Eagle Days

Look up in the sky! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s a majestic, flying eagle! Join us for Little Acorns: Regal Eagles to come learn all about the amazing bald eagles we get to see in our state today and why they’re such a mighty symbol. Participants will also make a fun craft to take home! Recommend for ages 3-7.

We're celebrating the annual return of bald eagles to Lake Springfield. This special event includes live birds of prey from Dickerson Park Zoo. Programs will be held at the Nature Center at 10 am, 11 am, and 12 noon. Opportunities to view bald eagles in the wild, with the assistance of volunteers and spotting scopes, will be available at the Lake Springfield Boathouse from 9 am - 4 pm. All ages. No registration required.

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is a great place to view bald eagles during the cold winter months. Enjoy a driving exploration of the area as we look for these majestic birds along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers with binoculars and spotting scopes.

Meet at the visitor center to learn some interesting facts about bald eagles before we begin our search. We will take a short walk and spend time outside of the vehicles, so please remember to dress warmly!

Please register each participant individually.

The American bald eagle is one of Missouri's favorite conservation success stories. Join us, virtually, for a presentation by Janet Haslerig, Missouri Department of Conservation's Avian Ecologist. Janet will discuss the history, recovery efforts, and status of the bald eagle in our state. A program link will be e-mailed to you the day before and an hour before the presentation begins. Registration required. All ages.

During the winter months Missouri holds one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the lower 48. Join us for a discovery table learning about our national bird since 1782 and what makes them so special to see this time of year and learning about some upcoming events where you can go and see live bald eagles near you!

This virtual program will explain the natural history of eagles and introduce students to specialized eagle adaptations with special guests from the World Bird Sanctuary. This program is designed for students in 3rd-8th grade.

Please register directly through the WebEx portal:

https://mdc.webex.com/webappng/sites/mdc/webinar/webinarSeries/register/fce6861c9a604fa3aa52bb9459cfb360

Programs will be the same both days, and will not be recorded.

This virtual program will explain the natural history of eagles and introduce students to specialized eagle adaptations with special guests from the World Bird Sanctuary. This program is designed for students in 3rd-8th grade.

Please register directly through the WebEx portal:

https://mdc.webex.com/webappng/sites/mdc/webinar/webinarSeries/register/fce6861c9a604fa3aa52bb9459cfb360

Programs will be the same both days, and will not be recorded.

We're celebrating the return of bald eagles to Mingo NWR, Duck Creek CA, and Wappapello Lake. This special event includes the indoor live bald eagle shows from our friends at the World Bird Sanctuary. Programs will be held at the Puxico Activity Center (FEMA building) at 9:00AM, 10:30AM, 12:30PM, and a special show at 2:00PM. Opportunities to view bald eagles in the wild, with the assistance of volunteers and spotting scopes, will be available from 8:00AM - 4:00PM at the Visitor Center at Wappapello Lake, 2 locations on Mingo NWR and 1 location at Duck Creek CA during event hours. Mingo Visitors Center will have presentations on the restoration project that took place on the refuge.

All ages are welcome. Participation is FREE! Registration is not required. However, eagle shows have a capacity of 400 people and will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

Feeling chilly on the trails? Warm up inside with a conservation matinee! Bald Eagles were effectively extinct in Missouri in the early 1960’s. But hard work and dedication helped bring them back. It’s a success we celebrate each winter in Missouri at Eagle Days events around the state. And for more than 25 years, one of the main attractions is an appearance by one of the original birds involved in the restoration process... Phoenix. Join us for this 11 minute 14 second film produced by the Missouri Department of Conservation. This video will be shown twice within the half hour, with informative publications and biofacts on our auditorium table next to the entry door.

Eagle lovers of all ages are invited to the Audubon Center at Riverlands in West Alton on February 7, 2026. No advance registration is required.

Visitors are welcome to view eagles through spotting scopes staffed by trained volunteers, and explore activities related to bald eagles. The World Bird Sanctuary will be providing live Bald Eagle programs and chances to see Bald Eagles up close throughout the day.

Eagle presentations will be held at: 9:15 AM; 10:00 AM; 10:45 AM; 11:30 AM; 12:30 PM; and 1:15 PM. These eagle presentations have a capacity of 150 people and will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

Did you know the Mississippi River hosts one of North America’s largest concentrations of bald eagles? They are drawn to areas of open water in search of fish, their preferred food. The colder the weather, the better the chances of seeing them fish, ride ice floes, soar overhead and roost in nearby trees!