Tis the season for bald eagle watching: About 3,100 bald eagles come to Illinois each winter, the most in the U.S. outside Alaska. And now is the best time to catch a glimpse of them.
Why do bald eagles come to Illinois? Migrating from Canada, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, the birds enjoy the Prairie State’s warm(er) temperatures and unfrozen parts of rivers in the winter, the Tribune reported.
Where can you see bald eagles? Along the state’s waterways. Here are just a few opportunities near and far:
Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby has trolley tours in January and February and an eagle watch weekend later this month.
Mississippi River Visitor Center in Rock Island is hosting eagle watches on some Saturdays.
Oakley Lindsay Center in Quincy has a two-day event next weekend.
Pere Marquette Park Visitor’s Center in Grafton has bald eagle days through March.
Uhh, weren’t bald eagles endangered? The ban on DDT pesticides and a federal law prohibiting eagle hunting helped get the species off the list. Good news for us and them!
What to Know About Eagle Spotting
Sidney Madden
A juvenile bald eagle soars at Big Marsh Park in 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Tribune)
Share article
Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.
Urban Almanac
Meet the Critters of the Chicago River
Everyone's talking about Chonkosaurus, but the river is home to a variety of turtles, fish, birds, and mammals.
How to Stay Safe From Bird Flu
A quick guide to what bird flu is, how it’s affecting Illinois, and how Chicagoans can keep themselves and their pets safe.
5 Types of Christmas Trees You Can Get in Chicagoland
Thanksgiving is late this year, so why wait until after the holiday to put up your Christmas tree?
This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Illinois Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
Explore 10 breathtaking natural wonders in Illinois on an unforgettable road trip.
Meet Illinois’ Nocturnal Animals
Just in time for spooky season, these are the creatures that roam the night around Illinois.
Move Over, Moo Deng. Here are Chicago's Pygmy Hippos.
Their names are Banana, Pogo, and Annie, and you could visit them today at the Brookfield and Lincoln Park zoos.
Where to Peep Leaves in Illinois
October is peak fall foliage season in Illinois, which is why we're helping you plan your trips to take in all the crisp autumn colors.
The Best Chicago Birdwatching Groups
Who says you have to go birdwatching alone?
The latest in Chicago
The Latest Candidates Running For Mayor
Mayor Brandon Johnson officially launched his reelection campaign, joining a race that includes roughly a dozen other challengers.
Take This Week's Chicago News Trivia Quiz
How closely were you paying attention to this week's current events in Chicago? Test yourself in our weekly trivia quiz.
Sheep Cult Comics Celebrates Local Chicago Comic Artists
Stepping into Sheep Cult Comics, you’re surrounded by whimsical, winding caverns of cloud-like shelves, presided over by sculpted sheep h...
Your Guide To Chicago’s Comic Book Stores
I’ve compiled a list of stores where you can find the newest graphic novels, affordable used comics, or even your next favorite board gam...
Mayor Brandon Johnson Answers YOUR Tough Questions
Mayor Brandon Johnson told City Cast Chicago he’ll announce whether he’s running again Sept. 13. And that’s not all he said. We sat down...
Your Guide To Karaoke Bars in Chicago
Whether your perfect karaoke night involves performing to an entire bar or renting a room for a more intimate experience, you’ve got opti...
The Art of Karaoke
Karaoke is pretty serious business, and I want to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Your Guide to September 2026 in Chicago
A guide to things to do in Chicago in September 2026
