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America’s bald eagle population continues to soar

fws.gov

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Re: America’s bald eagle population continues to soar

#13
The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN has several eagles which were injured now live there.

Definitely worth the trip to stand within 10ft of several Eagles, and there are usually plenty of wild eagles within sight of there as well.

https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org

Re: America’s bald eagle population continues to soar

#14
I just moved back to Arkansas after being in California for 20 years. Here's a picture a local took along AR highway 59. 7 bald eagles hanging out.

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/155912289_4304...

I have some good shots of one eating breakfast behind my house as well. Kind of gory though.

Re: America’s bald eagle population continues to soar

#15

I find it amusing the article had to clarify the lower 48 states. In the majority of the United States bald eagles are a rare and majestic sight. In Alaska they are on par with seagulls.

"According to scientists from the Service’s Migratory Bird Program, the bald eagle population climbed to an estimated 316,700 individual bald eagles in the lower 48 states."

Alaska Department of Fish and Game[1]:

"Found only in North America, bald eagles are more abundant in Alaska than anywhere else in the United States. The Alaska population is estimated at 30,000 birds."

So you think they bent over backwards, and dishonestly at that, for a 10% change in reported count?

Also, "on par with seagulls"?

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[1] http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=baldeagle.main

Re: America’s bald eagle population continues to soar

#16
post #14

I just moved back to Arkansas after being in California for 20 years. Here's a picture a local took along AR highway 59. 7 bald eagles hanging out. https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/155912289_4304... I have some good shots of one eating breakfast behind my house as well. Kind of gory though.

so much freedom!

Re: America’s bald eagle population continues to soar

#17

I find it amusing the article had to clarify the lower 48 states. In the majority of the United States bald eagles are a rare and majestic sight. In Alaska they are on par with seagulls.

"According to scientists from the Service’s Migratory Bird Program, the bald eagle population climbed to an estimated 316,700 individual bald eagles in the lower 48 states." Alaska Department of Fish and Game[1]: "Found only in North America, bald eagles are more abundant in Alaska than anywhere else in the United States. The Alaska population is estimated at 30,000 birds." So you think they bent over backwards, and…

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Re: America’s bald eagle population continues to soar

#18

Bald Eagles are HUGE. You don't realize it until one drops out of a tree near you and flies off. Either that or you see them feeding on road kill deer.

I get fly-bys from bald eagles in the traffic pattern at an airport I frequent. Even from the cockpit they look enormous. Definitely don’t want one of those monsters to wind up on a leading edge.

Incidentally it’s interesting how many raptors seem to like hanging around in airport traffic patterns. I realize there’s a bit of a selection bias here, but I do work at similar altitudes away from airports and sightings aren’t nearly as common out in the field. I like to think they’re reminding the metal birds who’s boss.

Re: America’s bald eagle population continues to soar

#19

Bald Eagles are HUGE. You don't realize it until one drops out of a tree near you and flies off. Either that or you see them feeding on road kill deer.

Wait til you see Golden Eagles :) We have a mating pair of Balds and it is fun to watch their young get bigger and then take off. Every year around the same time, we have a giant Golden that cruises around the lake and forest. The first time I saw it, I couldn't believe how big it was. Like, over a 7ft wingspan. I realize Balds are close, but this Golden one is a monster.

Re: America’s bald eagle population continues to soar

#20

I find it amusing the article had to clarify the lower 48 states. In the majority of the United States bald eagles are a rare and majestic sight. In Alaska they are on par with seagulls.

Oh yeah. Very majestic birds, until you see a dozen of 'em squabbling over prime spots on the village garbage scow. Alaska is on an entirely different level.
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