What: The U.S. national bird (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) bounced back vigorously from endangered status in its wide North American range once DDT use was restricted in 1972. The resurgence includes Colorado, where the fish-eating birds tend to winter in groups, with a pair occasionally sticking around in the spring and summer to nest and reproduce. That’s the case for a pair of eagles at where naturalists report that the couple appears to be preparing to raise another clutch of nestlings. Hatching time should be about the end of this month.
What’s cool: Here is just Wingspan 6 to 8 feet. Lifespan up to 28 years in the wild. Believed to mate for life. Largest known nest was 9½ feet wide and weighed 2 tons. Newly hatched eagles weigh ¼ pound — but will reach eight times that weight in their first week to two weeks on a diet of fish and prairie dogs. The fledglings don’t achieve the iconic white head and neck feathers until they’re 4 to 6 years old. Their name classifies them as one of the “sea eagles” who are fish eaters — but it was their propensity to chase other predators off and steal their kills that made Benjamin Franklin want to nix them as the national bird.
See them here: While there are many places to see bald eagles all over Colorado, Barr Lake State Park in Brighton is one of the most well-known. Volunteers from the Bald Eagle Watch have kept an eye on eagles there since 1988. The best viewing of the eagle pair’s nest is from the Barr Lake Gazebo, a 1.3-mile walk from the Nature Center into the wildlife refuge. The Nature Center will even lend you binoculars, but asks that you stay on the trails and leave pets at home. (You’ll need a state parks pass on your vehicle to enter the park). And on March 18, a naturalist will lead a bald eagle hike starting at 11 a.m. from the Nature Center.
More info:parks.state.co.us/Parks/BarrLake or rmbo.org. Or view eagles nesting on the St. Vrain Eagle cam at Sources: Colorado Parks and Wildlife; nationalgeographic.com
