Des Plaines

Ecosystem Overview

The Des Plaines ecosystem supports 57 documented wildlife species across 56 taxonomic genera. Located in Cook County, Illinois, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 12 frequently observed species and 11 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Evanston nearby has 43% more documented species, Des Plaines offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #18 for species diversity among 97 Cook County County natural areas, placing it in the 81th 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

#18

Regional Rank

Out of 97 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common12 species

Common17 species

Occasional17 species

Rare11 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#18 of 97 locations

81th percentile for diversity

vs. Evanston

-43% 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 57 total documented species.

Magicicada cassini

Cassini Periodical Cicada

Very Common2 obs.

Papilio polyxenes

American Swallowtail

Very Common1 obs.

Dipsacus laciniatus

Laciniate Teasel

Very Common1 obs.

Pisaurina mira

American Nursery Web Spider

Very Common1 obs.

Dorosoma cepedianum

Eastern Gizzard Shad

Very Common1 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Common1 obs.

Tamias striatus

eastern chipmunk

Common1 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common1 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Common1 obs.

Myiarchus crinitus

Great-Crested Flycatcher

Common1 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Common1 obs.

Hylocichla mustelina

Wood Thrush

Occasional1 obs.

Melanitta americana

black scoter

Occasional1 obs.

Dactylis glomerata

Orchardgrass

Occasional1 obs.

Boisea trivittata

Occasional1 obs.

Impatiens capensis

orange balsam

Occasional1 obs.

Verbena urticifolia

White Vervain

Occasional1 obs.

Lamium purpureum

Purple deadnettle

Rare1 obs.

Teucrium canadense

Wood Sage

Rare1 obs.

Pieris rapae

small white

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 Des Plaines. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+4%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cook County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-43% vs. current

Cook County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-43% vs. current

Oak Park

Importance: 0.51

35 species

+63% vs. current

Skokie

Importance: 0.51

92 species

-38% vs. current

Cicero

Importance: 0.50

1 species

+5600% vs. current

Park Ridge

Importance: 0.50

7 species

+714% vs. current

Glenview

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-43% vs. current

Streamwood

Importance: 0.49

1 species

+5600% 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

+4%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cook County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-43% vs. current

Cook County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-43% vs. current

Oak Park

Importance: 0.51

35 species

+63% vs. current

Skokie

Importance: 0.51

92 species

-38% vs. current

Cicero

Importance: 0.50

1 species

+5600% vs. current

Park Ridge

Importance: 0.50

7 species

+714% vs. current

Glenview

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-43% vs. current

Streamwood

Importance: 0.49

1 species

+5600% 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

#18

Regional Rank

Out of 97 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common12 species

Common17 species

Occasional17 species

Rare11 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#18 of 97 locations

81th percentile for diversity

vs. Evanston

-43% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 57 total documented species.

Magicicada cassini

Cassini Periodical Cicada

Very Common2 obs.

Papilio polyxenes

American Swallowtail

Very Common1 obs.

Dipsacus laciniatus

Laciniate Teasel

Very Common1 obs.

Pisaurina mira

American Nursery Web Spider

Very Common1 obs.

Dorosoma cepedianum

Eastern Gizzard Shad

Very Common1 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Common1 obs.

Tamias striatus

eastern chipmunk

Common1 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common1 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Common1 obs.

Myiarchus crinitus

Great-Crested Flycatcher

Common1 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Common1 obs.

Hylocichla mustelina

Wood Thrush

Occasional1 obs.

Melanitta americana

black scoter

Occasional1 obs.

Dactylis glomerata

Orchardgrass

Occasional1 obs.

Boisea trivittata

Occasional1 obs.

Impatiens capensis

orange balsam

Occasional1 obs.

Verbena urticifolia

White Vervain

Occasional1 obs.

Lamium purpureum

Purple deadnettle

Rare1 obs.

Teucrium canadense

Wood Sage

Rare1 obs.

Pieris rapae

small white

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 57 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.