Chicago is located along the shores of Lake Michigan and experiences cold winters and warm summers. This geographical location means that Chicago sees a variety of migratory birds that pass through the area each year as they travel to and from their breeding and wintering grounds.
What types of birds migrate through Chicago?
There are many different species of birds that migrate through Chicago during the spring and fall migration seasons. Some of the most notable migratory bird species seen in Chicago include:
- Warblers – Warblers are small, colorful songbirds that breed in forests across North America. Chicago is located along the Mississippi Flyway migration route, so dozens of warbler species, like the Yellow-rumped Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Blackburnian Warbler can be seen migrating through the city’s parks and green spaces each spring and fall.
- Sparrows – Sparrow species like the Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, and Lincoln’s Sparrow migrate through Chicago in large numbers, foraging on seeds and grains in parks, yards, and natural areas as they travel to and from their northern breeding grounds.
- Hummingbirds – Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Rufous Hummingbirds pass through Chicagoland yards and gardens during migration, stopping to refuel on nectar from flowers.
- Swallows – Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, and other swallow species migrate through Chicago in spring and fall, feeding on insects in flight over fields, lakes, and rivers.
- Loons – Common Loons and other loon species fly over Chicago along the Lake Michigan shoreline during spring and fall migration on their way to and from breeding lakes and tundras farther north.
- Sandpipers – Sandpipers like Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpipers, and Spotted Sandpipers stop to feed along muddy shorelines and wetlands in Chicago during migration.
- Ducks – Many duck species migrate through Chicago, stopping to rest and feed on lakes and ponds. Some ducks seen during migration include Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teal, Buffleheads, and Northern Shovelers.
- Snow Geese – Large flocks of Snow Geese pass over Chicago in spring and fall, using their loud honking calls to stay in contact as they migrate to and from Arctic nesting areas.
- Raptors – Birds of prey like Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and American Kestrels soar over Chicago during migration as they travel between breeding and wintering territories.
Chicago’s location along the lakeshore of Lake Michigan makes it an ideal stopover location for many migratory species travelling across the Great Lakes region between Canada and the Midwestern and Southern United States.
When do birds migrate through Chicago?
The timing of spring and fall migration through Chicago can vary each year depending on weather conditions, but generally follows this pattern:
Spring Migration
- Early March: Some of the earliest spring migrants like Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and American Robins start arriving in Chicago and the surrounding region.
- Mid-March to Early April: The first waves of waterfowl, like ducks and geese, pass through Chicago as they migrate north to their breeding grounds. Sparrows, woodpeckers, and other songbirds also start moving through.
- Mid-April to Mid-May: Spring migration peaks, with the most diverse waves of neotropical migrants like warblers, vireos, thrushes, orioles, tanagers, and swallows passing through on their way north to breed.
- Late May: Later spring migrants like flycatchers, cuckoos, and hummingbirds continue passing through Chicago.
Fall Migration
- Mid-August: Shorebirds, terns, and early warblers start migrating through Chicago on their southbound journeys.
- Early September: Fall warbler migration peaks, with waves of warblers, vireos, tanagers, and orioles passing through the region.
- Mid-September to October: Sparrows, kinglets, woodpeckers, and other migrants continue moving south. Hawks and other raptors migrate through Chicago in larger numbers.
- November: Most spring and summer nesting birds have migrated south. Winter residents like juncos, snow buntings, and Lapland longspurs start arriving in the Chicago area.
- December: Duck, goose, and other waterfowl migration wraps up as wetlands further north freeze over.
While migration peaks in the spring and fall, it’s important to note that bird migration is a continual process in Chicago throughout the spring, summer, and fall months as different species pass through on their way to and from breeding and wintering grounds.
Where are the top spots to see migrating birds in Chicago?
Some of the best birding spots to catch spring and fall migration in Chicago include:
- Lakefront Parks – Chicago’s vast lakefront park system provides excellent migratory stopover habitat. Montrose Point, Jackson Park, and Lincoln Park are excellent spots to scan for migrating loons, waterfowl, and raptors moving along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
- Inland Parks – Inland parks and nature preserves like North Park Village Nature Center, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, and Columbus Park offer forests and thickets where migrating songbirds like warblers can be spotted.
- The Chicago Botanic Garden – A 385-acre living plant museum featuring gardens, woodlands, wetlands, and prairies, the Botanic Garden in Glencoe provides food and shelter for migrating birds.
- Northerly Island Park – A manmade peninsula along Chicago’s lakefront, Northerly Island has a large prairie landscape and natural areas where migrating sparrows, bobolinks, meadowlarks, and other grassland species stop over.
- McClaughry Springs Woodland – Located in suburban Oak Forest, this mix of forest and wetland habitats attracts migrating warblers, vireos, thrushes, cuckoos, and flycatchers.
- Illinois Beach State Park – A little farther north along the shores of Lake Michigan, this state park near Zion offers migrating shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds habitats like dune, prairie, marsh, and savanna.
In addition to these natural areas, any oasis of greenery in the city like a parkway median, backyard tree, or garden can serve as a migratory stopover spot for tired migrating birds to rest and refuel as they pass through the Chicago area.
What are some tips for spotting migrating birds in Chicago?
Here are some tips to improve your chances of spotting migratory birds as they pass through Chicago:
- Use apps like eBird to check recent sightings and know when and where birds are being seen in your area.
- Look up migratory hotspots ahead of time using resources like the Illinois Migration Forecast from Chicago Audubon.
- Time your visit for peak migration seasons – mid-April to early June for spring, and August through October for fall.
- Get out early in the morning, when birds are most active.
- Bring binoculars and/or a spotting scope to get better views of birds high up in the treetops.
- Look and listen for movement in the bushes and trees.
- Learn the common bird songs and calls so you can identify birds by ear.
- Stand still and scan methodically when watching thickets or treeline areas.
- Dress in muted colors to avoid startling birds.
- Have patience and spend time sitting quietly observing – birds are constantly on the move!
How does weather impact bird migration in Chicago?
Weather conditions play a major role in the timing, routes, and pace of migration each season. Some key weather factors that impact birds migrating through Chicago include:
- Wind – Birds time northbound spring migration for periods of southerly tailwinds. In fall, northerly winds help push them southward. Wind direction influences migration routes and how high/low birds fly.
- Temperature – Warmer temperatures fuel migration by providing thermal updrafts for soaring and insect food sources along the journey. Colder temperatures can stall migration or push birds farther south.
- Precipitation – Rain or snow can create challenging flying conditions. But periods of fair weather allow migratory birds to cover more distance.
- Storms – Storm systems like cold fronts often concentrate migrants right before and after passage. But storms also push migrating birds down, making them easier to observe.
- Duration of Daylight – Increasing day length triggers hormonal changes in spring, spurring northbound migration. Declining daylight in fall causes hormone shifts to prompt southbound migration.
Paying attention to weather patterns and forecasts can help predict when larger pulses of migrants might pass through the Chicago area.
How far do birds fly during migration?
Migratory birds that pass through Chicago undertake some remarkably long journeys each spring and fall. Some examples of estimated migration distances include:
Bird Species | Migration Route | Estimated Distance |
---|---|---|
Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Between Central America and the Eastern U.S. & Canada | Over 2,000 miles each way |
Barn Swallow | Between South America and the Upper Midwest & Canada | 5,000+ miles each way |
Blackpoll Warbler | Between the Amazon and Boreal Forests of Canada & Alaska | Up to 2,500 miles nonstop over open ocean |
Lesser Yellowlegs | Between inland Canada & the Coasts of South America | 5,000+ miles each way |
Broad-winged Hawk | Between South America and the Eastern U.S. & Canada | 4,000+ miles each way |
These extreme marathon flights demonstrate the strong internal programming and navigation abilities of migratory birds. Chicago serves as an important stopping point to rest and refuel during these lengthy seasonal journeys across continents.
What are some key threats to migrating birds in Chicago?
Migrating birds face many threats and challenges on their voyages, including on stopovers in the Chicago area:
- Loss of habitat – As natural areas are developed, there are fewer places for migrants to safely rest and find food and shelter in the Chicago area.
- Predators – Hawks, falcons, cats, opossums and other urban predators pose risks to migrating songbirds.
- Artificial night lighting – Bright city lights can disorient nocturnal migrants, causing collisions with buildings.
- Pollution – Vehicle emissions, pesticides, lead, and other pollutants can poison birds stopping over in Chicago.
- Building collisions – Glass windows and towers pose an collision threat, especially to birds migrating at night.
- Communication towers – Ill-placed towers and antennas disorient birds, also increasing collision risks.
Organizations like Chicago Bird Collision Monitors work to collect and safely release downed birds. But habitat conservation and modifying dangerous structures are needed to reduce threats to migrating birds stopping over in Chicago.
Conclusion
Chicago provides important migratory stopover habitat for millions of birds that pass through the region each spring and fall. From songbirds like colorful warblers to flocks of ducks and geese, the city’s location along the shores of Lake Michigan make it a vital oasis for food, rest, and shelter during migration. Understanding migration patterns, behavior, and threats can help residents appreciate and protect the amazing journeys of these remarkable migratory birds.