Chicago Ornithological Society
Established in 1912 for all who love birds, nature, and conservation
Enjoy
We organize and host over 100 field trips taking place year round and throughout the Chicagoland area. We strive to make our trips inclusive to all experience levels and background. All trips are free and loaner binoculars available.
Volunteer
From conservation projects, to leading bird walks, to social media management, everything that we accomplish is through the power of volunteers. Volunteers are always welcome and needed as we work to make Chicago a haven for birds. Contact us to find your role with COS!
Learn
We produce dozens of educational programs a year featuring experts from across the field of birds and birding. These programs are public, free of charge, and feature renowned speakers, authors and researchers like Dr. Drew Lanham, Noah Strycker and Lynn E. Barber.
Advocate
Our organization keeps tabs on local developments that can impact bird life and habitat. We work with numerous partners across the environmental, political, and social spectrum to build a better city for people and wildlife.
2024 is the Year of the Peregrine Falcon!
Twenty-five years ago, after a hard fought election campaign with six contenders and 42,000 ballots cast, the Peregrine Falcon was declared the City of Chicago’s official bird. COS is marking this milestone by declaring 2024 The Year of the Peregrine Falcon.
Join us as we celebrate with falcon themed trips, programs, and media all year long and take this opportunity highlight an incredible species with a long and important history in our city.
LaBagh Woods Project
COS began restoration work in 2015 at LaBagh Woods on Chicago’s North Side. We host regular work days to clear invasive buckthorn and to plant shrubs. After the spring of 2022, we have planted almost 4,000 new native shrubs, with more plantings to come. We hope this healthier habitat attracts and supports more birds. Click the button to learn more about this keystone project and to sign up as a volunteer.
Calumet Initiative
The Calumet Region on the south side of Chicago was once dominated by wetlands but decades of industrialization have severely damaged the health of this critical ecosystem. More recently, work has begun to restore and revitalize this unique community. COS has joined countless partners to lead the way in restoring the Calumet region to a healthy place for people and wildlife. We invite you to learn more about this initiative and support this important work through volunteering and donations!
Support COS
Your membership supports our efforts to engage our community on birds and conservation, provide quality programming and educational opportunities - as well as this website! Additional donations are warmly appreciated as well. Thank you for caring about birds!
COS supports the proposed Bird-Safe Buildings ordinance
Bird Friendly Chicago is an alliance to promote a safer urban environment for birds through improved lighting, landscaping and glass features of buildings. COS encourages you view the informational site and declare your support for a new building ordinance to protect migratory birds from the tragedy of glass collisions in our city.
Art courtesy of Miranda Brandon.
Find us on eBird.
COS has uploaded checklists to eBird dating back to 1926 and we continue to add data from our field trips. Login to your eBird account and see our data!