Eagle Days brings generations together at Missouri's largest reservoir

Eagle Days at Harry S. Truman Lake drew more than 400 visitors in 2026 and offered viewing of wild bald eagles along with live birds of prey and educational exhibits.

Eagle Days returned to Harry S. Truman Lake this winter, welcoming families and bird enthusiasts to the Visitor Center atop Kaysinger Bluff. The event features live viewing of wild bald eagles and public programs about regional wildlife. Truman Lake has supported bald eagle habitat since its completion in 1979, and the Grand Arm was an early successful nesting site after the DDT ban. The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, continues to host the long-running outreach event founded in the mid-1990s. Key details: - The 2026 event drew over 400 people, down from a record of nearly 1,000 visitors in 2024. - Volunteers and visitors used binoculars and spotting scopes to view two active bald eagle nests visible from the observatory. - Dickerson Park Zoo’s ambassador eagles, 'Phoenix' and 'Aquila,' died of illnesses associated with old age about a month before the event, leading organizers to adjust programming. - Replacement live animals included 'Suli' the turkey vulture, 'Sky' the peregrine falcon, 'Scout' the American kestrel, 'Fred' the screech owl and 'Silo' the barn owl. - Event partners included the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Master Naturalists of Cole Camp, Connie the Snake Lady, and Lincoln High School, which displayed student eagle artwork. - Kansas City District park rangers provided water safety information, including guidance about life jacket wear and hypothermia. Summary: The 2026 Eagle Days event continued a long-standing tradition of wildlife education at Truman Lake and engaged visitors with nest viewing, live birds of prey, and interactive exhibits despite lower attendance and the loss of two zoo ambassador eagles. Organizers and partners described the event as successful and intend to continue the tradition next year.