Bald Eaglets Hatch in Chicago After 100 Years

The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States. Its population fell sharply in the late 20th century because of habitat loss and pesticide use. After decades of protection, the species recovered and was taken off the U.S. endangered species list in 2007. Bald eagles are now common around Chicago — in 2018 the park district counted a dozen in Big Marsh Park in just one day. But breeding inside the city has been rare. Stephen Bell, who manages Park 597, said no record exists of bald eagles successfully hatching young in Chicago for more than 100 years.

The new nest's location tells its own story. Until 2019, Park 597 was a city water treatment plant. After the park district took over the land, workers improved the soil, planted native plants, and built habitat for frogs and lizards. These changes attracted muskrats, mice, and deer — and eventually eagles, which feed on them. For conservationists, the hatchlings show that even damaged urban land can support large predators if people work to restore it. The young eagles are expected to stay in the nest for several more weeks before they try to fly.