Wildlife Protection

Keeping It Simple: Easy Ways to Help Wildlife Along Roads

Culvert ledges offer phoebes more nest options

Since the 1970s, every time Illinois Department of Transportation workers have replaced a box culvert, they have added a concrete ledge for Eastern phoebes, just to increase their habitat. The sparrow-sized, fly-catching birds prefer to nest on flat surfaces such as bridges, cliffs, and yes - ledges. Culvert inspectors verify that the birds are indeed using the culvert ledges for their nests and that the nests are successful.

--Apr 25, 2003

Scott Marlow, (217) 782-4073 or marlowsl@dot.il.gov

Photo by Peter Wallack

Eastern phoebe

Along Roads - Illinois