Aurora

Ecosystem Overview

The Aurora ecosystem supports 94 documented wildlife species across 88 taxonomic genera. Located in Illinois, this area provides critical habitat for regional wildlife. The location hosts 19 frequently observed species and 18 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Chicago nearby has 6% more documented species, Aurora offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #88 for species diversity among 594 Illinois natural areas, placing it in the 85th 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

#88

Regional Rank

Out of 594 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common29 species

Occasional28 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#88 of 594 locations

85th percentile for diversity

vs. Chicago

-6% 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 94 total documented species.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Very Common5 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Very Common4 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Very Common4 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Very Common3 obs.

Spinus tristis

American goldfinch

Very Common3 obs.

Tamias striatus

eastern chipmunk

Common3 obs.

Frangula alnus

Frangula

Common3 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common3 obs.

Rhamnus cathartica

purging buckthorn

Common2 obs.

Dactylis glomerata

Orchardgrass

Common2 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common2 obs.

Morus alba

White mulberry

Occasional2 obs.

Quiscalus quiscula

Common Grackle

Occasional2 obs.

Euphorbia maculata

Milk purslane

Occasional2 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Occasional2 obs.

Abutilon theophrasti

china jute

Occasional2 obs.

Phytolacca americana

American pokeweed

Occasional2 obs.

Popillia japonica

Japanese Beetle

Rare2 obs.

Pantherophis vulpinus

Eastern Fox Snake

Rare2 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

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 Aurora. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Chicago

Importance: 0.78

100 species

-6% vs. current

Illinois

Importance: 0.78

100 species

-6% vs. current

Springfield

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-6% vs. current

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-6% vs. current

Peoria

Importance: 0.54

48 species

+96% vs. current

Champaign

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-6% vs. current

Naperville

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-6% vs. current

Rockford

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-6% 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

Species Count

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Chicago

Importance: 0.78

100 species

-6% vs. current

Illinois

Importance: 0.78

100 species

-6% vs. current

Springfield

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-6% vs. current

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-6% vs. current

Peoria

Importance: 0.54

48 species

+96% vs. current

Champaign

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-6% vs. current

Naperville

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-6% vs. current

Rockford

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-6% 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

#88

Regional Rank

Out of 594 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common29 species

Occasional28 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#88 of 594 locations

85th percentile for diversity

vs. Chicago

-6% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 94 total documented species.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Very Common5 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Very Common4 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Very Common4 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Very Common3 obs.

Spinus tristis

American goldfinch

Very Common3 obs.

Tamias striatus

eastern chipmunk

Common3 obs.

Frangula alnus

Frangula

Common3 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common3 obs.

Rhamnus cathartica

purging buckthorn

Common2 obs.

Dactylis glomerata

Orchardgrass

Common2 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common2 obs.

Morus alba

White mulberry

Occasional2 obs.

Quiscalus quiscula

Common Grackle

Occasional2 obs.

Euphorbia maculata

Milk purslane

Occasional2 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Occasional2 obs.

Abutilon theophrasti

china jute

Occasional2 obs.

Phytolacca americana

American pokeweed

Occasional2 obs.

Popillia japonica

Japanese Beetle

Rare2 obs.

Pantherophis vulpinus

Eastern Fox Snake

Rare2 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 94 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.