In 1967 the bald eagle was in jeopardy of extinction because of hunting, DDT, and habitat loss. Conservation efforts are now paying off; their numbers are increasing significantly. In fact, in August of 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the Federal threatened and endangered list entirely! According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there were an estimated 12,000 breeding pairs in 2008 in the lower 48 states, up from an all time low of 417 pairs in 1963. While no longer endangered, the bald eagle is still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Possession of an eagle feather or other body parts carries severe penalties.
In Colorado, there were more than 100 breeding pairs in 2008! You can watch their daily activities, February through May, with a live “eagle cam” at http://birdcam.xcelenergy.com/eagle.html.
Most of Colorado’s bald eagles arrive here in late October from their northern, summer nesting sites and stay through March. The best places to see eagles during the winter are near tree-lined, fish-filled rivers and lakes. Also, watch for eagles carrying branches and starting "false nests" in the early spring. While most are unlikely to actually nest in Colorado, this display is thought to be a form of pair bonding for the breeding season to come.
Bald eagles younger than four years old don’t have the distinctive white heads and tails, which signify breeding age. Bald eagle pairs mate for life and may use the same nesting sites year after year. Over time, the birds amass a huge platform of sticks that can weigh up to two tons!
So why do so many eagles migrate through Colorado? It’s simple. The state’s relatively mild winters and trout-stocked waters are an open invitation to this fish-eating bird.