The Rookery
A rookery is a nesting colony where birds gather in large groups to breed and raise their young. Nests are placed closely together in trees. Black-crowned Night Herons began nesting in Lincoln Park in the early 2000s and have since concentrated at Lincoln Park Zoo, where the colony now numbers in the hundreds.
The rookery is visible from the public sidewalk along Stockton Drive between Webster and Dickens, outside Lincoln Park Zoo.
Location
Nesting Season
April – Courtship and nest building
May – Egg-laying and hatching
June – Chicks grow; fledging begins
July – Juveniles become more independent; local dispersal increases
August – Colony disperses
Where Else Can I See Herons?
In Chicago, Black-crowned Night Herons forage wherever shallow, calm water provides prey, often close to people. They roost in trees nearby foraging spots.
This includes:
Lake Michigan shoreline - harbors, breakwalls, and lagoons
Park lagoons and ponds - including in Lincoln, Humboldt, Jackson, and Columbus Parks
Chicago River and canals - slower-moving stretches
Wetlands and marsh edges - shallow water with abundant prey
GPS-tracking of 17 adults from the Chicago rookery 2024-2025 from MoveBank.org
