Eagle

There are two species of eagles in Wisconsin: the Bald Eagle and the much less common Golden Eagle. Eagles are large birds of prey that use their large talons and sharp eyesight to hunt and capture prey. Their diet consists of fish, mammals, birds, reptiles and carrion (decaying matter). Bald Eagles can be found in Wisconsin all year round, while Golden Eagles are only present during the winter months, primarily in the western portion of the state.

During the breeding season, Bald Eagles can be found near various waterbodies (streams, rivers, lakes). The ideal location for nesting and roosting is large trees near large open bodies of water with ample fish and forest cover. Bald Eagles use tall, mature super-canopy trees to build their nests using sticks and large branches. The nest is then lined with softer material like moss or grass. Bald Eagles are monogamous and, in most cases, mate for life. They lay up to 2 to 3 eggs in late winter-early spring after they reach sexual maturity around 4 to 5 years old. Both parents share the role of incubating eggs and feeding the chicks.

Eaglets are born helpless and depend on their parents for warmth and food. Fledglings start to develop flight feathers around 10 to 12 weeks and start to explore near the nest to practice skills of flight, navigation and hunting. At about 4 months of age, eaglets will enter the juvenile stage and leave the nest. Even though juveniles are more independent, they still rely on their parents for the first few weeks before they disperse on their own. Juvenile Bald Eagles are mostly brown with mottled white and do not develop their distinctive white head and tail until they reach full maturity around 4 years of age.

Tips: If you believe you have found an injured eagle, take time to observe it from a safe distance; it may not be injured and could simply be dazed, resting or scavenging. Many eagles spend time on the ground consuming carrion. If it does not move for several consecutive hours or tries to fly but is unsuccessful, it may indeed be injured and in need of assistance. If you see it trying to walk and is stumbling, falling over or running into things, it may be suffering from lead poisoning or disease and immediate help is needed.

If you observe an eagle with a visible injury, contact a wildlife rehabilitator who is licensed for Eagle care. There are federal and state licensing requirements to provide rehabilitative care for eagles. Eagles are extremely strong and can easily cause injury if handled improperly. Wildlife rehabilitators licensed for eagles can provide handling and transport instructions if needed. Always contact a wildlife rehabilitator before capturing or transporting an eagle.