Chicago Black-crowned Night Heron Project

Q: What is the website?

https://linktr.ee/chicagobcnhproject, http://chibcnhproject.org/, https://chibcnhproject.org/contact, https://chibcnhpro

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Chicago Black-crowned Night Heron Project

Chicago’s Black-crowned Night-Herons are Illinois-endangered—and their story is unfolding right here in the city. See them. Learn about them. Help protect them.

This project is dedicated to advocating for Illinois state-endangered Black-crowned Night Heron, centered on the largest substantial breeding colony in Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo, through outreach, education, research and collaboration. Once found across the state, Illinois’ last known breeding rookery now nests seasonally in Lincoln Park Zoo, where hundreds of wild herons raise their chicks each

spring and summer in the middle of one of the nation’s busiest parks. This volunteer-led project was launched in 2022 to raise awareness, advocate for protection, and support research to help reverse population declines driven by habitat loss. We work alongside conservation partners to celebrate these remarkable, resilient birds—and to push for a future where they can thrive across Illinois once again. Compendium of links about the herons and this project:

https://linktr.ee/chicagobcnhproject?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=dab03862-8492-47be-be26-46bfd12286aa

Like the logo? Buy our merch! All proceeds support BCNH advocacy:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/chicago-black-crowned-night-heron-project/?srsltid=AfmBOorzATgtzXQc5_L-UTVUUwTGrosDvpDNkW1ydlMhihCArP7Q9w1_&fbclid=IwY2xjawPCUaJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWbUxPdXRxbmQ0M1RTODNUc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkx4Jp6Ic70deejX0vnEzvDymgR4dEp4vNx14rkkjtISF-lid6m9Sp_r67F0_aem_HXmepUZ2LOGIMgXNYNdTGQ

08/21/2026

Kinda chic to enter the "Show Us Your Qwoks" photo contest 😏 Open through August 31. Submission form in bio.

08/19/2026

Behold: your Black-crowned Night Heron Ambassadors! 😍🧡 This incredible team of Qwokers (plus a few out foraging) connected with thousands of Chicagoans and visitors during our weekly Rookery Roosts this season. THANK YOU to our volunteers and everyone who engaged with them for making this summer a success!

Met a Heron Ambassador this year? Tell us your favorite takeaway below! And if you snapped photos while visiting, don't forget to submit them to our "Show Us Your Qwoks" photo contest by August 31st (link in bio).

08/13/2026

There is still time to Show Us Your Qwoks as part of our first-ever BCNH photo contest! Submit your favorite Black-crowned Night Heron photo by August 31st for a chance to win special prizes! 😍

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🔗 Details + entry form: https://chibcnhproject.org/photo-contest-2026

08/06/2026

We're waiting for the weekend like it's a tasty 🐟

Black-crowned night herons hunt by waiting patiently for prey to approach, then snatching it up quickly! Unlike some other herons, they do not stab their prey.

08/04/2026

👀 Heron roll call! Where have you seen Black-crowned Night Herons recently? Share with us in the comments!

The Rookery at LPZ is becoming less active, but that doesn't mean the herons are gone! The herons that migrate south don't do so right away, and we don't blame them because it's way too hot down there. Instead, they are dispersing, exploring Chicagoland and neighboring states as the juveniles grow bigger and stronger.

If you snap a great photo while spotting the herons, don't forget to submit it for our "Show Us Your Qwoks" Photo contest, which is open through August 31st!

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08/01/2026

📸 SHOW US YOUR QWOKS!

Got a great Black-crowned Night Heron photo? We want the qwoks. 😂🪶

Juveniles. Adults. Rookery sightings. Neighborhood qwoks. Send ’em our way!

📅 Submit by August 31!

👉 ENTER THE PHOTO CONTEST:
https://chibcnhproject.org/photo-contest-2026

07/31/2026

🔊 If you ask us, qwoks have been the real song of the summer! 😍The rookery is quieter, but these bangers are now playing all across the Chicago region! 🎵

🪶 While the colony’s dispersing, our community is growing! Our newsletter just launched—sign up: https://chibcnhproject.org/contact

📸 Got favorite heron photos? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s announcement! 👀

07/30/2026

This is essentially live footage of us trying to cram in as many hours of Black-crowned Night Heron watching as possible before the season ends! 🐟 😂
Amazing shot by community member CJ Mac at River Park! There’s plenty more to come... 👀 Keep an eye on your feed this Saturday, August 1st, for an exciting announcement!

07/28/2026

Big thanks to Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, and Daily Herald for getting the qwok out! 🗞️ ('qwok' is the sound black-crowned night herons make!)

It’s been great connecting with so many community members 👋 who are learning about BCNHs' state-endangered status and our local rookery for the first time. Your neighborhood sighting stories have been amazing, and we can’t wait to see even more of them! 📸 Keep an eye on your feed this Saturday, August 1st, for a fun announcement coming your way!

Catch up on our recent letters to the editor:
📰 Chicago Sun-Times: https://chicago.suntimes.com/letters-to-the-editor/2026/07/24/black-crowned-night-heron-british-open-world-cup-disability-pride-parade-bars
📰 Chicago Tribune: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/25/letters-072526-black-crowned-night-heron/
📰 Daily Herald: https://www.dailyherald.com/20260727/letters-to-the-editor/endangered-birds-are-choosing-chicago/

07/26/2026

Black-crowned night herons of all ages are exploring Chicagoland and it can be hard to tell apart their age and heron experience. Test your knowledge with this qwok quiz! 🤓 HINT: Pay attention to heads and feather colors 🔍

Answers in the comments!

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Chicago, IL

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