Sangamon Sun

The Bald Eagle holds a significant place in American society as the national animal and bird of the United States. It is prominently featured on the Great Seal of the United States. National American Eagle Day, observed annually, honors this national symbol and raises awareness about protecting bald eagles. The day also promotes educational outreach and encourages efforts to restore bald eagles' natural habitats.

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

Key locations for eagle viewing in Illinois 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 excellent opportunities for eagle viewing. 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. Additionally, Pere Marquette State Park hosts the Bald Eagle Days celebration featuring eagle sightings and ranger-led observation drives.

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

Bald eagles once bordered on extinction in the lower 48 states due to regular killings stemming from perceived threats to salmon and livestock populations. The Bald Eagle Protection Act was enacted in the 1940s; however, an insecticide led to further population decline below 500 individuals nationwide by that time.

Following DDT's ban in North America during the early 1970s recovery programs began to prosper significantly aiding conservation efforts towards habitat restoration banning harmful chemicals promoting awareness education protection monitoring efforts contributing towards adaptability measures taken up since then led eventually resulted removing them off endangered species list by 2007 marking significant milestone achieved through collaborative efforts among conservationists wildlife agencies citizens alike