Wildlife Promise » Bald eagle

Symbol of Success: America’s Bald Eagle and the Endangered Species Act

Doug Inkley — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:12:48 +0000

Eagle taking flight. This photo, by Robert Miller, is from the National Wildlife Photo Contest.

The most iconic of Endangered Species Act success stories is the recovery of the bald eagle, our national symbol. Magnificent in stature and beautiful to behold, the bald eagle very nearly disappeared from the lower-48 states, in contrast to an historic population of as many as 100,000.

The bald eagle has been protected for some 95 years, but continued killing was the primary cause for passage of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act in 1940. While that helped, an even bigger challenge in the mid-20^th century was the widespread use of DDT, which led to a dangerously low population of 500 or fewer bald eagle pairs in the lower-48 states by 1963. Under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, a precursor to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the bald eagle was officially declared an endangered species in 1967.

Road to Recovery

Enactment of the Endangered Species Act and the banning of DDT were both critical actions that lead to the recovery of the bald eagle. With the banning in 1972 of DDT — the cause of egg-shell thinning and breakage — the stage was set for nationwide efforts to recover the bald eagle via the Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lead extensive efforts with the National Wildlife Federation and others to facilitate recovery of the bald eagle. These efforts included captive breeding programs, reintroductions, law enforcement, and nest site protection.

The National Wildlife Federation toured the country with a captive bald eagle named Migisiwa to increase public awareness and support for recovery of bald eagles. We also posted a $1,000 award for anyone providing information leading to conviction for killing a bald eagle.

The National Wildlife Federation undertook efforts in the field to help bald eagles recover in the Chesapeake Bay. We also started the nationwide Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey in 1979 to monitor bald eagle populations, coordinating it until 1992, whereupon it was handed over to the federal government for continuation.

A bald eagle in flight. This photo, by Clinton Ferrara, is from the National Wildlife Photo Contest.

Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, the banning of DDT and the efforts of many biologists and citizens across the country, the bald eagle population reached about 10,000 pairs. In 2007 the bald eagle was officially taken off of the list of threatened and endangered species. Once again, the bald eagle thrills the hearts of those who are lucky enough to behold our national symbol soaring into the sky.

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act by learning more about Endangered Species Day and threatened wildlife in your state, and spread the word about this incredibly important legislation.

Photo of the Day: The Fish Thief

Rachel Stemen — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:54:16 +0000

Immature bald eagles fighting over a fish mid-air

Photo by Flickr member snooker2009
See more of snooker2009′s photos on Flickr >>

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Photo of the Day: Fresh Fish

Rachel Stemen — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 13:48:03 +0000

Bald eagle with its fresh catch

Photo by Flickr member Craig Leaper
See more of Craig Leaper’s photos on Flickr >>

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Photo of the Day: Flying High

Rachel Stemen — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:17:24 +0000

A bald eagle soars through the skies of Homer, Alaska after a successful fishing trip. Photo by Mike Criss.

This Photo of the Day was donated by a participant in the annual National Wildlife Photo Contest. See more photos or sign up for the 42nd Annual National Wildlife Photo Contest.

A ‘Blizzard’ of Snowy Owls

Bryn Fluharty — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:20:48 +0000

Photo by: Bryn Fluharty

Bird lovers from around the US have been given an opportunity to see a rare guest, the snowy owl. Usually held to the colder northern latitudes, these owls have been driven south by what experts assume is a shortage of lemmings in the arctic this year. With lemmings making up most of their arctic diet they have been forced to come further south to find food among the small rodents and other animals that provide a substitute to the lemming. Here in the Pacific Northwest we have been particularly lucky to get one large group of owls staying in Boundary Bay, British Columbia.

I could not pass up the opportunity to see the owls in the wild. It is an easy drive from Seattle to Boundary Bay. After crossing the border at the Peace Arch I only have a half hour more of driving before finding myself on a gravel covered dike separating the tide flats of the bay from the agricultural fields beyond. The tide flats provide habitat for a wide range of birds. Scanning the beach I see 8 eagles hunting small fish in the shallows. A great blue heron stalks its prey in the small grassy tufts of the tide flat as a trio of brilliant white swans swoop overhead.

Photo by: Bryn Fluharty

The serine quiet of the southern part of the dike is soon behind me as I approach the owl area. One of the more unique aspects is the accessibility of the owls. To my right I can see the rolling green of a golf course and hear the soft hum of planes taking off from the Boundary Bay airport, just up the road. No more than 100 feet from the parking lot there are around 30 people huddled in small groups against the cold drizzle. Giant camera lenses poke out from beneath protective tarps as photographers wait to capture that ‘perfect’ shot.

The owls for their part are ignoring most of their now constant paparazzi. Today there are around 18 of the owls sitting on the tangled mess of felled logs and old pilings, a mere 30 feet away from the trail. Snowy owls stand about 2 feet tall and have an average wingspan of around 5 feet. I am close enough to see their golden yellow eyes as they swivel their head in my direction. They range from almost pure white to a heavily speckled grey brown. There is little movement in the group. At times one will stretch a wing or turn its head to gaze inquisitively at something in the distance.

They have been here since December and are predicted to stay through March when conditions should improve enough for them to move on. With the uniqueness of this event it has been well publicized by the local media which in turn has caused crowds to flock here for easy access bird watching. This is an amazing opportunity to help connect people with nature in a way that is accessible to anyone willing to make the drive.

Photo by: Bryn Fluharty

For some however this amazing opportunity is not enough. Seeking that ‘perfect’ shot many visitors have ignored the signs, going off the path for an even closer view. These types of actions are unfortunately all too common in wildlife viewing, with people wandering off of marked trails to get closer to animals. These actions have a negative impact on the wildlife and their habitat. Stepping off of the trail can cause damage to the landscape and have a negative impact on the bird or other animal that one is trying to get a better look at. Getting too close to wildlife can also pose a threat to human health as many animals to not appreciate the infringement into their space and can harm people who are too close.

Bird watching is a wonderful way to connect with nature and there are so many different types of birds to enjoy! Learning how to identify birds and be a responsible bird watcher can help you Be Out There and enjoy the birds in your own area!

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From Yellowstone to Yosemite: My Top Ten Wildlife Encounters of 2011

Beth Pratt — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:58:13 +0000

As a child who grew up reading Ranger Rick and watching Wild Kingdom, I cherish any wildlife I encounter. I’ve been lucky enough to live in Yellowstone, where I viewed charismatic mega-fauna on a daily basis, and now live near Yosemite, where the critters aren’t as big but still really cool, but I also love seeing the tiny tadpoles swim in my backyard frog pond. This year has been filled with wonderful encounters, so as a way of saying Happy New Year, I share with you my 2011 top ten wildlife moments.

1. The remarkable life of Yellowstone wolf 495M: A friend of mine sponsored a radio collar in my name for 495M. When I lived in Yellowstone, I followed his adventures as the alpha male of Mollie’s Pack. He died this year, but had a remarkable life and got to live and die like a true wolf. Read the full story here >>

495M while tranquilized for research (Photo: Yellowstone Wolf Project)

2. Zisa, the late bison calf in Yellowstone: Most bison give birth in late April through May, but this little guy came into the world in late fall—and faced many challenges in surviving the winter so young. He hung out near my home in Yellowstone and we all rooted for him and named him Zisa, the Lakota word for orange. Against all odds he survived the winter, but once he changed color to the traditional brown he was tough to track. NWF is working to restore bison to the Great Plains of Montana-read more about this great project.

Late bison calf "Zisa" in Yellowstone (photo by Beth Pratt)

3. Pika running over my foot: On a hike to Gaylor Lakes in Yosemite, I was standing at the shore of the lake and suddenly felt something scurry over my boot. I looked down and to my delight saw a pika hurrying away over the rocks. Very cool!

The pika who ran over my foot poses for a photo. (Photo by Beth Pratt)

4. Two bald eagles in one day: I had never seen a bald eagle in the Sierra. So imagine my surprise when I encountered two in one day this winter—one perched along the bank of the Merced River and the other soaring over Tioga Pass in Yosemite.

Two bald eagles in one day in the Sierra (photo by Beth Pratt)

5. Dancing penguins on Hollywood Blvd: Although Hollywood is known for its ‘anything goes attitude,’ it’s not often you see penguins dancing in the streets. During the premiere of Happy Feet 2, I had fun dancing with colorful penguins. The National Wildlife Federation teamed up with the movie to encourage people of all ages to take the steps necessary to protect amazing wildlife species such as penguins and wild places such as Antarctica.

The joy of dancing penquins (photo by Beth Pratt)

6. Bighorn sheep in Anza-Borrego State Park: After a mere fifteen minutes upon entering Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, my friend Michelle started pointing and uttered something incomprehensible in her excitement. Finally, I made out the word “sheep” and pulled off the road as soon I could. To our delight, a herd of ewes and young lambs leapt up the rocks and gazed back at us as we stood watching their movements. Desert bighorn are rare to spot, and although the animals were once in abundance, the population in the park has decreased to less than 300.

Desert bighorn sheep in Anza-Borrego State Park (photo by Beth Pratt)

7. Black bear in Tuolumne Meadows:The road to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite opened very late this year because of what seemed like a never-ending winter. During my first trip to Tuolumne in June, this black bear wandered out of the forest. I think he was hoping the long winter would end as well.

Black bear in Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite (photo by Beth Pratt)

8. My backyard frog pond: My proudest accomplishment is being a mother to hundreds of tadpoles each year in my backyard frog pond (and in my NWF Certified Wildlife Habitatof course). I love watching the tiny frogs take their first steps out of the pond.

The life of a frog in my backyard pond (Photos by Beth Pratt)

9. Misguided frog mating in Yosemite: During a spring hike in the Gaylor Lake Basin, I spent an hour listening to the music of pacific chorus frogs and watching some “misguided” mating attempts—see the video below for the full story.

Click here to view the embedded video.

10. Ranger Rick at the Ahwahnee Hotel: During the first meeting of NWF’s California Advisory Council, we had a special visitor—Ranger Rick came to Yosemite! Also in the photo, council member Jack Laws, the talented naturalist and author of The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada.

Ranger Rick in Yosemite! With myself and Jack Laws.

Wildlife Is the Soul of Our Country

Karen Dante — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:57:37 +0000

Americans love wildlife and we want to make sure that our grandchildren and the generations to come can enjoy it, too. Not only is it part of our treasured natural heritage, wildlife also brings jobs to local communities and provide recreational opportunities for us all.

Protecting our nation’s wildlife conservation programs — including the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program, National Wildlife Refuge System, Migratory Bird program, National Forests, Endangered Species Act – is an important way to ensure that future generations can enjoy the wealth of wildlife.

Wildlife Funding Fly-In

Angela Rossman (Idaho Wildlife Federation Board of Directors), Hector Galbraith (Director, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences) and Naomi Edelson (NWF) [Photo: Karen Dante

But over the past year, wildlife conservation programs have been on the chopping block. Recognizing the immediate and critical need to demonstrate to Congress the importance of funding for conservation programs, National Wildlife Federation along with other environmental groups held a fly-in on November 1 – 3.

Sixteen local leaders and experts from around the country gathered in Washington DC to advocate for the protection of wildlife conservation programs, driving home the message that funding cuts are shortsighted and will lead to more extinctions of wildlife and job loss.

It was inspirational to observe these participants drop their work schedules and other commitments in the blink of an eye and rush to chaotic DC. It took me some time to understand their quick response and then it came to me – they truly care about wildlife.

When asked what were his reasons for attending this fly-in, George LaPointe, an active member of the Natural Resources Council of Maine Board of Directors passionately replied that it is because “wildlife is the soul of our people and our country and … it is equally important as education and human services and should be seen as such.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

My Story – Advocating on the Hill

Karen Dante (NWF), Angela Rossman (Idaho Wildlife Federation Board of Directors), Naomi Edelson (NWF) with Senator Crapo [Photo: Peter Stegner

Having worked on conservation and restoration projects while living in Boise, Idaho, I too had reason to speak with members of Congress to help increase the visibility of these programs. In speaking with Senator Crapo of Idaho about a post-fire rehabilitation project I worked on last year (reseeding the territory with native plants to increase food availability to wildlife), I was pleasantly surprised to hear he was familiar with the project and was passionate about the importance of funding for conservation programs .

While the bald eagle has been taken off the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, it is still possible without funding or with cuts to conservation programs under the Fish & Wildlife Service that the iconic American national bird could once again face endangerment or worse yet, become extinct.

Help prevent having to tell our grandchildren stories that begin with – “There once lived a beautiful bird species known as the bald eagle, which was often used as a symbol for our nation. Sadly, the species no longer exists.”

While there still remains more to do, we have not lost this battle. It is evident from this successful event that we have taken great strides in raising the profile of wildlife funding programs.

I urge you to tell your personal wildlife story to a friend, an elected official or anyone that will listen and help them understand why it’s important to conserve vital conservation programs, and as a result, protect our nation’s wildlife. An ounce pound of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take action today!

Bald Eagle Gets Mouth-to-Beak Resuscitation

Mary Burnette — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:18:04 +0000

The return of America’s iconic bird from the brink of extinction is one of our country’s best endangered species success stories. It’s heartening to know that efforts to protect the bald eagle continue, and in some cases go to heroic lengths to do so.

Patriot, an injured bald eagle in Bend, Oregon, was undergoing physical therapy when it stopped breathing while under anesthesia. Vetrenarian, Dr. Jeff Cooney, calmly came to the rescue by administering mouth-to-beak resuscitation to the bird which quickly responded. We tip our feather to Dr. Cooney for performing a truly patriotic act.

Bald eagles are one of the most recognizable birds in the United States. If you don’t remember what a bald eagles looks like, simply pull out a quarter or a dollar. An eagle is shown on the back of the quarter and holding an olive branch and arrows on the one dollar bill.

Bald eagles are large, predatory raptors. They are dark brown on the body and wings. The head and tail are bright white.

The feet and bill of bald eagles are yellow. The bill is large and hooked at the tip.

Juvenile bald eagles look very different from the adults. Young bald eagles are almost entirely brown with occasional white markings on the underside of the wings and chest. As the juvenile gets older, the bill will turn from dark brownish-black to yellow and the head and tail turn white.

Keeping common species common- preventing wildlife from becoming endangered

Helen Chmura — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:55:07 +0000

What do California’s Western Burrowing Owl, Montana’s Trumpeter Swan, and Florida’s River Otter have in common? They’re all being conserved thanks to the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program!

Burrowing owls, photo- Rob Palmer

It may be Endangered Species Day- a day to celebrate the successes of the Endangered Species Act- however it’s important to remember that the Endangered Species Act is just one of many conservation programs working to preserve our wildlife heritage. The Endangered Species Act protects some of our rarest wildlife facing the greatest risk of extinction, however it depends upon other conservation programs that keep wildlife from getting to this dangerous point.

In every state across the nation, the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program works to “keep common species common” or prevent species from becoming endangered or threatened. States use grants to conserve wildlife populations that are starting to decline and restore or expand key wildlife habitat. However, that’s not all- when states need extra help conserving endangered species, the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program is there. Grants are helping the humpback whale and successfully helped the bald eagle along its road to recovery.

The Endangered Species Act and the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program work together to keep our wildlife from becoming extinct. However, it’s hard for these programs to be successful if they don’t receive sufficient funding.

>>TAKE ACTION: Help Wildlife this Endangered Species Day!!

Tell Congress to provide robust funding for endangered species and the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program.