If you see a Common Grackle on a cloudy day, you might dismiss it as just another black bird, but when the sun comes out, this member of the blackbird family becomes a work of art, its iridescent purple head, glossy body, and striking yellow eyes making you take a second look.

Congratulations to our 2025 Kendeigh Grant awardees! This year’s funded projects will study how blood metabolites reflect migration strategies and body condition of birds, nocturnal migratory bird use of urban habitats in Chicago, and whether noise from highways interferes with male Red-winged Blackbird provisioning for nestlings.

The month of May brings an influx of late migrants including the Indigo Bunting, a small sparrow-sized member of the cardinal family (which also includes grosbeaks, tanagers, and buntings).

Our long wait for thrushes, wrens, sparrows, vireos, warblers, and many more feathered friends is finally over! May events include Bird-a-thon fundraiser, Sunday morning bird walks, and 2 guided walks at local parks.

Your May-June 2025 newsletter is here!

Are you enthusiastic and organized, willing to take minutes at Board meetings, and eager to support our mission? We’re seeking our next Secretary!

Petite and seemingly almost delicate, April’s bird of the month arrives in Champaign County around the time that Dark-eyed Juncos are leaving. Each has a trilling spring song that can sound very similar.

Birds are coming back! Our March Woodcock Walks were a great success, Sunday Morning Bird Walks continue through May, and CCAS’s 2025 Bird-a-Thon will take place May 11–18!

Your April 2025 newsletter is here!

This month, we answer questions about one of our area’s most recognizable birds, including “How did the American Robin get its name?” and “Where do our robins go in winter?” Plus, learn how to build a nesting platform specifically for robins!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count in February! In March, we'll host two woodcock walks to catch a glimpse of these birds' amazing spring dance.

Your March 2025 newsletter is here!

Would you like to talk to people about birds and CCAS at Urbana’s Market at the Square this year? We’re looking for volunteers to help us meet our goal of a fully staffed CCAS table one Saturday morning per month, May through October.

If you blink, you might miss this bird visiting your feeder, but look along tree trunks and branches and you’ll soon find this acrobatic species stashing seeds and searching for insects.

The cold weather has finally kicked in this winter! We can help our feathered friends stay warm by keeping our feeders stocked and heated bird baths plugged in.

Your February 2025 newsletter is here!

The vote and Member Meeting originally scheduled for December 5, 2024 was postponed to February 6, 2025. Please join us in person at our February meeting for a vote and informative program! Thank you!

One of Champaign County’s six resident woodpeckers, January’s featured bird has more red on its head than its namesake belly, but if you happen to spot it hanging upside down, you’ll see that hidden “blush of rose”!

Congratulations to this fall’s 2024 Mini-Grants for Educators awardees!

This month’s featured species is one of only a few songbirds that comes in different “color morphs”! Some White-throated Sparrows have tan-and-brown crowns, others have white-and-black, and individuals prefer to mate with their opposite!