Red-tailed Hawk by Trent Pearce/Audubon Photography Awards
Upcoming Events
We lead and sponsor many kinds of events, such as special online presentations, bird walks and volunteer workdays. All are welcome, especially beginners.
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.
Check out the History of the Wooded Island Bird Outings
Fall migration is upon us, and so are these much-loved outings at North Park Village Nature Center! Join us as we travel through this beautiful preserve, which encompasses 46 acres of gorgeous trails winding through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savanna habitats. The route is approximately one mile long and takes about two hours to traverse.
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 CBA for an afternoon bird walk at Washington Park. This 345-acre hotspot packs diverse habitats including woodland and wetland. We will walk a roughly 1-mile loop around the park's lagoons in search of Chicago's wild wonders as the sun sets. Birders of all experience levels and ages are welcome to attend. Loaner binoculars will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
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.
Fall migration is upon us, and so are these much-loved outings at North Park Village Nature Center! Join us as we travel through this beautiful preserve, which encompasses 46 acres of gorgeous trails winding through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savanna habitats. The route is approximately one mile long and takes about two hours to traverse.
Join CBA and COS for this joint morning birding trip out to Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington. This destination is a favorite for many city birders who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle. The Forest Preserves of Cook County manages the property's prairies, woodlands, and wetlands that host 246 bird species throughout the year. This trip is designed to be a slow-paced, social bird outing.
Fall migration is upon us, and so are these much-loved outings at North Park Village Nature Center! Join us as we travel through this beautiful preserve, which encompasses 46 acres of gorgeous trails winding through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savanna habitats. The route is approximately one mile long and takes about two hours to traverse.
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.
Is your family interested in discovering the joys of birdwatching? Join us around the 0.75 mile pond loop at North Park Village Nature Center to learn more about this hobby in a kid-friendly way. This trail is primarily dirt and woodchips with some boardwalk.
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.
Fall migration is upon us, and so are these much-loved outings at North Park Village Nature Center! Join us as we travel through this beautiful preserve, which encompasses 46 acres of gorgeous trails winding through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savanna habitats. The route is approximately one mile long and takes about two hours to traverse.
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.
Fall migration is upon us, and so are these much-loved outings at North Park Village Nature Center! Join us as we travel through this beautiful preserve, which encompasses 46 acres of gorgeous trails winding through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savanna habitats. The route is approximately one mile long and takes about two hours to traverse.
Want to learn about film photography? Want to learn about birds? In partnership with Chicago Bird Alliance, participants will learn how to use analog photography as a tool to slow down, reflect, and learn about birds, their habitat, and birding in Chicago. No experience with birding or photography is necessary.
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.
Fall migration is upon us, and so are these much-loved outings at North Park Village Nature Center! Join us as we travel through this beautiful preserve, which encompasses 46 acres of gorgeous trails winding through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savanna habitats. The route is approximately one mile long and takes about two hours to traverse.
Want to learn about film photography? Want to learn about birds? In partnership with Chicago Bird Alliance, participants will learn how to use analog photography as a tool to slow down, reflect, and learn about birds, their habitat, and birding in Chicago. No experience with birding or photography is necessary.
Join CBA and COS for this joint morning birding trip out to Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington. This destination is a favorite for many city birders who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle. The Forest Preserves of Cook County manages the property's prairies, woodlands, and wetlands that host 246 bird species throughout the year. This trip is designed to be a slow-paced, social bird outing.
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.
Fall migration is upon us, and so are these much-loved outings at North Park Village Nature Center! Join us as we travel through this beautiful preserve, which encompasses 46 acres of gorgeous trails winding through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savanna habitats. The route is approximately one mile long and takes about two hours to traverse.
Want to learn about film photography? Want to learn about birds? In partnership with Chicago Bird Alliance, participants will learn how to use analog photography as a tool to slow down, reflect, and learn about birds, their habitat, and birding in Chicago. No experience with birding or photography is necessary.
Is your family interested in discovering the joys of birdwatching? Join us around the 0.75 mile pond loop at North Park Village Nature Center to learn more about this hobby in a kid-friendly way. This trail is primarily dirt and woodchips with some boardwalk.
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.
Fall migration is upon us, and so are these much-loved outings at North Park Village Nature Center! Join us as we travel through this beautiful preserve, which encompasses 46 acres of gorgeous trails winding through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savanna habitats. The route is approximately one mile long and takes about two hours to traverse.
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.
