Heron, Little Blue
Description: This state-endangered heron is rarely seen along the shoreline or wading in the water.
Heron, Green-backed**
Description: This is a small, hunched-up heron, visible on logs in the water, stalking prey along the shore, or flying overhead.
Heron, Great Blue
Description: This heron can be seen wading in water, spearing fish with its long beak, or flying over with neck and legs tucked.
Heron, Black-crowned Night***
Description: Most active in early morning and evening, this state-endangered bird may be seen flying over, sitting on logs in the water, or stalking prey on the shore.
Hawk, Sharp-shinned
Description: Often seen in fall, this migrant raptor may be visible flying over, or in a wooded area.
Hawk, Rough-legged
Description: Look for this uncommon winter migrant flying over from late fall through early spring, or less frequently perched in the top of a tree in the Dixon Prairie.
Hawk, Red-tailed***
Description: This raptor is likely to be seen year-round in any location at the Garden or flying overhead.
Hawk, Red-shouldered
Description: This hawk prefers wet woodlands and floodplains. It may be seen in the Garden's woodland, but is more likely to be spotted flying overhead during late fall migration.
Hawk, Cooper's***
Description: Once threatened in Illinois, this now commonly seen raptor may be spotted anywhere in the Garden.
Note: This is an image of a juvenile bird and not an adult.
Hawk, Broad-winged*
Description: The only visiting raptor may be seen in the woodland in summer, or more likely, flying over in September in large flocks or kettles of at 50 or more.