Woodpeckers are one of those types of birds we can count on seeing all year long in northern Illinois. Even in the dead of winter, we can...

Did you know Illinois has a state amphibian? It’s the tiger salamander. Have you ever seen one? Most people answer no when asked this...

A rise in practical jokes and tricks happens in homes, schools and workplaces thanks to April Fool’s Day. Do animals have any tricks up...

Red-winged blackbirds are one of our most familiar and recognizable birds. We recognize them both because of their appearance and because...

Have you seen a red-tailed hawk? Probably! They are all around, especially in colder months. You just have to know how to spot them....

If you think about the animals that live just below our feet, what comes to mind? Probably ants and other insect species. Or maybe...

Many fascinating birds flock to our feeders and fly across the sky, so it’s easy to overlook a few. Below are five facts about one of the...

Did you know opossums are tropical animals? How the heck did these heat-loving marsupials end up hanging out in Illinois during our...

Thinking about the most common animals we see in Illinois might bring several creatures to mind. If you narrow it down to mammals, a few...

There are more than 130 different types of ducks worldwide! About 30 are native to the United States. Some common Illinois ducks include...

What if you heard there was a creature that could freeze solid like a Popsicle, stay frozen for months and then defrost and go on its way...

Two worlds collide in winter. In summer, the sky stays bright until bedtime or even later. As humans head to sleep, nocturnal animals...

American crows aren't viewed favorably by many people. Maybe it's because they have long been viewed as an omen of death, or because they...

Other than the spiders diligently eating tiny bugs in our homes all winter long, we usually associate bugs with warmer weather and give...

Our waters are home to many duck species, but none as ornate as the wood duck, which looks like a duck dressed up for a special occasion....

Gar belong to a group of prehistoric fish, with many fossilized species dating back to the Jurassic Period. That is when dinosaurs roamed...

Birds make a lot of noise in the woods, especially songbirds like cardinals, blue jays and robins. But one species of bird is a great...

American kestrels are stunning, speedy, colorful, dive-bombing predators in tiny packages. Scan utility pole wires along fields and you...

Close your eyes and picture a bat. What color did you imagine? How big or small? Did you picture a furry, black body with black wings? If...

Most of the insects we are familiar with are tiny little things, but praying mantises are among the giants of the insect world. The...