At Carburn Park in southeast Calgary, local naturalist Brian Keating quickly spotted two bald eagles near the river. According to Keating, this particular pair has been nesting in Calgary for many years, making it almost certain to encounter an eagle when visiting the park. The presence of bald eagles in Calgary is not surprising to Keating, who attributes it to the ideal habitat provided by the Bow River, enabling the eagles to reside in the city throughout the year.
Bald eagles can be found in various locations across Alberta, from the Bow River to the grasslands. Colin Weir, the managing director of the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation in Coaldale, works closely with bald eagles and other raptors from all over the province. Weir noted a significant increase in bald eagle sightings along the Prairie rivers in the past decade, indicating their expanding presence in the region.
The bald eagle population in Alberta consists of both resident birds, such as those found in Calgary during winter, and migratory birds that nest in places like Banff but winter in warmer areas. Southern Alberta’s rivers offer excellent nesting grounds for these birds due to abundant food sources like fish and migratory ducks, creating an attractive habitat for them.
Bald eagles are also known to inhabit unexpected areas, such as fields far from major bodies of water. They are attracted to agricultural regions where they can scavenge on dead livestock. Keating highlighted the results of the recent local Christmas Bird Count, revealing over 400 bald eagles in and around Calgary, a significant increase compared to previous decades.
NatureCounts, a platform compiling wildlife data through citizen science, indicates a rise in bald eagle populations across North America. This recovery is attributed to conservation efforts, including the endangered species designation in the 1970s and subsequent protective measures like banning harmful pesticides and hunting restrictions. As a result, bald eagles have made a remarkable comeback, with a population surge of over 600% since 1970, leading to their removal from the endangered species list.
Despite their resurgence, bald eagles in Canada still face threats, including poaching, habitat loss, and environmental contamination. Conservationists emphasize the importance of addressing these challenges to safeguard the future of bald eagles and other bird species.