It’s an Eaglet, Or 2! Chicago Celebrates First Bald Eagles Born in City in More Than 100 Years

Patty Wetli | May 7, 2026, 5:19 pm

Chicago’s first eaglet in more than 100 years, seen poking out of its nest on the Southeast Side. (Chicago Park District)

Chicago’s piping plovers have some competition for attention.

For the first time in more than 100 years, a bald eagle has been born inside the city’s limits, the Chicago Park District egg-statically announced Wednesday.

Volunteers and birders had been monitoring an eagle nest at Park 597 since February, and on April 28, a chick reared its head, the Park District said.

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Then on Thursday, the district shared more good news: “Something un-beak-lievable just happened! Our staff has confirmed the sighting of a second eaglet at the same nest in our Southeast Side park.”

People are being asked to keep away from the nesting site to avoid disturbing the eagles. The Park District noted that drones are not permitted on parkland without a permit.

Park 597, also known as SEPA Station #1, is tucked along the Calumet River. It occupies roughly 10 acres of land leased by the Park District from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, specifically to create more natural habitat on Chicago’s heavily industrialized Southeast Side.

Turf grass was removed and replaced with native plants, and a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources funded the removal and control of invasive species.

“Restoring park habitats to their natural state maximizes positive impact, making experiences like this one truly powerful,” Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa said of the eaglet’s arrival.

Eagles have attempted to nest and rear chicks in Chicago before but haven’t been successful. Until now.

“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," Ramirez-Rosa said.

Bald eagle pairs usually raise one to three chicks per nest. Eaglets typically take their first tentative flight 10 to 12 weeks after hatching.

One way the public can celebrate this milestone: Enter the Park District’s “Name the Eaglet” contest. Submissions are being accepted online through May 15. Park District Natural Resources staff members and representatives from local birding organizations will narrow down the entries to three finalists, which will be revealed May 19 and put up for a public vote.

Note: This article originally published May 6. It has been updated with new information.