Bald Eagle Hatchlings Spotted in Chicago Park

Two bald eagle hatchlings have been observed in a nest in a Chicago park, marking what officials believe to be the first successful wild breeding of these raptors in Chicago in over a century.

Chicago Park District officials revealed that bird-watchers spotted nesting activities beginning in February at Park 597 along the Calumet River on the city’s Southeast Side. The first eaglet was seen on April 28, while the second was confirmed on May 7. Park District spokesperson Irene Tostado mentioned that the eaglets seem to be two to three weeks old.

Pat Pearson and her husband, Steve, discovered the first eaglet. Steve Pearson described their emotional moment: “We started looking around, and lo and behold, this little fuzzy head sticks up with a big beak and we were just ecstatic. Patty actually broke into tears. I started crying. It was really very touching, because we had this kind of instinct, I think, just the wonder and the awe of seeing these eagles right here in Chicago with a baby. It was really overwhelming.”

The bald eagle population suffered due to habitat degradation and insecticide contamination in the latter half of the 20th century. However, the species has rebounded significantly over the last 40 years. Removed from the federal endangered species list in 2007, the bald eagle, which serves as the U.S. national bird, is no longer rare in the Chicago area.

In 2018, the park district recorded a dozen bald eagles in Big Marsh Park’s restored wetlands in a single day. Stephen Bell, head of Park 597, noted that his team has not found any record of successful eagle hatchings in Chicago in over 100 years.

Park 597 was formerly a city water treatment facility, but the park district took control of the area in 2019, undertaking initiatives to restore the natural habitat. Improvements to the soil, vegetation, and habitat for amphibians and reptiles have attracted various wildlife, including muskrats, mice, deer, and eagles.

Pat Pearson emphasized the impact of joint efforts: “Give Mother Nature a chance and you’d be surprised what she can do with just a little bit of help from like the park district and the city of Chicago. Neither one of the organizations could have done it themselves, but between the two of them, it’s shocking what can happen to land in areas that you think are just absolutely unredeemable.”

Richmond reported from Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press photographer Erin Hooley contributed.