Bird Outings
Chicago Bird Alliance has been leading bird walks for over 30 years, in all areas of Chicago, on the north and south sides, and surrounding suburbs. Check out our detailed reports for past walks, and join us for an upcoming walk listed below.
All are welcome! Membership is not required, and people with all experience levels - including no experience - are encouraged to join us. We love to help anyone that is interested in learning about birds and birding.
Wear comfortable clothes and bring binoculars if you can.
We have walks every Saturday morning at Wooded Island in Jackson Park, weather permitting; at North Park Nature Center every Saturday during migration; and at other locations and dates as noted below.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Step onto the floating docks of the Chicago River's Wild Mile with Holly Greenberg and join this crowdsourced environmental art project by crafting a bird replica for the 300-foot carpet of birds killed in window collisions in Chicago. Free and open to all ages.
Join us at Plum Creek for an evening spotting Common Nighthawks on their migration route to South America! The cul-de-sac at the end of Plum Creek Meadow’s parking lot has a gorgeous, wide-open view of the sky. Bring your lawn chair and eagle eyes to help us spot nighthawks migrating through prior to their return next spring.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Join us for a morning walk at Park No. 566 to see prairie birds such as sparrows, meadowlarks, raptors and maybe some early fall migrants. Park No. 566 is an incredible restored prairie that sees uncommon bird species like parasitic jaegers, blue grosbeaks and many more. Its proximity to the lakefront provides an incredible opportunity to see birds in flight through Lake Michigan with the city of Chicago in the background.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Join Chicago's Cosplaying Hotties for our FIRST EVER coshottie bird nerd walk! We will be observing, identifying, and counting birds at the South Shore Nature Sanctuary while in cosplay/nerdy attire! Walk will be led by bird outing leaders Admin V and Coshottie Canny, and CBA leaders Eugenio Calderon and Dan Lory. Games and debrief at the end of the walk.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Join us for the second of this birding festival featuring keynote speakers, presentations, workshops, outings, and get-togethers with other birders.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
The Best of Costa Rica Birding Trip 2026
November 22 – December 2, 2026 | 11 Days / 10 Night
Discover why Costa Rica is considered one of the world's premier birding destinations on this unforgettable 11-day adventure with Chicago Bird Alliance. From lush rainforests and scenic volcanoes to tropical wetlands, cloud forests, and Pacific mangroves, you'll explore some of the country's most diverse ecosystems in search of an incredible variety of birds and wildlife.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Chicago Bird Alliance has hosted walks at Jackson Park every Saturday, year ‘round (weather permitting), for over 50 years! We traverse a distance of about two miles, walking through Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow. The walks are free and open to all, and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
