Park

Importance: 0.51

35 species

+163% vs. current

Cicero

Importance: 0.50

1 species

+9100% vs. current

Des Plaines

Importance: 0.50

57 species

+61% vs. current

Park Ridge

Importance: 0.50

7 species

+1214% vs. current

Glenview

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-8% vs. current

Streamwood

Importance: 0.49

1 species

+9100% 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

#14

Regional Rank

Out of 97 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional27 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#14 of 97 locations

86th percentile for diversity

vs. Evanston

-8% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 92 total documented species.

Acer negundo

ash-leaved maple, box-elder

Very Common3 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common3 obs.

Mergus merganser

goosander

Very Common3 obs.

Thlaspi arvense

field pennycress

Very Common3 obs.

Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral

Very Common2 obs.

Philaenus spumarius

Cuckoo-Spit Insect

Common2 obs.

Papilio polyxenes

American Swallowtail

Common2 obs.

Lotus corniculatus

Garden bird's-foot-trefoil

Common2 obs.

Lythrum salicaria

purple loosestrife

Common2 obs.

Morus alba

White mulberry

Common2 obs.

Cirsium vulgare

spear thistle

Common2 obs.

Bombus bimaculatus

Two-Spotted Bumble Bee

Occasional1 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Occasional1 obs.

Tabanus atratus

Black Horse Fly

Occasional1 obs.

Antheraea polyphemus

Polyphemus Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Manduca sexta

Carolina Sphinx

Occasional1 obs.

Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Occasional1 obs.

Platystoma seminationis

Rare1 obs.

Toxomerus marginatus

Syrphid Fly

Rare1 obs.

Cotesia congregata

Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 92 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.