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Bald Eagles

January and February ideal months for viewing bald eagles in Illinois.

The bald eagle (Haliaeetusl leucocephalus) gets the name from the Old English word balde meaning white. Of approximately 60 species found in the world, the bald eagle is the only one that lives exclusively in North America. The Missouri and Illinois river areas host the second largest wintering population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states.       

Bald eagles don't get their white head until they are 4 1/2 to 5 years of age. Prior to this they are golden brown in color, causing many people to mistake them for the golden eagle.          

Female eagles are larger than males (14-15 pounds vs. 8-9 pounds), but the only true way to sex an eagle is to draw blood and check the chromosomes.          

A bald eagle's diet consists mostly of fish, and in Illinois it's primarily gizzard shad. If they can't find fish, they will eat what they can find. Eagles consume 1-2 pounds of food each day.          

Eagles mate for life, but make their journey south singly and meet at the nest to raise their family.          

The best time to see the majestic bald eagle in Illinois is in January and February when they seek open water areas for fishing. Pere Marquette State Park hosts a number of eagle programs during this period. For more information, call (618) 786-3323.  

Scott Isringhausen is the site interpreter at Pere Marquette State Park.

By: Scott Isringhausen