Where to see Great Blue Heron in Illinois

We found 25 places featuring Great Blue Heron in Illinois. Plan your next visit below.

Great Blue Heron

Common · Birds

Map of Great Blue Heron sightings in Illinois

Explore clustered snap locations for this species in Illinois.

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Park22 sightings20 species

Illinois, US

Sauganash Trail

Rails To Trails, Urban Oasis, Walking, Cycling, Running, Wildlife, Family Friendly, Accessible, Nature, Chicago Park

You might spot White Mulberry, House Finch, and Scissor Grinder.

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Zoo30 sightings19 species

Illinois, US

Brookfield Zoo

Accessible and Animal Encounters

You might spot Polar Bear, Brown Bear, and American Bison.

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Humboldt (Alexander Von) Park place preview

Park129 sightings15 species

Illinois, US

Humboldt (Alexander Von) Park

Birdwatching, Family Friendly, Historic, Cultural, Outdoor Recreation, Boating, Urban Oasis, Wildlife Viewing

You might spot Wood Duck, Red-Winged Blackbird, and Duck.

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Park122 sightings14 species

Illinois, US

River Park

Wildlife Friendly, Family Friendly, Birdwatching, Paddling, Fishing, Hiking, Accessible, Nature Reserve, Sports

You might spot Duck, American Robin, and Black-Crowned Night Heron.

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Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden place preview

Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden

Bird Watching and Botanical Garden

You might spot Cassin's 13-Year Cicada, Duck, and White-Tailed Deer.

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Black Hawk State Historic Site place preview

Park25 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Black Hawk State Historic Site

Bird Watching and Civilian Conservation Corps.

You might spot Brown-Belted Bumble Bee and Eastern Gray Squirrel.

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Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Bronzeville

African American History and Architecture

You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Duck, and Canada Goose.

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Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Busse Woods

Biking and Bird Watching

You might spot Prairie Trillium, Garter Snake, and Duck.

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Downtown Quincy Historic District place preview

Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Downtown Quincy Historic District

Architectural Styles and Cultural Heritage

You might spot Eastern Fox Squirrel, Amur Honeysuckle, and Poison Hemlock.

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Dresden Island Lock and Dam Historic District place preview

Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Dresden Island Lock and Dam Historic District

Bird Watching and Engineering Marvel

You might spot Blue Phlox, Great Blue Heron, and Bloodroot.

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Galesburg Historic District place preview

Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Galesburg Historic District

Architecture and Carl Sandburg

You might spot Canada Goose, American Robin, and Great Blue Heron.

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Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Garfield Park

Botanical Garden and Chicago Landmark.

You might spot Common Milkweed, Great Blue Heron, and Canada Goose.

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Zoo30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Henson Robinson Zoo

Animal Encounters and Conservation

You might spot Cassin's 13-Year Cicada, Duck, and Canada Goose.

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Hyde Park–Kenwood Historic District place preview

Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Hyde Park–Kenwood Historic District

Barack Obama Residence and Chicago Architecture

You might spot American Robin, Great Blue Heron, and Duck.

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Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Lock and Dam No. 21

Bald Eagles and Bird Watching

You might spot Ivory Gull, Bald Eagle, and Eastern Fox Squirrel.

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Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Morton Arboretum

"arboretum" and "botanical Garden"

You might spot Common Eastern Bumble Bee and Eastern Forktail.

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Philip H. Sheridan Reserve Center place preview

Park27 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Philip H. Sheridan Reserve Center

"birdwatching" and "cross Country Skiing"

You might spot Monarch, Red-Tailed Hawk, and Large White Trillium.

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Pullman National Historical Park place preview

Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Pullman National Historical Park

Chicago History and Civil Rights

You might spot Painted Turtle, Red-Tailed Hawk, and American Herring Gull.

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Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

Stolp Island

Architectural Landmark and Cultural Heritage

You might spot American Robin, Great Blue Heron, and Red-Winged Blackbird.

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West Argyle Street Historic District place preview

Park30 sightings12 species

Illinois, US

West Argyle Street Historic District

Architecture and Asian Food

You might spot Red-Winged Blackbird and Northern Cardinal.

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Park11 sightings10 species

Illinois, US

Gompers Park

Birdwatching, Hiking, Family Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible, Fishing, Wetlands, Playground, Sports Facilities, Nature Trails, Chicago River, Historic, Picnicking.

You might spot Pond Slider and Great Blue Heron.

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Park25 sightings10 species

Illinois, US

Indian Boundary Park

Park, Cultural Center, Nature Area, Family Friendly, Playground, Birdwatching, Historic, Urban Oasis, Accessible, Community Events

You might spot Pond Slider, Virginia Bluebells, and Canada Goose.

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Park22 sightings8 species

Illinois, US

Carver Park

Community Park, Family Friendly, Sports, Recreation, Swimming, Playground, Urban Wildlife, Fitness, Chicago Park District, Birdwatching

You might spot American Robin and Northern Mockingbird.

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Park14 sightings8 species

Illinois, US

Eugene Field Park

Bird Watching and Family Friendly

You might spot Illinois Bundleflower, Wild Bergamot, and Cup Plant.

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Park95 sightings8 species

Illinois, US

Jackson Park

Birdwatching, Historic, Nature Sanctuary, Family Friendly, Lakefront, Walking Trails, Wildlife, Photography, Cherry Blossoms, Accessible.

You might spot Great Blue Heron and American Herring Gull.

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Recent snaps of Great Blue Heron in Illinois

Great Blue Heron

Jul 6, 2025

Garfield Park

Open source (iNaturalist) ↗

Photo attribution

no rights reserved

License: CC0 1.0 ↗

Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.

View original observation ↗

Great Blue Heron

Jul 3, 2025

Garfield Park

Open source (iNaturalist) ↗

Photo attribution

no rights reserved

License: CC0 1.0 ↗

Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.

View original observation ↗

Great Blue Heron

Jun 6, 2026

Busse Woods

Open source (iNaturalist) ↗