2 Types of Eagles Found in Illinois! (ID Guide)
Eagles In Illinois! have you ever seen a giant bird of prey flying high above, its massive wings gliding through the air? If you’re in Illinois, you’re in luck. The state is home to two eagle species: the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle. These birds are a sight to behold. Illinois offers many chances to see them up close.
Illinois has the largest number of wintering bald eagles in the country, besides Alaska. You can find many places to see hundreds of these eagles during the best time to watch them. From guided tours to scenic drives, there are many ways to experience these amazing raptors. Are you ready to learn more about the eagles in Illinois?
Next, we’ll explore more about these amazing birds and where to see them in Illinois.
1. Bald Eagle
- Scientific name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
- Life span: 20-30 years
- Size: (0.7 to 0.9 meters)
- Weight: (3 to 6.3 kg)
- Wingspan: (165 to 244 cm)
The bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, is the national bird of the United States. These birds are known for their amazing flying skills and strong hunting abilities. They are often seen flying high but also hunt by scavenging and stealing from other birds.
Bald eagles have a rich history. They were once on the edge of extinction in the U.S. but have made a big comeback. The ban on DDT in 1972 helped their numbers grow. Now, Illinois is home to the second-largest winter bald eagle population after Alaska, with about 3,100 eagles visiting each winter.
These birds live for 20 to 30 years and get their white head and tail feathers at about 5 years old. Their name, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, means “sea eagle with a white head.”
“Each winter, around 3,000 bald eagles fly to Illinois to make it their temporary home.”
Bald eagles are big, have strong talons, and have great eyesight. Their presence in Illinois shows the hard work of conservationists and the species’ strength.
Description and Behavior
The bald eagle is a majestic bird of prey known for its impressive physical characteristics and unique hunting behaviors. It has a wingspan of 66 to 96 inches and weighs between 6.6 to 13.8 lbs. These birds are truly awe-inspiring. Their plumage is dark brown all over, with a white head and tail, and a yellow beak.
The name “bald eagle” doesn’t mean it has no feathers on its head. It comes from the old English word “piebald,” meaning “two-colored.” These birds are famous for their hunting skills. They soar high to spot fish and then dive at speeds up to 100 mph to catch them with their sharp talons.
| Bald Eagle Physical Characteristics | Bald Eagle Behavior |
|---|---|
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Bald eagles are known for their impressive nesting habits. They often return to the same nest year after year. They also do strength-testing aerobatics to make sure their partner is a good mate and parent. These majestic birds are a true symbol of the American spirit. They show the success of conservation efforts that have helped restore their populations in Illinois and the United States.
Nesting Habits
Bald eagles are known for their impressive nesting habits. They return to where they were born to find a mate at about 4-5 years old. These birds of prey mate for life and have a beautiful courtship. It includes calls, swoops, chases, and amazing aerial moves, ending with a dance in mid-air.
Courtship and Mate Selection
The courtship is key for bald eagles. They dance to show strength, agility, and commitment. They may prepare their nest for years before breeding. If they don’t like the spot, they might start again nearby.
Nest Building and Eggs
Bald eagles build their nests in tall trees near water. It takes them two weeks to make a nest that’s 1.8 to 3 meters wide and high. The female lays one to three eggs, which are about the size of a goose egg.
Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for 34 to 35 days. After the eggs hatch, the parents care for the eaglets for 12 to 13 weeks. Getting three eaglets to fly is a big achievement, showing their great parenting.
Thanks to conservation efforts, bald eagles have made a big comeback in the U.S. Their nesting habits are now protected by laws and organizations. We must keep watching and protecting these amazing birds and their nesting habits.
Diet of the Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is an opportunistic carnivore, with fish making up over 50% of its diet. A study looked at the diets of bald eagles in 20 different places. It found that fish were 56% of their food, birds 28%, mammals 14%, and other sources just 2%.
Bald eagles hunt by soaring high over water to catch large fish. They have amazing vision, including seeing ultraviolet light. This helps them spot prey under the water. Over 100 fish species are known to be their food.
But, bald eagles don’t just eat fish. When fish are hard to find, they eat animals killed by others. Their varied diet and ability to adapt have helped them recover in recent years.
| Prey Type | Percentage of Bald Eagle Diet |
|---|---|
| Fish | 56% |
| Birds | 28% |
| Mammals | 14% |
| Other Prey | 2% |
The bald eagle’s hunting skills and varied diet have helped it recover. By understanding their diet, we see the balance in nature and their role in it.
Conservation
The bald eagle, a symbol of the United States, faced big challenges. In the 18th century, there were 300,000-500,000 of them. By the 1950s, only 412 pairs were left in the U.S.
Illegal hunting, destroying their homes, and DDT were the main reasons for this drop. In the 1920s, people thought bald eagles were a threat, killing about 70,000 of them.
DDT was especially bad for the Eagles. It made their eggs thin, causing them to break easily. This, along with other threats, made the eagle almost extinct.
But things changed in the 1970s. Laws and stopping DDT helped the eagles recover. Now, there are about 300,000 bald eagles in the U.S., a big success story.
In Illinois, the bald eagle has made a big comeback. Around Chicago, 35 nests have been found. Two are at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, and one was found in Chicago in 2004.
Conservation efforts have been a huge success. The bald eagle was taken off the endangered list in 2007. Now, it’s common to see them in Illinois and the U.S. January 10 is National Save The Eagles Day, celebrating this achievement.
Even though the bald eagle is recovering, we still need to keep protecting it. Laws like the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act help. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also has new rules to protect eagles.
We must keep working to save the bald eagle for the future. The story of its recovery shows what we can do when we work together to protect nature.
Where to See Bald Eagles in Illinois
If you want to see the majestic bald eagle in Illinois, you’re in luck. These birds love areas near water for hunting fish. Illinois has many rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, making it perfect for eagle-watching.
One great spot is Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park in Oglesby. They have lots of bald eagles, thanks to the Plum Island Eagle Sanctuary nearby. You can see them in trees or flying high.
Other top places to see bald eagles include:
- The Illinois and Michigan Canal
- Moraine Hills State Park
- Volo Bog State Natural Area
- The area near the I-88 bridge on the Fox River
- Pleasant Valley Forest Preserve
These spots also have eagle-viewing events and festivals. For example, the Great River Eagle Days in Quincy has Native American ceremonies. The Fulton-Mason Eagle Day in Havana and Lewistown, and the Kaskaskia Eagle Fest at the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam are also great for seeing eagles.
For the best eagle spotting, visit in winter. This is when you can see hundreds of eagles. With so many great places to see them, your wildlife experience will be unforgettable.
2. Golden Eagle
- Scientific name: Aquila chrysaetos
- Life span: 30 years
- Size: (83 cm)
- Weight: (2.9 to 6 kg)
- Wingspan: (180 to 230 cm)
The golden eagle is a stunning bird that flies over northern parts of the United States, Europe, and Asia. They are known for their golden-brown feathers. This is why they are called golden eagles. With the scientific name of Aquila Chrysaetos, they are symbols of strength and resilience.
In Illinois, golden eagles are not often seen because they like remote places like mountains and wide-open areas. But, in the fall, from October to December, they might be seen in eastern parts of the United States, including Illinois.
Scientific Details
Golden eagles are big birds with wings up to 7.5 feet wide and bodies 30 to 40 inches long. They can live about 30 years in the wild. They are known for holding their wings in a slight V-shape when flying, which helps tell them apart from other eagles.
| Characteristic | Golden Eagle | Bald Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aquila chrysaetos | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Plumage Color | Mostly dark golden-brown | Dark brown body, white head and tail |
| Beak Size | Smaller, more proportionate to head | Larger, about one-third the size of head |
| Habitat | Mountainous, open areas | Coastal, near water sources |
Many Native American cultures hold the golden eagle in high regard. They see it as a symbol of courage, strength, and spiritual importance. People who had golden eagle feathers were thought to be blessed by the bird.
“The golden eagle is a symbol of strength, courage, and freedom, soaring high above the land it calls home.”
Description and Behavior
The golden eagle is a stunning bird of prey found in Illinois and across the U.S. It’s known for its large size and hunting skills. This bird is truly fascinating and deserves our attention.
The golden eagle stands out with its size. It ranges from 27.6 to 33.1 inches long and weighs 6.4 to 13.2 pounds. Its wings stretch from 72 to 86 inches wide, letting it glide through the air with ease. Unlike the bald eagle, it has a golden-brown coat all over, making it look majestic.
These birds are meat-eaters, hunting small to medium-sized animals. They eat hares, rabbits, and even small seals. They hunt from high spots, waiting for their prey to come out.
When they spot prey, they swoop down with great speed and accuracy. But, they only catch about 20% of their hunts. This is because they need good weather to fly well. In bad weather, they spend most of the day resting, waiting for better flying conditions.
The golden eagle’s size and hunting skills make it an amazing bird. Seeing it in Illinois shows us the beauty of nature. Learning about these birds helps us value their place in our ecosystem and work to protect them.
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act protects these birds and their homes. Breaking this law can lead to a $100,000 fine, a year in jail, or both for the first time.
Nesting and Diet
Golden Eagles, like Bald Eagles, mate for life and have similar courtship behaviors. The male picks up a rock or stick, drops it, and catches it again. The female does the same with dirt or earth. These actions help them bond for life.
They start building their nests in April, often near cliffs. Unlike Bald Eagles, they don’t always use the same nest. They build new ones and switch between them every year.
Their nests are big, made of large sticks, and lined with soft grass and other materials. The biggest nest ever found was 20 feet high and 8.5 feet wide!
Golden Eagle’s Predatory Prowess
Unlike the Bald Eagle, the Golden Eagle mainly eats small mammals found near the ground. They eat rabbits, hares, and other small animals, making up 80% of their diet when breeding.
They have a 20% success rate in hunting, based on 115 attempts in Idaho. With a grip power of 440 pounds per square inch, they can easily catch their prey.
They use different hunting methods depending on the situation. Their diet varies greatly, from 11.2 species in the French Pyrenees to just 1.4 in Alaska. This shows how adaptable they are.
The Golden Eagle can eat prey that weighs from 10 grams to 114 kilograms. They show the power and beauty of their species through their hunting skills.
Eagles in Illinois Conservation
The bald and golden eagle populations in Illinois have faced big challenges. But thanks to conservation, they are coming back. The bald eagle was once almost gone but is now making a strong comeback. This is thanks to laws like the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the ban on DDT.
Now, Illinois is home to more bald eagles. The Will County Forest Preserve District has four active eagle nests. These nests are big, about 4 feet deep and 5 feet wide, giving the eagles a safe place to raise their young.
The U.S. now has around 72,000 nesting pairs of bald eagles, a big increase from the past. This shows how conservation efforts are working.
The golden eagle population in Illinois is stable but not growing. Conservation efforts are still protecting both species. Illinois has the most eagles in the lower 48 states during winter, only Alaska has more.
Conserving bald and golden eagles in Illinois shows the power of hard work and these birds’ strength. With ongoing monitoring, protecting their homes, and raising awareness, their future looks good.
Monitoring and Preservation Efforts
A webcam has been watching a bald eagle nest in Illinois since 2011. It lets people see the eagles’ life cycle. In 2019, the nest had three successful eaglets. But a big storm destroyed the nest in 2020, and the eagles rebuilt it in 2021.
The trio raised three eaglets in 2021 but stopped caring for the eggs in 2022. It’s not clear if they will have young this year.
Thanks to laws and conservation, bald and golden eagles are recovering in Illinois. Breaking these laws can lead to big fines or even jail. This shows how important protecting these birds is.
“The resilience of these birds is truly inspiring, and it’s our responsibility to ensure their continued protection and thriving populations in Illinois.”
We will keep focusing on bald eagle conservation illinois and golden eagle conservation illinois. These efforts will help keep these amazing birds safe for the future.
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Where to See Golden Eagles in Illinois
If you want to see the majestic Golden Eagle in Illinois, you’ll need to go to certain spots and be patient. These birds are not as common as Bald Eagles and mostly visit Illinois in the winter.
The best places to see Golden Eagles are along the Mississippi River valley, especially in the south. Look for them in tall trees or on fence posts as you drive along the river. This is where they are often seen.
Another great spot for golden eagle viewing spots illinois is the state’s wildlife refuges in the south. These places offer a good home for Golden Eagles. So, your chances of seeing one increase during the winter.
Golden Eagles don’t usually hang out in big groups. But, you might see a pair flying high or sitting in a tall tree. These birds are a sight to see, and where to see golden eagles in illinois is exciting for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
To see best places to see golden eagles illinois, visit during the winter. This is when they are more likely to be around. Look for local events and updates from conservation groups. They often have eagle-watching tours and festivals that can help you spot these amazing birds.
Remember, Golden Eagles are sensitive to people. So, keep your distance and follow the rules. With luck and careful watching, you can see these incredible birds in Illinois.
Wrapping Up…
Illinois might not be top on your list for eagle watching, but it’s home to over 3,100 wintering bald eagles. From December to March, you can see these amazing birds. January and February are the best times to spot them.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers eagle-watching events and spots across the state. These events let you get close to these incredible birds. You can see the bald eagle’s beauty at places like Pere Marquette State Park and Starved Rock State Park Lodge.
While there are fewer golden eagles in Illinois, you can find them near the Mississippi River. They do well there. Whether you love birdwatching or just want a unique outdoor adventure, seeing eagles in Illinois, bald eagle Illinois, and golden eagle Illinois is worth it. So, grab your binoculars and enjoy eagle watching in Illinois at its best.
