Chicago Welcomes Two Bald Eagle Chicks for the First Time in Over a Century

No eagle had been born within Chicago’s city limits for over a century. This spring, Chicago District Park has announced the birth of not one, but two eaglets.

The bald eagle chicks (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) currently reside in Park 597, which comprises 10 acres of woodland in the South Deering community area. Officials say births are a sign that local ecosystem restoration efforts have been effective and are improving species diversity within the city.

“Restoring the park habitats to their natural state maximizes positive impact, making experiences like this one truly powerful,” Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO, said in a press release.

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The Births Of Two Eaglets in Chicago

Eagle-eyed observers first noted possible nesting activity in February. Since then, birders and volunteers have been watching and monitoring the site for further activity.

On April 28, 2026, their patience was rewarded — the first eaglet was spotted. The arrival of a second was announced on May 7, 2026. While it is not the first time bald eagles have attempted to nest and rear chicks in the city, it is the first time in over a hundred years that those attempts have been successful.

In light of this, Chicago District Park officials have warned that human disturbance could negatively affect the eagles and their eaglets and are discouraging people from visiting the nest site. They ask visitors to remain at a safe distance and keep to marked trails.

“We’d like it to be a regular occurrence, and for that to happen, we need the public’s cooperation to see even more wildlife thrive in our urban parks,” said Ramirez-Rosa, in the release.

A Brief History Of Bald Eagles’ Decline And Revival

These may have been the first eaglets reported in Chicago in more than 100 years, but there have been sightings of adult birds. Big Marsh Park, in particular, a 300-acre site also in the South Deering community area, has proven a popular spot for bald eagles, according to officials.

In 2024, six were reported hunting, resting, and performing territorial and mating displays in the park. Six years earlier, 12 bald eagles were spotted there in a single day.

Across the U.S., more generally, bald eagle populations have risen dramatically in recent years. It was not that long ago that the species was threatened with extinction following a sharp decline in numbers caused by habitat loss, illegal shooting, and food contamination, most notably from the insecticide DDT. Thanks to effective conservation efforts and a ban on DDT, bald eagle populations rapidly recovered, and the species was removed from the Endangered Species Act in 2007.

According to the latest figures from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, based on 2020 data, there are approximately 316,700 bald eagles and 71,400 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states. That is four times the number recorded in 2009.

As for the Windy City’s new avian residents, they are expected to remain nest-bound for the next few weeks. Chicks become fledglings and take their first flights approximately 10 to 12 weeks after hatching. However, the pair won’t develop their distinctive white head until they are four to five years old. Until then, they will maintain a golden-brown color (not dissimilar to that of the golden eagle).

In the meantime, the Chicago Park District is holding a naming competition, offering residents the chance to decide on a name for the eaglets.

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