A baby bald eagle has hatched within Chicago city limits for the first time in more than a century.
According to AccuWeather, the eaglet emerged on April 28 in a nest at Park 597 on the city’s Southeast Side near the Calumet River, after birders and the Chicago Park District began tracking nesting activity from an adult pair in February.
Even though sightings of bald eagles in Chicago have become more common, this is the first successful hatch in the city in more than 100 years.
Park 597 and neighboring Indian Ridge Marsh make up a 163-acre habitat corridor. Since 2019, the Chicago Park District has used grant money for invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and better connections between the wetland and the Calumet River.
According to the report, the Park District is asking visitors to give the new eagle family space. People in the area are being told to keep back from the nest, stay on marked trails, and not fly drones, which are not allowed on parkland without a permit.
The hatch is also being marked with a naming contest. Chicagoans were able to submit suggestions through May 15. Three finalists will be announced on May 19, and the public will vote to choose the winning name by June 1.
Chicago Park District general superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa said the public’s actions will help shape what happens next.
“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,” he said. “Restoring park habitats to their natural state maximizes positive impact, making experiences like this one truly powerful.”
Read more from The Cool Down.
