Ever been loudly scolded by a small reddish-brown ball of fluff with an upturned tail? You've met our latest bird of the month!

This fun waterbird can be a challenge from afar to birders. Small size, sitting low in the water, and a short, thick bill...so it can't be a duck... And it's an excellent diver too? It's a Pied-billed Grebe!

September’s bird of the month is one many of us have known since childhood, a bird which many people enjoy having at feeders because of their striking plumage and energy, while others resent them because they may drive other birds away from feeders.

You have likely already heard August’s bird of the month this summer. Named for its distinctive “kill-deer” call, this shorebird is a frequent visitor of lawns, pastures, fields, and golf courses.

July’s bird of the month is not a secretive one. It’s Latin name translates to “tyrant tyrant,” and it is not shy about letting other birds (and squirrels too!) know when they’re trespassing on its turf.

You won’t see June’s bird of the month at your feeders,
nor perched in your yard, or perched anywhere for that
matter. This bird belongs a family that people thought
for many centuries had no feet!

Spring is a great time to find warblers, as many migrate through Champaign County. This month’s featured bird is one of the warblers that sticks around, and is the most common to nest in our area.

April’s bird of the month is a flycatcher with a distinctive raspy call. Learn where to find this bird by its voice and spot its unique habit of “pumping” its tail up and down while perching.

There are many special birds that come to our area in March, but this sky-dancing, forest-dwelling shorebird is nothing short of extraordinary. Learn more about the American Woodcock and where you can watch their dusk mating dance this month.

February’s bird of the month is the smallest woodpecker in North America but easily confused with its cousin the the Hairy Woodpecker.

You may see January’s bird of the month at your backyard feeder, although it’s not there for any of the seed, nuts, fruit, or suet you’ve provided.

December’s bird of the month is one of the most iconic winter birds in North America, often found on greeting cards this time of year, beautifully contrasted with white snow .

November’s bird of the month arrived to Illinois in only the 1970s and is now a common visitor to backyard feeders year-round. The species is vulnerable to an illness that affects its eyes, and we encourage you to help stop the spread.

October’s bird of the month is the most frequently sighted hawk in Champaign County, and the most common of all the 28 birds of prey that spend at least part of their lives in North America.

One of Champaign County’s six nesting woodpeckers, this distinctive species increases in numbers during the fall as birds that nested and hatched north of Illinois migrate through.

One of Champaign County’s latest breeding songbirds, this colorful species can be seen year-round, with males shifting from winter’s dull gray-green to spring’s brilliant yellow and back again.

You may not have seen this month’s star songster hidden in dense thickets, but you’ve likely heard its rapid chorus of songs and distinctive mewing!

June’s bird of the month nests in colonies that can range in size from just a few nests to more than 500, all located high in tall trees, and will come back to these nests year after year.

One of the brightest, boldest, most colorful members of the avian family is coming to our area this month, all the way from Central America.

Arriving in our area in late April, this month’s featured bird weighs as little as a dime or a nickel, can beat its wings 53 times per second, hovers effortlessly, and can even fly backwards!