A Record-breaking Year
Tarik Shahzad, Cook County record holder.
Congratulations to local birder Tarik Shahzad for his Big Year in 2024. Shahzad, 27, set the Cook County birding record by logging 294 unique bird species—all while working full time as an environmental policy advocate for The Nature Conservancy. Shahzad set the new record with a flourish, recording the first ever confirmed sighting of a Short-tailed Shearwater in Illinois on Dec. 8. The Cook County record was previously held by Matthew Cvetas, who recorded 293 species in 2022.
Short-tailed Shearwater. Photo by Tarik Shahzad
Shahzad’s motivation for attempting a Big Year was a mix of adventure-seeking and a desire to deepen his connection to our resident and migratory birds. He said, “We are losing billions of birds to a changing climate and global habitat loss, and I didn't want to take them for granted.”
Shahzad’s original goal was to spot 280 species, but as 2024 progressed, he sensed the opportunity to do more. He recalled, “As I birded, I realized my luck and determination was projecting me to punch above my weight class, so I kept going.”
Shahzad’s quest took him all over the county and to all sorts of settings—confirming that bird fans can find something interesting in even the humblest of green spaces. Shahzad recorded finds in county forest preserves, city parks, lakeside sanctuaries, a retention pond behind a CVS and a 19th-century cemetery.
Northern Harrier zooming in front of Tarik Shahzad. Photo by Kenzo Pan.
Highlights from his journey included seeing a Long-tailed Jaeger while out on a boat on Lake Michigan, a flyby Atlantic subspecies Brant’s Goose at Park 566, and the record-breaking Short-tailed Shearwater, which left his hands trembling as it zoomed past Montrose pier.
Other exciting finds included a Golden Eagle, Mississippi Kite, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Golden-winged Warbler (the ABA bird of 2024), Burrowing Owl and LeConte’s Sparrow. His photos capture just some of the beautiful and compelling creatures he spotted in 2024.
Fox Sparrow. Photo by Tarik Shahsad
The year’s goal was reached, but the process wasn’t always smooth or predictable. Shahzad reflected, “I learned that a stretched-out, long-term goal like a Big Year won't go as planned no matter how hard you try to stick to a script and paradigm. I saw so many rare birds that I didn't expect would appear, and I missed many birds I thought would be a shoo-in for my count.”
The COS board is particularly grateful that, even during this colossal effort, Shahzad found time to share his passion and insight by leading COS walks at the Calumet River Basin, the Chicago River Basin and Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie.
Bonaparte’s Gull. Photo by Tarik Shahzad.
Looking back on his achievement, Shahzad described his Big Year as a “condensed yet accelerated rush at how we all try to figure out life: scrambling when we’re confused, facing heartbreak, relying on others when we’re down, profound luck, determination leading to results, and joy in pursuing what we love.”
He is already missing the ups and downs of the journey: “The rarity chases, the near misses, the epic self-finds, the incredible friends made along the way and … the beauty of these avian marvels. I look back and cherish all these moments just as much as the finish to my goal.”
Tarik Shahzad right after his record-breaking find. Photo by Donald Estep.
Inspired by Shahzad’s achievement? It’s not too late to set your own unique birding goal for 2025. Maybe your goal is visiting different birding locations in Cook County, or chasing after that species that has eluded you, or bringing along a buddy to your favorite patch during migration. Whatever you aim for in 2025, best of luck and we hope COS events and community can be part of your experience.