Big birds return: QC Bald Eagle Days will be Jan. 5-7

Thousands of Quad Citians are expected to get a look at the bald eagles this weekend. They will also get a look at owls, hawks, bats and about 200 exhibits at the upcoming 2024 Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days at the QCCA Expo Center, Rock Island.

The annual event will be Friday, Jan. 5, through Sunday, Jan. 7 at the QCCA Expo Center at 2621 Fourth Ave. The Expo Center will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. 

Admission is $6 for adults, $1 for children ages 6 to 15, and free admission for children under age 6. There will be free admission for all children on Friday. 

The annual event – a celebration and educational seminar of almost all things centering around wildlife – is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Quad Cities. Also, it is the largest event in the Midwest dedicated to the United States’ national symbol of freedom. 

Some of the scheduled exhibits will be presented by Big Run Wolf Ranch, and other exhibits on bats and cold-blooded animals.

But during most years, the stars of the weekend are the big birds – especially the eagles – presented by  the World Bird Sanctuary of the St. Louis area.

Sponsors of the 2024 Bald Eagle Days include Arconic and Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial.

Here is the 2024 Bald Eagle Days schedule of events and exhibits:

• Friday, Jan. 5: 4:30 p.m. – Incredible Bats; 5:30 p.m. – Birds of Prey; and 6:30 p.m. – Big Run Wolf Ranch.  
• Saturday, Jan. 6: 10:30 a.m. – Cold-Blooded Parties; 11:30 a.m. – Birds of Prey; 12:30 p.m. – Incredible Bats; 1:30 p.m. – Big Run Wolf Ranch; 2:30 p.m. – Cold-Blooded Parties; 3:30 p.m. – Birds of Prey; 4:30 p.m. – Incredible Bats; 5:30 p.m. – Big Run Wolf Ranch; and 6:30 p.m. – Birds of Prey.
• Sunday, Jan. 7: 10:30 a.m. – Big Run Wolf Ranch; 11:30 a.m. – Cold-Blooded Parties; 12:30 p.m. – Birds of Prey; 1:30 p.m. – Big Run Wolf Ranch;  2:30 p.m. – Incredible Bats; and 3:30 p.m. – Birds of Prey.

In addition to Bald Eagle Days events, there are a variety of bald eagle spotting sites in the Quad Cities. Some of those sites include:

• Lock and Dam 15, Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island.
• Lock and Dam 15, Davenport.
• Lock and Dam 14, Pleasant Valley.
• Sylvan Island, Moline.
• Sunset Park, Rock Island.

To see a list of more local eagle-watch sites, visit here.