Believe it or not, the bald eagle is now off the endangered species list! How often do we hear good news concerning endangered species? In 1963 there were only about 400 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states! Today there are around 10,000 pairs! I would say that is a success story.
Again, some of you younger readers may not know the cause of these low numbers in the '60s. The rapid decrease in population was due mainly to the pesticide DDT. The DDT built up in the eagles and that caused them to lay eggs that had weak shells. The eagles were placed under protection in 1967 (The year I was born!).
Hopefully more species will follow in the footsteps of the bald eagle! Wouldn't it be great to have more positive news concerning our national wildlife?
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When I lived in Colorado a pair of bald eagles moved in on a back road between Rocky Flats and our house. The area around Standley Lake in Westminster, Colorado has now become a nesting area for several pairs.
The first pair that showed up in the early 1990’s was off the road about 100 feet but the road was shutdown through the nesting phase. The extended commune for a month was worth it to see them flying around the area.
Remember the Condors in California. I seem to remember in the 1980’s wildlife protection agencies captured the remaining birds and bred them in captivity to bring the numbers up. I think at one point there were less than 20 of these guys in the world. Now that is having your back to the wall! I remember reading that the Condor was still in trouble but the population was up a 10 fold.
Both of these are great examples of what humans can do both bad and good, on one hand creating devastation and on the other bringing life back from certain extinction. Humanity can be a powerful force.
I just searched the internet on extinct birds and found this website http://50birds.com/GExtinct.htm
Your students may be interested in seeing some of the birds that couldn’t be saved.
Ironman,
Hey, thanks for the site. I am sure my kids will enjoy reading and looking at the different birds that didn't make it.
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