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Tag: bald eagle

  • WATCH: More than 1,000 bald eagles converge at wildlife refuge

    WATCH: More than 1,000 bald eagles converge at wildlife refuge north of Kansas City

    There gonna be any birds here today? We’re at Les Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge. Oh my gosh, that is so good. On New Year’s Eve I think it was I saw where they had *** record number of eagles. Made about *** 7 hour drive up here and try to get that moon just to the side. I’ve never been here before, but I had some friends that had. The eagles we came here to photograph the eagles and when I pulled into the refuge, I just, I couldn’t, I had to catch my breath. I couldn’t believe how many eagles I was seeing. Oh it’s, it’s awesome. There’s no other place you get to see this many eagles. It’s really neat to be able to see this. The state of Missouri itself is known as one of the most well known states for wintering eagles, and we’ve been seeing an increase in eagles now for years. Our previous record was set on January 3, I believe, 2022, and we had 833 bald eagles in the refuge. Just this past week, we set *** new bald eagle record of 1,012 bald eagles here in the refuge. I’ve never seen this many eagles in one place. All the ones that we’re seeing, uh, that don’t have any white on them are immature bald eagles. As they start to get into that 3 to 44 to 5, you start to see, um, white coloration start to show through on tail feathers and the heads. By the time they’re 5 years old, they usually have *** full white head, white tail, and they’re of breeding age. I’m just blown away by it. Uh, they’re used to people, I suppose they don’t seem to mind us at all, just like right here, those are extremely close. Uh, with my big lens, I can basically just see his head. Uh, they’re, they’re calm, they’re, they’re enjoying their life. I would just encourage folks to come visit. I mean this is *** phenomenal resource for the public. Um, I’m honored to be able to manage, uh, this resource. You can’t beat stepping out here in the refuge and seeing 1000 eagles and uh and what nature has to offer here in northwest Missouri. There’s not *** better place right now that I know of anywhere around here to to see eagles.

    WATCH: More than 1,000 bald eagles converge at wildlife refuge north of Kansas City

    Updated: 6:32 AM EST Jan 10, 2026

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Less than 100 miles north of Kansas City is a yearly spectacle — the annual bald eagle migration at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge.”We’ve been seeing an increase in eagles now for years,” said William Kutosky, wildlife refuge manager. Missouri is one of the best-known states for wintering eagles, and 2025-2026 is proving no exception. Loess Bluffs celebrated a new bald eagle record at the refuge just last week. “Our previous record was set on January 3, 2022, and we had 833 bald eagles here,” Kutosky said. “This past week, we set a new bald eagle record.”On Dec. 30, wildlife experts observed 1,012 bald eagles at Loess Bluffs. “I’ve never seen this many eagles in one place,” said Jim Belote.Belote drove in from Conway, Arkansas, to see the migration. “I would just encourage folks to come visit,” Kutosky said. “This is a phenomenal resource for the public.”

    Less than 100 miles north of Kansas City is a yearly spectacle — the annual bald eagle migration at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge.

    “We’ve been seeing an increase in eagles now for years,” said William Kutosky, wildlife refuge manager.

    Missouri is one of the best-known states for wintering eagles, and 2025-2026 is proving no exception. Loess Bluffs celebrated a new bald eagle record at the refuge just last week.

    “Our previous record was set on January 3, 2022, and we had 833 bald eagles here,” Kutosky said. “This past week, we set a new bald eagle record.”

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    On Dec. 30, wildlife experts observed 1,012 bald eagles at Loess Bluffs.

    “I’ve never seen this many eagles in one place,” said Jim Belote.

    Belote drove in from Conway, Arkansas, to see the migration.

    “I would just encourage folks to come visit,” Kutosky said. “This is a phenomenal resource for the public.”

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  • Why bald eagles may hold clues in bird flu fight

    A spike in wild bird flu cases across Iowa has researchers watching migration patterns, testing carcasses, and swabbing beaks daily at the State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Ames. Since 2022, more than 30 million poultry and wild birds have died from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Iowa.As the virus settles into a fall-and-winter cycle, one species is drawing particular interest from scientists: the bald eagle. Despite frequently scavenging infected carcasses, adult bald eagles appear to be surviving at higher rates than many other birds. Researchers believe understanding why could help unlock new insights into the disease.Hearst sister station KCCI spoke with Rachel Ruden, the state wildlife veterinarian for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, about what’s driving the latest outbreak — and why the nation’s symbol may be key to understanding it.Q: What are researchers seeing with bird flu in Iowa right now?Ruden: We had a spike back in September. We saw Dubuque impacted heavily and parts of central and north central Iowa, then things went quiet through October and November. After the first week of December, we started getting reports of sick and dead geese again. What’s interesting is southern Iowa has been impacted pretty heavily. In the past, south of I-80, we really didn’t see mass mortality events related to HPAI.Q: How has bird flu changed since it first appeared in Iowa?Ruden: We were first impacted with highly pathogenic avian influenza in March of 2022. Prior to that, it was not a virus that circulated in our wild bird population in North America or South America. It was in other parts of the world.In March of 2022, it arrived during spring migration — a vulnerable time in terms of birds nesting and producing young. Now we’ve really seen it transition into this fall and winter pattern, oftentimes late fall into winter. Q: Which species are being hit the hardest?Ruden: The animals that have been impacted have primarily been Canada geese. They’re a numerous winter resident. They also do their fall migration in mid-December. So those birds bring virus from other parts and they flyway.Other things that we see very commonly are red tail hawks because these are raptors, a bird that is likely scavenging on carcasses of dead geese. That is also why there is public concern about bald eagles. Q: Many people worry about bald eagles scavenging dead geese. What are you finding?Ruden: I have been testing bald eagles since late 2024. Evidence shows that they’ve been exposed and actually survived that exposure. In adult bald eagles, 70% have had antibodies. That’s a good indicator of resilience in that population. Q: Why are bald eagles so important to this research?Ruden: We can learn a lot and maybe leverage that for therapeutics. That disparity in deaths amongst raptor species that might be scavenging on the same sick birds … if one tends to die and one tends to live, that’s interesting, so I would love to push that further.Q: Does that mean bald eagles are immune to bird flu?Ruden: We’ve seen hatch-year eagles — younger birds — that are more vulnerable, similar to what we see in young swans or other juvenile birds. But adult eagles appear to have a much higher survival rate.Q: How does this affect Iowa’s poultry industry?Ruden: Iowa leads the country in egg and poultry production, so there’s always concern. Early in the outbreak, the impact was significant. But improved biosecurity and better surveillance have made a big difference. This season, only two poultry sites have been affected so far, even with widespread bird flu activity in wild birds.Q: What should people do if they find a sick or dead bird?Ruden: The best step is to contact your county conservation department or a local wildlife professional. They’ll decide whether testing is needed and notify our lab if it could help research. If a dead bird is on private property, people can safely remove it using disposable gloves and double-bagging it before placing it in the trash.Q: Is bird flu a concern for human health?Ruden: Human cases in the U.S. have primarily been linked to poultry or dairy workers with close, prolonged exposure. There’s no known transmission from wild birds to humans in casual encounters. Still, people should avoid handling sick birds and use basic precautions if removing a dead one.Q: What’s next for bird flu research in Iowa?Ruden: We’re still learning. Bird flu is now a global phenomenon, and there’s always a risk of reintroduction. The goal moving forward is to use what we’re observing — especially species that survive exposure, like bald eagles — to guide future research. That takes time and funding, but every test helps us better understand what we’re dealing with.As outbreaks continue to shape Iowa’s wildlife landscape, researchers say one thing is clear: bird flu is no longer a one-time event, but a recurring reality — and the answers may be soaring overhead.

    A spike in wild bird flu cases across Iowa has researchers watching migration patterns, testing carcasses, and swabbing beaks daily at the State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Ames. Since 2022, more than 30 million poultry and wild birds have died from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Iowa.

    As the virus settles into a fall-and-winter cycle, one species is drawing particular interest from scientists: the bald eagle. Despite frequently scavenging infected carcasses, adult bald eagles appear to be surviving at higher rates than many other birds. Researchers believe understanding why could help unlock new insights into the disease.

    Hearst sister station KCCI spoke with Rachel Ruden, the state wildlife veterinarian for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, about what’s driving the latest outbreak — and why the nation’s symbol may be key to understanding it.

    Q: What are researchers seeing with bird flu in Iowa right now?

    Ruden: We had a spike back in September. We saw Dubuque impacted heavily and parts of central and north central Iowa, then things went quiet through October and November. After the first week of December, we started getting reports of sick and dead geese again. What’s interesting is southern Iowa has been impacted pretty heavily. In the past, south of I-80, we really didn’t see mass mortality events related to HPAI.

    Q: How has bird flu changed since it first appeared in Iowa?

    Ruden: We were first impacted with highly pathogenic avian influenza in March of 2022. Prior to that, it was not a virus that circulated in our wild bird population in North America or South America. It was in other parts of the world.

    Mark Vancleave

    Angel, a 26-year-old bald eagle from Wisconsin that was too gravely injured to be returned to the wild, serves as “ambassador” to visitors at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

    In March of 2022, it arrived during spring migration — a vulnerable time in terms of birds nesting and producing young. Now we’ve really seen it transition into this fall and winter pattern, oftentimes late fall into winter.

    Q: Which species are being hit the hardest?

    Ruden: The animals that have been impacted have primarily been Canada geese. They’re a numerous winter resident. They also do their fall migration in mid-December. So those birds bring virus from other parts and they flyway.

    Other things that we see very commonly are red tail hawks because these are raptors, a bird that is likely scavenging on carcasses of dead geese. That is also why there is public concern about bald eagles.

    Q: Many people worry about bald eagles scavenging dead geese. What are you finding?

    Ruden: I have been testing bald eagles since late 2024. Evidence shows that they’ve been exposed and actually survived that exposure. In adult bald eagles, 70% have had antibodies. That’s a good indicator of resilience in that population.

    Q: Why are bald eagles so important to this research?

    Ruden: We can learn a lot and maybe leverage that for therapeutics. That disparity in deaths amongst raptor species that might be scavenging on the same sick birds … if one tends to die and one tends to live, that’s interesting, so I would love to push that further.

    Q: Does that mean bald eagles are immune to bird flu?

    Ruden: We’ve seen hatch-year eagles — younger birds — that are more vulnerable, similar to what we see in young swans or other juvenile birds. But adult eagles appear to have a much higher survival rate.

    Q: How does this affect Iowa’s poultry industry?

    Ruden: Iowa leads the country in egg and poultry production, so there’s always concern. Early in the outbreak, the impact was significant. But improved biosecurity and better surveillance have made a big difference. This season, only two poultry sites have been affected so far, even with widespread bird flu activity in wild birds.

    Q: What should people do if they find a sick or dead bird?

    Ruden: The best step is to contact your county conservation department or a local wildlife professional. They’ll decide whether testing is needed and notify our lab if it could help research. If a dead bird is on private property, people can safely remove it using disposable gloves and double-bagging it before placing it in the trash.

    Q: Is bird flu a concern for human health?

    Ruden: Human cases in the U.S. have primarily been linked to poultry or dairy workers with close, prolonged exposure. There’s no known transmission from wild birds to humans in casual encounters. Still, people should avoid handling sick birds and use basic precautions if removing a dead one.

    Q: What’s next for bird flu research in Iowa?

    Ruden: We’re still learning. Bird flu is now a global phenomenon, and there’s always a risk of reintroduction. The goal moving forward is to use what we’re observing — especially species that survive exposure, like bald eagles — to guide future research. That takes time and funding, but every test helps us better understand what we’re dealing with.

    As outbreaks continue to shape Iowa’s wildlife landscape, researchers say one thing is clear: bird flu is no longer a one-time event, but a recurring reality — and the answers may be soaring overhead.

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  • Bald eagle drops cat through car windshield on North Carolina highway, driver claims


    A driver in North Carolina is claiming that a bald eagle flying overhead dropped a cat that crashed through her windshield, police said.

    The incident happened around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday on U.S. Route 74 in Swain County, North Carolina Highway Patrol said. The driver was not injured.

    Highway patrol did not provide additional information.

    A photo shared by officials showed the car’s broken windshield with a massive hole.

    A driver in North Carolina claims the windshield was broken after a bald eagle dropped a cat it was carrying.

    North Carolina Highway Patrol


    In a 911 call, obtained by WLOS-TV, the driver told the dispatcher that the cat did not survive.

    “OK, you may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield,” the 911 call said, according to WLOS. “It absolutely shattered my windshield.”

    “I had a witness who was like, ‘That is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen,” the caller added.

    Bald eagles are predatory birds that can stand up to 3 feet tall and have a wingspan stretching more than 8 feet. They weigh between 8 to 14 pounds and can typically carry things between 3 to 5 pounds.

    Domestic cats are about 2 feet long and weigh between 5 to 20 pounds. While bald eagles can carry smaller cats, they are not a common prey for the bird.

    In 2019, a large catfish crashed through a woman’s windshield in North Carolina after reportedly getting dropped by a flying bird.

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  • Eagle drops cat, sending it through windshield into car’s backseat, NC cops say

    A witness reported seeing the adult-sized cat fall from the sky as it struggled in the talons of a bald eagle, the N.C. Highway Patrol says.

    A witness reported seeing the adult-sized cat fall from the sky as it struggled in the talons of a bald eagle, the N.C. Highway Patrol says.

    North Carolina State Highway Patrol photo

    A woman on her way to work at a bank was left in disbelief when a cat fell out of the sky, crashed through her windshield and shot through the car, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

    The cat, which did not survive, came to a stop when it hit the back window of the vehicle, officials say.

    It happened around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, on U.S. 74 near Bryson City, and the driver was not injured.

    A witness reported the adult-sized cat was seen “fighting” in the air with a bald eagle just before it fell, Trooper Kosal Thach told the Charlotte Observer.

    The vehicle was going around 55 mph when the cat made impact, and a photo shows it punched out nearly half the windshield on the passenger side.

    The car had to be towed from the scene and the driver got a ride to work, Thach said.

    As for the eagle, it left before Thach arrived.

    Bryson City is known as one of the gateways into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the region is a natural home to bald eagles. They are the largest bird of prey species in North America, reaching 13 pounds with a wingspan of eight feet, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission says.

    Bryson City is about a 180-mile drive west from Charlotte.

    This story was originally published November 20, 2025 at 9:16 AM.

    Mark Price

    The Charlotte Observer

    Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.

    Mark Price

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  • Minnesota legislators push to make bald eagle the national bird

    Minnesota legislators push to make bald eagle the national bird

    The U.S. doesn’t have a national bird. Lawmakers want to change that.


    The U.S. doesn’t have a national bird. Lawmakers want to change that.

    01:50

    WABASHA, Minn. — Minnesota’s members of the House and Senate in D.C. are making a bipartisan push to honor an important piece of local wildlife: The bald eagle.

    They want to make the bald eagle the official bird of the United States.

    For all the national treasures we have, a national bird has never been designated — despite the common misconception.

    “It goes back to the fact that it was chosen as the national symbol back in 1782,” said Ed Hahn with the National Raptor Center in Wabasha,

    Having helped repopulate the once-endangered species, they’re now organizing the push in Congress to officially designate the bald eagle as America’s bird.

    “We came very close to losing our national symbol forever,” Hahn said. “This was one of the last places in the continental United States where you could reliably come in the winter months and see a bald eagle. And that was a period of time where it was a big deal to see a bald eagle.”

    Nowadays, you only need to walk through the Linden Hills neighborhood to see a bald eagle nest occupying prime real estate next to Bde Maka Ska.

    “It’s quite amazing. We’ve seen some up close in the Raptor Center and such, but in the wild, to see them in their own habitat is really special,” Kevin Mahoney, a Minneapolis resident, said.

    Minnesotans agree — the eagles that call our state home should represent the entire country.

    “I can’t think of a good reason why it should be any other bird,” said Minneapolis resident Kimmie Kemberling.

    Allen Henry


    wcco-cbs-minnesota.jpg

    Allen Henry is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who joined WCCO as a reporter in August 2022.

    Allen Henry

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  • Second chick at NCTC eagle nest in West Virginia killed by father

    Second chick at NCTC eagle nest in West Virginia killed by father

    SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — The chick that hatched at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) bald eagle nest in Shepherdstown, West Virginia on Thursday has suffered a similar fate as its sibling who was killed and eaten by their father earlier this week.

    Around 8:45 a.m. Friday, the live NCTC/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Eagle Cam captured the father eagle attacking the baby just minutes after the mother, who had been sitting on the hatchling all night, left the nest.

    The same thing happened to the first chick that hatched on Monday. In a Facebook post Tuesday, the NCTC said that because eagles are naturally aggressive and predatory, it is not uncommon for them to attack each other.

    “This behavior, while heartbreaking, has been observed in other nests and is not uncommon in birds of prey,” the NCTC post said.

    A study from 2007 from William & Mary ScholarWorks said that male bald eagles may be aggressive toward their chicks to remove competition, either for food or mating opportunities. The study recorded a similar killing that happened at a Virginia nest in 2002. In that case, the male eagle was only about 4 years old, just like the current male at the NCTC in Shepherdstown, who is likely in his first mating season.

    “It is best not to think of birds of prey in human terms and having human emotions. Bald eagles are naturally predatory and aggressive; that’s the only way they can survive. Every day, they hunt to live,” the NCTC said Tuesday.

    In a separate post after the second chick’s death, the NCTC said, “While this year’s nesting season was not easy, it has offered a rare glimpse into the complexities of nature and the challenges that bald eagles face.”

    There may have been another hint about what would happen to the final chick Thursday evening. The mother eagle was captured on the Eagle Cam seemingly defending the chick from its father.

    In the video, which can be watched in the player above, the mother can be seen standing over the chick and calling loudly at the male eagle for several minutes. She only relaxes after he takes the rest of the fish and leaves the nest.

    Last week, she stayed on the nest protecting her then two eggs amid a major thunderstorm.

    The NCTC bald eagle couple originally laid three eggs, but the first one cracked before it could hatch.

    Sam Kirk

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  • Bald eagle rescued from car grill after collision in Maryland – WTOP News

    Bald eagle rescued from car grill after collision in Maryland – WTOP News

    A Calvert County, Maryland, Animal Control officer swooped in to save a bald eagle after a collision Saturday.

    A bald eagle became trapped in the grill of a car after a collision in Calvert County on Saturday.
    (Courtesy Calvert County Government via Facebook)

    Courtesy Calvert County Government via Facebook

    The bald eagle was safely removed and returned to the wild after an examination.
    (Courtesy Calvert County Government via Facebook)

    Courtesy Calvert County Government via Facebook

    A Calvert County, Maryland, Animal Control officer swooped in to save a bald eagle after a collision Saturday.

    A driver alerted Animal Control early Saturday that they collided with an eagle on Route 4, and that the bird was still alive and trapped in their car’s grill, according to a Facebook post from the county.

    With help from the sheriff’s office, the animal control officer safely removed the eagle. An examination determined the bird was in good health and officials quickly released it back into the wild.

    Bald eagles are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Both laws prohibit killing, selling or otherwise harming eagles, their nests or eggs, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

    The bald eagle was listed under the Endangered Species Preservation Act in 1967, but was removed from the list of threatened and endangered species 40 years later.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Thomas Robertson

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  • 3/3: CBS Weekend News

    3/3: CBS Weekend News

    3/3: CBS Weekend News – CBS News


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    Blizzard in Sierra Nevada enters third day; Webcam audience eagerly awaits bald eagle hatching

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  • You Know It’s Winter When … | Show Me Nature Photography

    You Know It’s Winter When … | Show Me Nature Photography

    … you see Bald Eagles sitting peacefully next to other eagles!

    Wintering Bald Eagles

    This image was captured pre-2004, when I was still shooting 35mm slides, along the Mississippi River near Davenport, Iowa. I recently began converting some of those slides to digital files. It will take some time to convert my many slides to digital, but I am planning on featuring some of my fond memories of early nature photography with you.

    James Braswell

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  • Jaws drop as woman greeted with flock of bald eagles

    Jaws drop as woman greeted with flock of bald eagles

    An unexpected sight at a landfill dump in Alaska has left the internet in shock after the footage gained millions of views on TikTok.

    The video was posted by @erynwhittern two days ago. It shows the moment she was at the landfill dump in the city of Unalaska and saw an impressive number of bald eagles hanging around the area.

    Alongside the clip, the caption reads: “You could say I was SHOOK. There was even more when I turned around the other direction.” Among all of the trash at the dump are tons of birds, picking at the trash and scavenging for anything they can find.

    The bald eagle is a significant symbol of the United States, having been its national bird since 1782. Featured on the Great Seal of the United States, it appears in many government institutions and on official documents, making it the most-pictured bird in America.

    Thousands of commenters were stunned by the footage and rushed to share their reactions in the comments.

    “So you’re telling me the bald eagle is the pigeon of Alaska?” posted one commenter, while another TikTok user wrote: “Bald eagles: Fancy seagulls.”

    “Is this normal?” asked a third. “I’m scared because they running from something or know something we don’t.”

    A fourth added: “My cousins are from Unalaska, and they called them dump chickens.”

    It is true that the presence of bald eagles in Unalaska is not unusual. The Alaska.org tourism site says that the bald-eagle population on the island has fluctuated over the years, sometimes reaching as high as 700. The site describes bald eagles in Unalaska as plentiful as pigeons in other cities, offering visitors a rare opportunity to observe the national symbol up close.

    Pictures of bald eagles scavenging for food around the coast. Internet users have been stunned after one woman arrived at the local landfill dump to see eagles flocking to the area.
    Carol Gray/Getty Images

    Most of Alaska’s landfills and municipal dumps attract bald eagles, with these raptors being savvy opportunists always in search of easy meals, according to Alaska.org. Unalaska’s City Landfill, situated 2.2 miles out of town along Summer Bay Road, provides a reliable food source, drawing eagles in large flocks. The eagles are known to compete with ravens and seagulls for human debris, making landfills a hot spot for observing these majestic birds.

    Others shared their frustration, with one commenter saying that he had been trying to get a glimpse of the birds; he even paid $500 for a tour in Alaska, only to find that they are all at the dump.

    “Bald eagles love trash water is what I learned when I worked at the landfill,” wrote another commenter.

    Newsweek reached out to @erynwhittern via TikTok for comment.