The buzz

The belted kingfisher is a common bird that lives across the entire United States, and they often catch the eye and the ear with their top-heavy appearance and loud, rattling calls.

Next time you stop to smell the roses, or any other sweet-smelling flower for that matter, keep in mind that the fragrance isn't intended for you. Instead, the plants are trying to attract insects and birds to aid in pollination. 

Is that a moth or a butterfly? Learn the clues to help you tell the difference. 

Opossums are often depicted in cartoons as hanging upside down by their tails, but they aren't really able to do it for any length of time. 

River otters once nearly disappeared from Illinois, but these playful creatures have rebounded, thanks to a successful conservation program.

What does it mean when the grass is wet and dewy in the morning? Can it tell you anything about the weather to come?

If you've ever seen a monkey in a tree in an Illinois forest, chances are it was really a tree burl creating an optical illusion. 

Wetlands link land and water, creating a crucial habitat with many important roles.

That chipmunk you see may be a 13-lined ground squirrel. Learn how to tell them apart and everything you need to know about these ground squirrels. 

Rabbits are well-known for their ability to reproduce, but what makes them more prolific than other animals?