Bald Eagles Hatch in Chicago Park for First Time in Over a Century

Chicago has witnessed a rare and exciting development: the hatching of two bald eagle chicks in a park, marking the city’s first recorded successful wild breeding of the birds in over 100 years.

City officials from the Chicago Park District revealed that bird-watchers began reporting nesting activity in February at Park 597, located along the Calumet River on the Southeast Side. The first eaglet made its appearance on April 28, followed by the confirmation of a second chick on May 7. Irene Tostado, a spokesperson for the park district, noted that the eaglets appear to be two to three weeks old.

Pat Pearson and her husband Steve were the first to discover the remarkable sight. Steve Pearson shared how overwhelmed they felt at seeing the eagles in Chicago. “We started looking around, and this little fuzzy head sticks up with a big beak. Patty broke into tears, and I started crying. It was the wonder and awe of seeing these eagles right here with a baby,” he said.

Bald eagles suffered significant population declines due to habitat loss and food contamination. They have made a comeback over the past 40 years, officially removed from the federal endangered species list in 2007.

While bald eagles are not uncommon in the area, Stephen Bell from Park 597 mentioned there was no prior record of successful eaglet hatching in Chicago for over 100 years. Park 597, once a water treatment plant site, has undergone restoration since the park district took over in 2019. Bell detailed how soil improvements and enhanced habitats have attracted various wildlife, including muskrats and deer, alongside the eagles.

Pat Pearson commended Chicago and the park district’s efforts. “Neither organization could have done it alone, but together, they have managed to transform what was once considered irredeemable land,” she stated.

This article was reported from Madison, Wisconsin, with contributions from Associated Press photographer Erin Hooley.