Chicagoland Frogs

Wood Frog Lithobates sylvaticus = Rana sylvatica markings: medium brown/tan dark eye mask call: chirdicks, chorus – raspy quack		Call (mp3s): Wood Frog Description
Boreal Chorus Frog Pseudacris maculata (older field guides may show western chorus frogs, Pseudacris triseriata, for northern Illinois, but recent studies have revised the identity of our local species.) markings: small 3 stripes on back Black eye mask March-May call: like finger over top of comb		Call (mp3s): Boreal Chorus Frog Description
Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer markings: small X on back March-May call: high pitched “peep” chorus – sleigh bells		Call (mp3s): Spring Peeper Description
Northern Leopard Frog Lithobates pipiens = Rana pipiens markings: medium green w/dark circular spots white lateral folds unbroken call: soft course snore w/chuckle		Call (mp3s): Northern Leopard Frog Description
Plains Leopard Frog Lithobates blairi = Rana blairi markings: green w/dark spots circular spots white lateral folds broken near groin SE & Will County call: low chirks & snores		Call (mp3s): Plains Leopard Frog Description
Pickerel Frog Lithobates palustris= Rana palustris markings: cream w/square spots very rare – spring fed stream, fen or seep habitat call: ticking snore “yeow”	Picture by Lalainya Goldsberry	Call (mp3s): Pickerel Frog Description
American Toad Anaxyrus americanus (older field guides may say Bufo americanus) markings: 1-2 warts per spot large gland behind eye, unattached to bony crest, unless by a short spur call: 10-30 second melodious trill		Call (mp3s): American Toad Description
Eastern Gray Tree Frog Hyla/Dryophytes versicolor Cope’s Gray Tree Frog Hyla/Dryophytes chrysoscelis markings: lichen pattern (gray or green) light patch below eye yellow inner thighs call: Eastern – musical trill Cope’s – fast harsh trill	Cope’s Grey Tree Frog	Call (mp3s): Eastern Grey Tree Frog Description Cope’s Grey Tree Frog Description
Fowler’s Toad Anaxyrus fowleri (older field guides may say Bufo fowleri) markings: 3 or more warts in large spot large gland touches bony crest sand habitat call: distressed sheep		Call (mp3s): Fowler’s Toad Description
Cricket Frog Acris crepitans markings: small triangle patch between eyes warts very rare near Chicago area call: clanking marbles		Call (mp3s): Blanchard’s Cricket Frog Description
Green Frog Lithobates clamitans = Rana clamitans markings: large green to brown lateral folds 2/3 of body call: banjo “gung”		Call (mp3s): Green Frog Description
Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus = Rana catesbeiana markings: large green to brown lateral fold to ear call: deep “br-wum”		Call (mp3s): Bullfrog Description

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Unless otherwise noted above, all photographs were taken by Joe Cavataio and are used with permission.

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Download Windows Media Player or Apple QuickTime Player to play frog calls .mp3 audio files if your PC doesn’t play these calls.

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To download a list of frog calls, including multi-species choruses for your personal reference on your computer, mp3 player or smartphone, please click here.

Frog Calls are from the “Frogs and Toads of the Chicago Region” CD available to monitors for the Calling Frog Survey. The calls were provided by Lang Elliot, Music of Nature.