BirdAnalyst
Species · Illinois · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGeneralists

Bald Eagle in Illinois has surged: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 2002.

18×Since 2002
49Routes In State
21Years

Notable Bald Eagle Trends in Illinois

long arc increasecomputed index

Bald Eagle has surged in Illinois: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 2002.

Bald Eagle Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Bald Eagle in Illinois is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.21 (95% range 0.14–0.28). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±35.9%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+6%Change by 2029
0.21Projected 2029 index
0.14–0.2895% range
±35.9%Backtest error
20002029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.180.110.25
20260.190.120.26
20270.200.130.27
20280.200.130.27
20290.210.140.28

Bald Eagle Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Bald Eagle in Illinois.
Belleview320242021
Beaverdam Lk320222018
Guilford220232021
Minonk220222019
Beaucoup220222014
Pulaski220222000
Camp Point220232018
Cherry Val 2220132013
Atkinson120242024
Geneseo120182009
Payson120242008
Sheffield120242024
Newark120222014
Gulfport120232023
Williamsfld120242019
Bartonville120162016
Fairbury120242022
Dailey120162016
Rosamond120242024
Janesville120232023
Bradbury120242024
Humboldt120242024
Lake Galena120192018
Lake Summerset120162014
Mascoutah Lk120242022

Bald Eagle Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.