Where to Spot a Bald Eagle in Illinois

Why are birders flocking to Illinois in January? It’s prime bald eagle–watching season.

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 a few opportunities near and far:

• 🦅 Starved Rock State Park 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.

Uh, Weren’t Bald Eagles Endangered?

A ban on DDT pesticides and a federal law prohibiting eagle hunting helped get the species off the list. Good news for us and them!