Quad Cities - Each year from mid-December through February, the Quad Cities area serves as host to a large majority of bald eagles making their annual southern migration from Canada to the unfrozen waters of the Mississippi River. The Quad Cities celebrates over 40 years of bald eagle education in the area.

Residents and visitors alike look to the skies to watch the eagles, easily identified by the white feathers of their heads and tails and their immense wingspans. A symbol of freedom and strength, and once on the brink of extinction, the bald eagles regularly awe visitors who line the banks of the Mississippi River on crisp, clear winter mornings.

Just down the river from Locks and Dams 14 and 15, these magnificent birds of prey gather along the wooded bluffs to spend the winter in the Quad Cities. The waters of the river remain unfrozen, fish is plentiful and old-growth forests provide prime sites for perching and roosting.

The Quad Cities celebrates these transient residents each winter with a series of events, tours and eagle watching opportunities.

Bald Eagle Days is the feature celebration on January 9-11, 2015, 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. Hours: Friday 4-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for kids.

Thousands of residents and visitors turn out for the annual event which includes: live eagle programs and live bird of prey demonstrations. Pella Wildlife Company has programs showing their wolves, and Niabi Zoo has programs with their exotic animals. There are over 100 display booths, and there is a 20-foot climbing tower. Visit the spotting scopes set up and manned by the Quad City Audubon Society at Sunset Marina in Rock Island for a great eagle watching opportunity with free shuttle bus service from the Expo Center. www.qccaexpocenter.com

The Mississippi River Visitor Center on Arsenal Island, between Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois, offers free eagle watches and Clock Tower tours every weekend on Saturdays on January 3, 24, 31 and February 7 at 9:30-11:00 a.m. and 2:00-3:30 p.m. For required reservations, call 309-794-5338. www.missriver.org

There are also prime viewing locations in the area. The best spots are Lock and Dam 14 at Pleasant Valley, Iowa, and Hampton, Illinois. The Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois, riverfronts down river from Lock and Dam 15 offer frequent sightings. In addition, Sunset Park in Rock Island and Credit Island in Davenport also serve as prime viewing areas.

If you would like a guided tour, Quad Cities' naturalist Bob Motz offers professional 2 to 3 hour bald eagle watching tours. He guarantees eagle sightings to tour groups and offers a refund should his tour fail to produce any sightings. He has yet to refund money to his clients. Mr. Motz can be reached at 309-269-3922.

The bald eagles seen in the Quad Cities are growing in number. In 2007, the eagle was removed from the list of threatened and endangered species.

If you're planning a visit, the area offers a variety of accommodations in all price ranges. Other winter activities include: three casinos; shopping in historical districts like the Village of East Davenport; tours of the historic John Deere mansions; historical interests at the Rock Island Arsenal Island; the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse; nightlife excitement in The Downtown Rock Island Arts and Entertainment District; exhibits at the Putnam Museum and Figge Art Museum in Davenport; and Family Museum in Bettendorf.

If you like the outdoors, the area offers downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and winter hiking at any one of the area's large forest preserves or parks. Discover these and many more marvels on the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities. Contact the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-747-7800 or visit their website at www.visitquadcities.com.

The Quad Cities is located on the Mississippi River and is made up of the riverfront cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. The area is just a 2-½ hour drive from Des Moines, Iowa, and Chicago, Illinois. It is easily accessible via I-80, I-74, I-88 and several major state highways.

QCCA Expo Center Media Contact: Rob Junker, 309-788-2543 or rjunker@qccaexpocenter.com

Mississippi River Visitor Center Media Contact: LouAnn McCracken, 309-794-5338 or LouAnn.Mccracken@usace.army.mil

Photos & Media Trips: For High-res photos or for information about media tours, please contact Jessica Waytenick at the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-747-7800 Ext. 827 or jwaytenick@visitquadcities.com.