Bald Eagles VNP Site: Eagle Shop

Voyageurs National Park biologists counted 69 bald eagle nests in the park's boundaries on April 16 of 2009 by an aerial survey.

Adults eagles were seen incubating at 38 nests compared to 29 in 2008, 24 in 2007, 30 in 2006, 26 in 2004 and 2005, 24 in 2003, 22 in 2000 and 20 pairs in 1999.

VNP Superintendent Mike Ward said, "There has been a steady increase in eagle nesting activity within Voyageurs National Park during the past 37 breeding seasons. This trend and the annual increase in the number of young fledged within the park is good news for a healthy eagle population. Overall, we believe that by reducing the adverse potential of human/eagle interactions around our active bald eagle nesting sites we have allowed for greater nesting success. At the same time we have increased the potential to view more eagle activity for our visitors. Our specific management goal is to help ensure the continued reproductive success and sustainability of the park's bald eagle population and that strategy appears to be working well."

Since 1992, VNP has temporarily closed the land and water areas around active bald eagle nests to visitors during the eagle's critical nesting periods.

Thirteen of the park's 39 active nesting sites occupied by breeding pairs were temporarily closed to human activities. After the young left the nest by the middle of August, the temporary closures were lifted. Motorized and non-motorized watercraft users are to avoid land or water that is near the bald eagle nesting sites within about 218 yards during closure periods. People are not to stop on the water when passing near these sites that are marked with signs or buoys.

Individual eagles differ in temperament and tolerance to human and natural activities. People play a very important role in protecting nesting eagles and other birds. Some are easily displaced by human/eagle interactions, whereas others are more accustomed to close interactions with humans. Eagles may still be incubating eggs until late May, and if flushed off the nest for too long a period, the eggs will cool causing the embryos to die. May and June are particularly sensitive periods for nesting eagles.

If the Bald Eagles feel threatened, they may abandon their nesting efforts. Newly hatched eaglets are unable to regulate their body temperature and require constant attention from an adult to protect them from cold winds and rain and the hot sun. When eaglets are able to regulate their own body temperatures they are not as vulnerable when the parent is away.

Out of all the birds in the world, the American Bald Eagle has been my favorite. Seeing how they soar high effortlessly and glide in the sky, is a thrill to me. I have seen many eagles in the wild. I am happy about the increase in population in North America. - With the increase, there are other species of birds, animals and fish that are decreasing in population.

Therefore, the endangered species list may be lengthened with other birds, animals and fish... That is life on life's terms! - With every action there is a reaction ... and there will be a reaction.

I hope that more Bald Eagles are not taken into captivity or shot. The Bald Eagle is a Symbol of Freedom to the American people. - I believe they should stay free!

The Bald Eagles eyesight is believed to be six times sharper than that of humans even though they are similar but smaller. Their eyes are situated at the sides of the skull and project outward and forward so that there is an overlapping of vision, which gives the bald eagle binocular-eyesight to help them gauge distances precisely. Their eyes are large in proportion to their head. The relatively large eyes leave little space in the skull for the eye muscles and so the eye mobility is limited. Bald Eagles make up for this by rotating their heads up to a 270 degree angle. Their sharp-extraordinary eyes are their best sense. Bald Eagle can spot prey small up to a distance of hundreds of yards. Bald Eagles are capable of seeing fish in the water from several hundred feet above. They have two foveae or centers of focus, that allow the birds to see both forward and to the side at the same time.