Lake County Gazette

The Bald Eagle holds a significant place in American society, being the national animal and bird of the United States, and is prominently featured on the Great Seal of the United States. National American Eagle Day honors this symbol and raises awareness for protecting bald eagles. It also promotes educational outreach and encourages the recovery of their natural environments.

Illinois has seen a growing eagle population, with over 3,100 bald eagles spending the winter in more than 27 counties. Eagles are typically seen in Illinois from December to March during their northward migration. The best times to view bald eagles in Illinois are January and February. Only Alaska hosts more wintering American bald eagles than Illinois.

Prime viewing locations include Plum Island near Starved Rock State Park on the Illinois River west of Ottawa, and Banner Marsh located 25 miles southwest of Peoria. Other popular spots are along the Illinois, Des Plaines, Fox, DuPage, and Chicago rivers; as well as the Illinois and Michigan Canal, Moraine Hills State Park, Volo Bog State Natural Area, and Pleasant Valley Forest Preserve.

The southwestern part of Illinois near St. Louis also offers prime bald eagle viewing opportunities. In early January this year, an Eagle Fest was held in Alton. Areas between Alton and Grafton along the Mississippi River serve as prime nesting areas for bald eagles. The Bald Eagle Days celebration at Pere Marquette State Park offers eagle-sighting options and ranger-led observation drives.

Illinois is home to two main eagle species – the bald eagle and golden eagle. Bald eagles have a large yellow bill and primarily eat fish. They are found throughout the state with the largest population along the Mississippi River. Golden eagles are very large and brown with a white band on their tail; they prey on mammals such as squirrels and rabbits, along with birds. Although rarer in Illinois, golden eagles can be spotted along the Mississippi River and Chicago lakefront.

Historically, bald eagles bordered on extinction in the lower 48 states due to regular killings driven by perceived threats to salmon and livestock populations. The Bald Eagle Protection Act was enacted in the 1940s but did not prevent further decline caused by insecticides that reduced their numbers to under 500 individuals. The banning of DDT in the early 1970s allowed recovery programs to succeed.

The Endangered Species Act of 1967 played a crucial role in aiding the comeback of bald eagles through conservation efforts including habitat restoration, bans on harmful chemicals like DDT, public awareness campaigns, protection measures, monitoring initiatives, and leveraging their adaptability. By 2007, these efforts culminated in removing bald eagles from the Endangered Species List.