The Field Museum ushered in a new era of scientific exploration with Monday’s unveiling of the Chicago Archaeopteryx.
Stories by Patty Wetli
Where in the World is Archaeopteryx?
Only 13 specimens of Archaeopteryx — and one special feather — are known to exist since the first Archaeopteryx fossils were discovered in 1860. Most come from the same deposit of Solnhofen Limestone in Bavaria, Germany.
The Field Museum Now Has an Incredibly Rare Fossil Proving Birds Are Dinosaurs. Here’s a Behind-the-Scenes Look at How They Got It
The Field formally announced to the world what had become a not-so-well-kept secret: The museum had acquired just the 13th specimen known to exist of Archaeopteryx, a fossil often described as the “missing link” between dinosaurs and birds.
Meet Jingmai O’Connor, the Punk Rock Paleontologist Who Leads the Field Museum’s Archaeopteryx Team
WTTW News sat down with paleornithologist Jingmai O’Connor and talked about dinosaurs, birds, the Chicago Archaeopteryx, evolution and why studying fossil birds is more important now than ever.
Chicago On Migration High Alert as Hundreds of Millions of Birds on the Move Nightly Across the US
BirdCast, a project of Cornell Bird Lab and Colorado State University, has issued a high alert for Chicago, recommending lights out to reduce collision risks for birds.
Early Cicada Sightings Are a False Alarm, Mass Emergence Not Here Yet, Researchers Say
It’s not uncommon for some cicadas to jump the gun, experts said. Recent sightings, especially after last weekend’s rains, aren’t a sign that the mass emergence has started.
Who’s Ready for a Wild Weekend? The Annual City Nature Challenge is Here
Hundreds of cities around the world will take part in the friendly City Nature Challenge competition — Friday through Monday — to see who can identify the most biodiversity.
Imani Is Back at Montrose Beach. Will This Be the Year Chicago’s Piping Plover Bachelor Finds a Mate?
Imani is the son of Chicago's beloved late piping plover lovebirds, Monty and Rose.
Get Ready to Clean Out the Garage. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site Coming to South Suburbs
For the second year in a row, the Cook County government has celebrated Earth Day by announcing a new south suburban recycling facility aimed at taking some of the nastiest garbage out of the waste stream.
The Bluebells Are Here. Catch These Short-Lived Beauties Before They’re Gone
These gorgeous spring ephemerals love woodland habitats near creeks, and they’ll spread like a carpet on the forest floor. But only for a couple of weeks, and then they’re gone.
Sour Cherries: Weird Weather Stunts Blossoms in Jackson Park for Second Year in a Row
The Cherry Blossom trees in Jackson Park won’t reach peak bloom this year, the Chicago Park District said.
Look Who’s Coming to the DNC: Stephen Colbert Bringing Live ‘Late Show’ Broadcasts to Chicago
Stephen Colbert, host of CBS’s “Late Show,” announced Wednesday night he’ll be broadcasting live from Chicago during the convention, Aug. 19-22.
Advocates Say Chicago’s New Sustainable Development Guidelines Fail to Protect Birds: ‘That’s Shameful’
Spring migration is still weeks away from reaching its peak in Chicago and already the tiny body bags are piling up, filled with birds killed in collisions with the city’s glass buildings.
WTTW News Explains: Why Will There Be So Many Cicadas in Illinois This Year?
In case you haven’t heard, the cicadas are coming, and things are about to get loud. WTTW News explains.
G’Day, Chicago! Koalas Coming to Brookfield Zoo, Debuting Memorial Day Weekend
For the first time in its 90-year history, Brookfield Zoo Chicago will welcome koalas.
Baby Bald Eagles Confirmed in 3 of 4 Nests in Will County Forest Preserves
Sharp-eyed observers have now confirmed hatchlings in three of the four bald eagle nests being monitored on Will County forest preserve property.
Lighting Upgrades Will Create Mini-Blackout on Museum Campus, Lakefront Path This Weekend
Lights will be out in parking lots and along portions of the lakefront bike and pedestrian trails from 7 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Great Lakes Beaches Might Look Clean, But They’re Littered With Tiny Plastics, New Report Says
Alliance for the Great Lakes has collected 20 years’ worth of data from beach cleanups. Tiny plastic trash is a huge problem.
EPA Sets New Rule on ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water. What Does It Mean for Chicago?
Chicago’s water has been tested numerous times for the presence of so-called “forever chemicals,” and the substances have never been detected.
First Great Lakes Piping Plover Returns to Michigan, Watch Is On for Chicago
Wildlife officials are reporting that the season’s first Great Lakes piping plover, known as YibBee, has returned to his breeding grounds at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Will arrivals in Chicago be far behind?
Here’s Where to Recycle Those Eclipse Glasses (Or You Can Save Them for 2099)
Instead of trashing those vital eclipse glasses, recycle them at any one of dozens of Chicago locations.
‘Watershed’ Moment for Chicago River System as Tougher Rules Take Effect for City’s Sewer Discharges
“Chicago owns the most outfalls that discharge into the river system, and controlling what comes out of them is essential to reach our shared vision for a fishable-swimmable river that is accessible to everyone,” said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River.
Traveling to Carbondale for the Eclipse? IDOT Says ‘Pack a 10-Gallon Tank of Patience’
The Illinois Department of Transportation learned a lot from the traffic jam “hangover” that followed 2017’s solar eclipse: mainly to warn motorists to expect gridlock.
Preservationist-Backed Study Finds Promontory Point Rock Wall is Good for Another 100 Years as Efforts Continue to Fight Off Demolition
An independent engineering study has concluded Promontory Point’s limestone blocks are still functioning as ample shoreline protection, which refutes a longstanding position held by the Army Corps of Engineers.
MWRD Primary Results Are in: Waller Defeats Pogorzelski, Moves on to General Election
Challenger Sharon Waller has bested incumbent Daniel “Pogo” Pogorzelski in the Democratic race to claim a seat on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s board of commissioners, according to unofficial results from the Chicago Board of Elections released Tuesday evening.
The Great American Eclipse: Your Guide to the Upcoming Solar Show in Chicago, Downstate Illinois and Everywhere Else
The Great American Eclipse is almost here. Here’s how to make the most of the experience in Illinois and the Chicago area.
