Jack Snider Photography

Description

A bald eagle in Voyageurs National Park scans the water below for prey.

If you look closely at this eagle’s left leg, you’ll notice a metal band. This lets us know that this eagle, like many eagles in and around the park, was once banded by a researcher. By banding eagles (and other birds), researchers are better able to study and protect their populations. A banded bird allows researchers to track movement, monitor health, and gather data for conservation initiatives. It’s important to note that the band does not harm or bother the eagle.

Seeing these bands can also serve as a reminder of the importance of continued conservation efforts. In the 1960s, the eagle population in the lower 48 states was trending dangerously towards extinction. Eagles were quickly dying from habitat loss, illegal hunting, and the prevalence of harmful insecticides like DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). Due to conservation efforts including the banning of DDT, eagle populations have recovered from a low of 417 nesting pairs to well over 70,000 pairs today.