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The story of the whooping crane is a troubled one that nearly ended with these majestic birds' extinction. And while small populations of these cranes still do exist today, they haven't experienced the conservation successes that we've seen with other birds, like bald eagles and great egrets. 

If you see a rodent scurrying across your floor, you may not care if it is a mouse or a rat, but there are several key differences between them. And while some mice and rats are non-native nuisances, native species of both also live in Illinois.

The wildlife all around us is critical to the health of our ecosystems.

The red fox has earned its reputation for being clever and cunning.

Birds aren't exactly a rarity in our world, populating just about every type of habitat worldwide in good numbers. But if you want to see a variety of birds or brush up on your local birding knowledge, the Will County forest preserves are a good place to start. 

With more than 10,000 described bird species in the world, some of them are bound to be a little, well, unusual. 

In their adult plumage, golden eagles and bald eagles are easy to distinguish from one another. As juveniles, however, they look much more similar.

Sandhill cranes are the supermodels of the bird world, tall, elegant and eye-catching with their gray plumage and crimson eye patches. 

Each spring and fall, our lakes undergo a quiet but essential change that keeps them healthy for aquatic species.

Ring-necked pheasants aren't native to Illinois or even the United States, but these birds have been common since the 1800s after being introduced as a game bird.

There's plenty to do and see here in any season.

Buffalo and bison are not synonyms, although the term buffalo has been in widespread use in reference to bison for centuries.

When does a grassland become a prairie or a savanna? It has a lot to do with the trees, or lack thereof.

Keeping your bird feeders full is only half the equation when it comes to keeping the birds happy and healthy. In addition to keeping the food coming, you need to clean your feeders regularly too. 

Birds make the same migratory journeys year after year, but weather can play a big role on how many birds are traveling at any given time.

Ants are powerhouses in the animal kingdom, always busy and able to carry many times their body weight. There's plenty about them that makes them interesting.