Bald Eagles — The Ultimate Snowbirds
Bald Eagles migrate south from Canada and make the QC their winter playground. Some even like it so much that they take up permanent residence.
From December through February, these magnificent birds gather along the wooded bluffs along the Mississippi River to spend the winter. Their presence during the winter months provide amazing Bird Watching and photo opportunities when you want to catch these birds of prey in action.
There are a variety of bald eagle spotting sites that will give you the best vantage point to view these beautiful birds of prey, including:
- Lock & Dam 15, Schwiebert Riverfront Park, 17th St. & 1st Ave., Rock Island, Illinois
- Lock & Dam 15, 101 W. 2nd St., Davenport, Iowa
- Lock & Dam 14, 25549 182nd St., Pleasant Valley, Iowa
- Sylvan Island, 101 1st Avenue, Moline, Illinois
- Hyatt Place & Hyatt House (River Room on the 9th Floor) 111 Bend Blvd., East Moline, Illinois
- Illiniwek Forest Preserve, 836 State Ave., Hampton, Illinois
- Hampton Heritage Center, 251 S. State Ave., Hampton, Illinois
- Sunset Park, 18th Ave. & Sunset Ln., Rock Island, Illinois
- Credit Island Park, 2200 W River Dr., Davenport, Iowa
- Wapsi River Environmental Education Center, 31555 52nd Ave, Dixon, Iowa
Eagle Etiquette
The bald eagles are under pressure to use as little energy as possible in order to maintain body heat. Therefore, it is important that resting eagles are not frightened to the point of flying off and burning up badly needed energy. You can help the eagle survive by not approaching them and staying close to or in your car as you watch.
Determine what you are viewing. Although the white head and tail of an adult bald eagle make it unmistakable, a juvenile eagle goes through a series of plumage changes on its way to maturity. Juvenile eagles exhibit a brownish color and do not acquire the white head and tail until they reach four or five years of age.
Be sure to bundle up! The eagles like the really cold weather.
Eagle Fun Facts
Eagles are amazing birds. They are not really bald, but develop white feathers on their heads at five years of age. Immature Bald Eagles have dark heads. A mature eagle will have a wing-span of 6 to 8 feet, has 7,000 feathers and weighs 8 to 11 pounds. Their eyesight is seven times better than humans. They could even read a newspaper a football field length away.
Up to 2,500 bald eagles winter along the Mississippi near the lock and dams. Turbulence created below the dams provide open water and a smorgasbord of stunned fish for eagles to feast upon. In addition, the wooded bluffs that overlook the Mississippi are excellent habitat for roosting and an increasing number of cases nesting. The US Army Corps of Engineers offer many Bald Eagle watching resources, including weekly counts of the birds spotted in our area.
Bald Eagle Days
Bald Eagle Days is the feature celebration on January 5-7, 2024, at the QCCA Expo Center located at 2621 4th Avenue in Rock Island, Illinois. It is the largest event in the Midwest dedicated to the United States’ national symbol of freedom.
Plan your winter trip to see these magnificent birds of prey.