Suggestion Box is Open for Baby Piping Plover Names

Piping plover eggs have been confirmed at Montrose beach in 2021 by wildlife officials. (Courtesy of Chicago Park District)Piping plover eggs have been confirmed at Montrose beach in 2021 by wildlife officials. (Courtesy of Chicago Park District)

The wait is officially on for the arrival of Chicago’s newest piping plover chicks. While expectant parents Monty and Rose do the heavy lifting of incubating their clutch of eggs, the rest of us can help prep for the little ones by dreaming up names.  

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Suggestions are being taken through May 31 via an online submission form. The names will be chosen by members of local nature and environmental organizations. The same process was used in 2020, with Monty and Rose's three chicks dubbed Hazel, Esperanza and Nish.

The names should reflect Chicago’s heritage, culture and diversity. Names of elected officials or political figures will not be accepted.

Great Lakes piping plovers are an endangered shorebird, with just 70 or fewer breeding pairs remaining. In 2019, Monty and Rose successfully reared two chicks at Montrose beach, the first in Chicago and Cook County since 1948. 

The pair returned to the city’s lakefront in 2020 and reunited again in April of this year, with a nest confirmed earlier in May.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]


Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors