Wildlife is all around us. Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild song. From time to time, we’ll also do a deep dive into wildlife science, news, and natural history. Subscribe for email updates at go.illinois.edu/SubscribeVoiceofWild.
The Black-capped and Carolina chickadee’s range only barely intersects, so identification is typically as easy as finding out which side of the line you are on. Unfortunately, for those within a few tens of miles of the line, a confident ID may not be possible.
The quintessential winter sparrow and a reminder that, even after the leaves have fallen and the prairies turned gray and brown, there’s wildlife to hear in Illinois....
Fleeing the chill of the arctic winter, the junco arrives in the Midwest just as our winds get brisk and the leaves start turning. Look for their little pale bill and white-edged tail as they pick beneath birdfeeders and flit...
A big sparrow with unexpected biology and an easy song mnemonic. Look for the yellow spot just ahead of its eye, the namesake white throat, and white or tan stripes over the head. The white-throated sparrow...
A handsome winter visitor with a crisp cap and a sweet whistle. Look for them starting in October in undisturbed brushy habitats and neighborhoods with good, shrubby cover. While the white-crowned sparrow has...
The beloved Eastern Bluebird is a conservation success story that shows the huge impact of dedicated conservation and stewardship actions. The bird’s musical and somewhat variable churring can be heard in scrubby meadows and...