2021 Birds of Concern

BCN’s latest 2021 edition of the Birds of Concern list identifies 12 species of high concern (Level 1) within the Chicago Wilderness region, and 12 more of moderately high concern (Level 2). Species of particular concern include Henslow’s Sparrow, Bobolink, Black-billed Cuckoo, Red-headed Woodpecker, Cerulean Warbler, and Eastern Whip-poor-will, along with six more species primarily exclusive to wetlands including Black Rail, King Rail, American Bittern, Common Tern, Black Tern, and the recently famous Piping Plover. Some of these species like Red-headed Woodpeckers and Henslow’s Sparrows are currently doing well and even increasing in Chicagoland thanks in part to restoration and land management efforts, but due to our regional importance for them, they are still top species of concern. Other birds such as Black-billed Cuckoos and Bobolinks have faced alarming declines and we need to be extra careful to protect the areas where they are still breeding.

Although a simple tool, the Birds of Concern list is a valuable resource that can be easily utilized to help prioritize natural areas for birds that matter there most.