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Kankakee, a Winter Haven for Birds
- Stephanie Vanderweide
- Feb 15
- 3 min read
Winter in the Kankakee River Basin transformed the landscape, but for many of our feathered neighbors, it is a season of survival that requires energy-rich food and secure shelter. Read more to learn about what the area offers for habitat, what kind of birds you will see during the winter, and ways you can get involved with improving bird habitats in the winter.
❄️ Winter Habitats in Kankakee
Our region offers unique environments that support diverse bird populations throughout the winter:
Nature Preserves: Kankakee County contains numerous wildlife habitats and protected natural areas, including at least 10 state-designated nature preserves, 5 land and water reserves, and several other preserves managed by federal and local agencies. The Kankakee area nature preserves and their associated wetlands serve as essential stopovers for migratory waterfowl and provide open water for bald eagles to hunt.
Backyard Refuges: Your own property can become a "micro-habitat" by providing the three essentials birds need to thrive: food, water, and shelter.
🦉 Local Birds to Watch For
Common winter residents and visitors in our area include:
Non-Migratory Residents: Northern cardinals, black-capped chickadees, blue jays, and various woodpeckers (downy, hairy, and red-bellied).
Winter Specialists: Dark-eyed juncos, American tree sparrows, and birds of prey like the northern harrier.
Majestic Sightings: Bald eagles are frequently spotted along the Kankakee River during the winter months.
🤝 How You Can Help This Winter
You don't need a massive preserve to make a difference. Small actions in your own backyard can have a significant impact:
1. Provide High-Energy Food
Winter birds need extra calories just to maintain their body heat.
Best Options: Black oil sunflower seeds are widely preferred due to their high fat content and thin shells.
Fatty Supplements: Offer suet (animal fat-based food) or unsalted peanuts to help birds like woodpeckers and nuthatches combat the cold.
Cleanliness Matters: Regularly clean your feeders with a weak bleach solution to prevent the spread of diseases among wintering flocks.
2. Offer Fresh, Unfrozen Water
Finding liquid water can be more difficult for birds than finding food when temperatures drop below freezing.
Heated Bird Baths: Installing a heated bird bath or a small heater in an existing bath ensures birds can stay hydrated and keep their feathers clean for better insulation.
3. Create Winter Shelter
Natural Cover: Avoid over-trimming your landscape; evergreen trees, dense shrubs, and even brush piles made from fallen branches provide essential protection from wind and predators.
"Lazy" Gardening: Leave seed heads on native perennials (like coneflowers and asters) and keep leaf litter on the ground. These "messes" provide natural food sources and harbor overwintering insects that birds rely on.
Roosting Boxes: Clean out old nesting boxes or install specialized roosting boxes to give birds a warm place to huddle together at night.
🔭 Get Involved Locally
Join the Kankakee Valley Audubon Society: To learn more and connect with fellow enthusiasts, consider joining the Kankakee Valley Audubon Society. They host bird walk field trips throughout the year in local hotspots like Perry Farm and Kankakee River State Park.
Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count: From Feb 13-16 you can help identify how the bird population in the area is doing. Download the Marlin BirdID ap and spend 15 min in your backyard or get out to one of the 15 nature reserves in the area. The information helps conservationists determine whether any bird populations are in trouble and take preventive actions now.
RESOURCES USED:
Audubon Great Lakes: Winter Bird Feeding 101
Illinois Extension (University of Illinois): Managing Your Winter Landscape to Support Wildlife
National Audubon Society: 7 Birds Who Will Never Leave You And 1 That Really Ought To.
Purdue Extension: Winter Bird Feeding.
The Nature Conservancy: Midwest Winter Birds.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: How do birds keep warm in the winter?
The Great Backyard BirdCount
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