The bald eagle is officially recovered in the state of Indiana! Previously listed as a species of special concern, our biologists estimated Indiana supported about 300 nesting pairs across 84 counties in 2020. Indiana DNR reintroduced bald eagles to the state from 1985-1989, funded by the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund (Help our rare and endangered wildlife). In just 35 years, bald eagles went from nonexistent on the Hoosier landscape to a thriving population statewide.
Although bald eagles are no longer listed as an endangered species, they remain protected by other state and federal laws, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. If you see bald eagles in Indiana, observe the birds, their nests, and roosts from a distance of 330 feet, which is roughly the length of a football field. Foster a climate of respect for wildlife by sharing these guidelines with your friends.
Over 350 breeding pairs of bald eagles occur throughout Indiana today. In January, these pairs begin building nests and incubating eggs. This is the most sensitive period in the nesting cycle during which eagles may abandon their nests if disturbed. To prevent this, view bald eagles from a distance of at least the length of a football field, take photos with a telephoto lens, and avoid making loud noises near the nesting site.
Foster respect for wildlife by sharing these guidelines with your friends! To learn more about Indiana’s bald eagles, visit the following link: Bald Eagle
Prof. John Collett, ex-state geologist, says there are several eagle roosts in Indiana particularly along the Wabash river. A year ago Parke county farmers were greatly annoyed by raids made on their chicken roosts and sheepfolds by eagles. A fine speciman of the bald eagle was killed, and a hunt was proposed to kill the depredators. A few days ago a farmer named Eaton killed a bald eagle near Sullivan, Sullivan county, that measured seven feet and two inches between wing-tips.
BATAVIA, O., Feb. 22.- A bald eagle, measuring six feet nine inches from tip to tip, was shot about one mile below Batavia by John W. Groves, who afterward presented it to Mr. H. U. Moore, of Batavia. The specimen is a perect one and attracted great attention, as this is the first bird of this character shot in this vicinity for many years. Mr. Moore took the bird to Cincinnati with the idea of having it properly preserved and mounted.
Immense Bird From Centennial Exposition Killed in Wisconsin.
KALAMAZO0. Mich. April 28.-Bernard Hance, of Hickory Corners, shot a bald eagle yesterday. The royal bird's wing measured seven feet and eight inches from tip to tip. The eagle when shot had just dropped upon a sheep in Hanco's barnyard. On one of its legs was a silver tag on which was engraved "P. Z. G.. July 4, 1876." and it is supposed the bird escaped from the zoological gardens during the centennial exposition.
PERU. Ind., Dec. 10.--Omer Moorman and Fred Spohn, of the south part of this county, while hunting Friday wounded and captured a bald eagle measuring six feet from tip to tip, The bird put up a hard fight and scratched the boys in several places before its strength became exhausted. The boys have dressed the wounds of the big bird and it is on the road to recovery.
Article from Apr 12, 1907 Fort Wayne Daily News (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1907, Bald eagle
1907 - A Bald Eagle Fort Wayne Daily News, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Friday, April 12, 1907, Page 4.
A BALD EAGLE
Rare Species of Bird is Mounted by Emil Smith.
A bald eagle, which was captured a month ago by John Meyers at his home near New Haven, has been stuffed and mounted by Smith of the police station, in this city, and nis ow on exhibition at the Loesch drug store on Barr street. The bird is an extremely rare.
specie in this part of the country, scarcely ever venturing this far from its native haunts. It is very large in size, measuring six feet six inches from tip to tip. Mr. Meyers discovered it as it fell from a tree in his yard, without apparent cause, and easily killed it. Mr. Meyers believes the bird was suffering from appendicitis when it fell.
SOUTH -BEND, Ind., Feb. 13.--After a hard struggle to escape, a magnificent bald eagle of prodigious size, was killed on the farm of Aaron Shaum, near here yesterday afternoon after it had tried fly away with a lamb in its talons. The bird measured more than five feet from tip to tip.
Woodsman Fells Tree, Kills Mother Bird and Captures Eaglet.
Petersburg. Ind., June: 28.--- -While cutting trees in a deep woods three miles west of town, Joe Davis, a cutter, fell a giant tree in top of which was a bald eagle's nest. The old bird viciously attacked Davis and he was compelled to defend himself with his ax. He finally succeeded in subduing the bird and returning to the tree, found the nest in which was one young bald eagle, which he captured alive, and now has it on exhibition here.
KENDALLVILLE, Ind., March 9,-Hugh Sawyer of this city, is mounting a fine specimen of bald eagle measuring almost eight feet from tip to tip of wings brought here by Charles Nichols of Howe. Nichols says the eagle was found near there by two boys, the big bird being apparently ill, and later died.
Why a New Patriotic Crusade Is Being Urged on Behalf of Our National Bird, Slaughtered by Thousands During the Past Three Years and Now Declared to Have Been Unfairly Condemned to Suffer Exermination
Q. Is there any law against catching an American eagle and keeping it in captivity? V. J. A. The bureau of biological survey says eagles are protected either specifically, or by blanket laws which protect all except certain game and predatory birds, in most of the states of the union: There are two species of eagles in this country, the bald eagle and the golden eagle. The bald eagle is the one which is used as a symbol the American nation. The golden eagle is not protected in Wyoming. In Alaska, eagles are not only unprotected, but a bounty is offered for their destruction. The biological survey, believes that the eagle should be protected as it is rare and does far less harm to game and song birds than some of the similar hawks.
Bald eagle nests are generally 5 feet wide and 3 feet deep. The largest recorded bald eagle nest 9.5 feet in diameter,...
Bald eagle nests are generally 5 feet wide and 3 feet deep. The largest recorded bald eagle nest 9.5 feet in diameter, 20 feet deep and weighed almost 6,000 pounds!
Check out this to scale nest, at Hueston Woods State Park.
[ Butler/Preble Counties, Ohio] Check back next Tuesday for another Tuesday Trivia!
Bald eagles were once a rare sight in the Hoosier state, but no more.
It’s becoming more common to see bald eagles in the skies or perched in trees or on poles around Geist Reservoir, Eagle Creek, the White River and many other rivers or lakes in the state.
“Seeing a bald eagle in the wild is a thrill,” said Amy Kearns, a nongame animal biologist with Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Females can weigh 14 pounds and have wingspans of 8 feet. Males weigh about 10 pounds with a 6-foot wingspan.
The DNR counts at least active 29 bald eagle nests in Marion and surrounding counties. Statewide there are some 300 known eagle nests, Kearns said.
They gather in the large numbers around Lake Monroe in Bloomington and Salamonie Lake near Wabash.
In Johnson County, Franklin Mayor Joe McGuinness took to Twitter on July 4, appropriately, to express his joy at spotting his “very first bald eagle” while he was playing golf at Hillview Country Club.
In 1991, a national survey by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers counted 88 bald eagles in Indiana. In 2015, Kearns said the count was 243.
Habitat destruction, poaching and contamination from the pesticide DDT pushed bald eagles to the brink of extinction about 50 years ago.
In 1963, there were only 417 pairs of bald eagles nesting in the 48 continental United States. The birds, federally protected since 1940, were named an endangered species in 1967; the government banned DDT in 1972 and renewed conservation efforts gave eagles more places to nest and hunt.
By 1995, bald eagles were no longer endangered.
In 2006, bald eagles had at least 9,700 nests across the country. The next year, bald eagles were removed from the list of threatened and endangered animals.
Bald eagles are so successful in Indiana these days that conservation officials no longer monitor them closely.
“We used to fly out with the helicopter in the winter to count eagles roosting in their nests,” Kearns said. “The eagles started doing so well, we had so many nests, that it became a huge expense.”
This resurgence is a remarkable success story for a species that disappeared from Indiana in the 1890s. The rebound comes thanks to a statewide conservation effort that began 30 years ago. DNR officials collected young birds from Wisconsin and Alaska and released them at Lake Monroe from 1985 to 1989.
The birds were collected when they were 5 to 6 weeks old and released when they were capable of flight at about 12 weeks old. About a third of those eagles survived and built their nests in the Indiana.
In May, DNR officials were thrilled when a nature lover and hobby photographer Teresa Bass took a picture of one of the original eagles and discovered the female bird was still nesting at Lake Monroe. “It is very exciting. I never get tired of seeing eagles,” Bass said.
Bass was on a boat with her husband and two friends, including DNR biologist Cassie Hudson, when they saw a bald eagle on the shore and shot a picture for DNR experts.
One photo, when magnified, clearly showed the bird’s leg band markings and identified her as “C43,” an eagle taken from Whitestone Harbor in southeastern Alaska and released at Lake Monroe on Sept. 6, 1988.
The experts got another surprise: The pictures showed a featherless area of skin on C43’s chest known as a “brood patch,” which is a sign she had been nesting or raising eaglets.
The eagle was informally named “Jenny” by Al Parker, one of the DNR officials who worked on the bald eagle restoration project in the 1980s. She’s been sighted at Lake Monroe in 1994 and is known to have returned over the years, according to the DNR. She’s also been seen in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.
About 27 years old, C43 is thought to be the oldest eagle in Indiana. Only six banded bald eagles have been documented to live longer, according to the Bird Banding Laboratory at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland. The oldest bald eagle known to the lab is 33 years, five months.
On June 28, Paula Jarrett and her husband Dave Hill took photos of an eagle perched on a utility tower near their Greenfield home.
“I’ve never seen an eagle in my neck of the woods before,” said Jarrett, who lives about 10 miles from the nest in Greenfield.
“He or she was just sitting up there looking for all the world like he owned the place.”
Jarrett said there were no song birds around and she recalled seeing ducks flying away in the distance. Bald eagles typically prey on fish, but they also eat small birds and ducks.
“It was very cool to see,” Jarrett said. “I hope we see more of them.”
As the population continues to grow, Kearns said it’s a safe bet that Hoosiers will be seeing more bald eagles. "A lot of people take inspiration from bald eagles,” Kearns said. “We have an obligation to our kids and grand kids to preserve wildlife diversity.”
Source: Amy Kearns, nongame animal biologist with Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Incredible! Check out these stunning images of bald eagles fishing at Seven Pillars Nature Preserve captured by Brian Lowe.
"Growing up, seeing a Bald Eagle in Indiana was about as common as seeing a Unicorn. In my 20's, 30's and 40's I spent more time outside hunting and fishing than I did inside. During that time I remember seeing maybe two. Today I saw 15-20 in one spot. I have seen probably close to 40 this year alone. Yes, I do go looking for them, but Eagles are a great example of conservation efforts that have worked remarkably well."
Thank you for sharing, Brian
Have you ever wondered where Indiana's bald eagles came from? This video tells the story of the inspiring story of the...
Have you ever wondered where Indiana's bald eagles came from? This video tells the story of the inspiring story of the DNR's reintroduction of these magnificent birds in Indiana. Have you ever spotted a bald eagle around town? [ See more on our Bald Eagle page ]
Discover the DNR bald eagle reintroduction project that took place at Monroe Lake in the late 1980s and was made possible by the Nongame Wildlife Fund.
Through archival video footage and current interviews with the original biologists, learn the steps taken to bring this iconic American symbol back to Indiana.
For more information on bald eagles please visit: on Bald Eagle
Article from Apr 9, 1887 The Fort Wayne Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1887, Bald-eagles, Indiana
Even in 1887, according to this newspaper article: A great many persons, said Prof. Collett to an Indanapolis Journal reporter, Who are considered well informed, seem to think there are no eagles in Indiana. The truth is we have quite a number-a great many more than we need.
Symbols abound in the daily lives of the people of Allen County. Some of these symbols are tied to a locality, but some of them have national significance. One such symbol is the American Bald Eagle. The Bald Eagle is both the national bird and the national animal of the United States and appears on its Seal. In the latter 20th century, the Bald Eagle hovered on the brink of extinction in the continental United States. Eventually, populations recovered and on July 12, 1995, the species was removed from the U.S. Federal Government’s List of Endangered Species and transferred to the List of Threatened Species. In June of 2007, as the species continued to thrive, the American Eagle was withdrawn from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in the Lower 48 States. Each year on June 20, the nation observes National American Eagle Day. It is a time to honor our national symbol and raise awareness for protecting the Bald Eagle. The day also encourages the recovery of their natural environments while providing educational outreach. Today, we share some of the items in our collection that feature our majestic national symbol. #sociallyhistory
Bald EagleThe bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) has been the national bird of the United States since 1782. Once a federal- and state-endangered species due to illegal shooting and use of pesticides, the bald eagle has recovered under protection. at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Nearly half of US bald eagles suffer lead poisoning Scientists say the raptors likely consumed carrion or prey contaminated by lead from ammunition or fishing tackle. February 17, 2022 WTHR Indianapolis, IN.
This Facebook post triggered a search for other eagle attacks. There were at least five that mentioned bald eagle from 1897 to 1939 with a few overseas. Five are listed here.
The May 26, 1902, edition of the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal reported that on the previous day, an eagle attacked a...
The May 26, 1902, edition of the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal reported that on the previous day, an eagle attacked a small child in Susquehanna County. Here's the story.
On Sunday, a startling scene unfolded near Conklin, PA, in Susquehanna County at the Hencklers' farm. A massive bald eagle, boasting an impressive 9-foot wingspan, made a daring attempt to snatch a 3-year-old from their yard!
However, the relentless bird wasn't finished—it returned and managed to grab a young lamb, a clear demonstration of the danger it posed.
Ever vigilant, Mrs. Hencklers, proficient with a rifle, was prepared. As the eagle lifted off with its prey, she took a decisive shot, successfully downing the eagle to protect her farm and family.
Mrs. Heneklers, who knows how to shoot, was waiting for the eagle. As he arose with the lamb, she fired and killed it.
Derrider, La., March 5,-An American bald eagle measuring 9 feet from tip to tip of wings swooped down in a backyard of this town, picked up Luther Green, 2 years old, in its talons and started to fly away.
The child's 13-year-old brother seized a shotgun and killed the eagle when it was ten feet up in the air. The shot slightly wounded little Luther, whose left arm was broken in the fall.
My friend (Ben Simmons) and I have discovered two very healthy and grown baby Bald Eagles at Eagle Marsh! I have capture the photo of the year for Eagle Marsh and this is proof and the First spotting that there are baby Bald Eagles in the nest at Eagle Marsh!!!
A bald eagle was seen at the Headwaters of the Maumee around noon today. A first for downtown Fort Wayne in many, many years!
Today kicks off the Memorial Day weekend. If you are looking for a new place to get out, enjoy nature and find some interesting birds, check out one of the hotspots in this ebird link: http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspots
Zoom in on the map to find a location near you.
A Great Egret strolls by an adult and a juvenile Bald Eagle at Eagle Marsh Wednesday evening.
Thanks again to WFFT-TV for a great story last night on the bald eagle we are treating for lead poisoning. We hope it will help raise awareness of the effects of lead on our wildlife. For those of you that missed the story last night or for our out of town friends, here is the link to the WFFT-TV story on the effects of lead and bald eagles: WFFT going-green-eagles-and-the-dangers-of-lead-poisoning
EXCITING NEWS: Soarin’ Hawk to release eagle after two years of rehabilitation
Fort Wayne – A young bald eagle that was found two years ago in emaciated condition has been rehabilitated by the northeast Indiana non-profit group Soarin’ Hawk and will be released back into the wild on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. at SalamonieReservoir
The public is invited to witness the release by Soarin’ Hawk volunteers at Salamonie Beach, 9214 Lost Bridge Road West, Andrews.
The eagle will be released at Salamonie Reservoir because several pairs of eagles are in residence there. After two years of recovery, the goal is for the young raptor to connect with other eagles.
In 2016, the then-six-month-old eagle was found at Madison Grant High School by Indiana Conservation Officer Cpl. Josh Kilgore and Soarin’ Hawk volunteer Lynnanne Dennison-Fager. The eagle had a broken leg, and mites had chewed the eagle’s feathers so severely it could not fly. Unable to hunt, it was weak and emaciated.
The injured raptor was brought to Soarin’ Hawk’s facilities in the Fort Wayne area to receive medical care. Fortunately, the broken leg had begun to heal, so surgery was not needed. The eagle was restored to health, but eagles do not molt and replace feathers every year, so the raptor had a long stay.
Finally in the spring of 2018, the feathers were good and the eagle was capable of flying. However, before a raptor can be released back into the wild, Soarin’ Hawk must make sure the bird has sufficient strength to fly and survive. To do this, Soarin’ Hawk volunteers use “creance” flying (controlled flying using a tether). There was concern that the eagle wasn’t gaining enough strength, so three months ago it was sent to the Illinois Raptor Center in Decatur, Ill., where it could fly inside a 100-foot-long flight house that is not yet available locally.
(Soarin’ Hawk is currently raising funds for a new center that will include a flight house.)
Soarin’ Hawk volunteers are driving to Illinois and bringing the eagle back to the area on Thursday, in advance of the release on Sunday.
About Soarin Hawk:
Soarin’ Hawk is a non-profit group established in 1996 to serve northeast Indiana’s injured or orphaned birds of prey. The organization rescues more than 250 resident or migratory raptors annually. After being rehabilitated by veterinary professionals and volunteers, the birds are released back into the wild. Soarin’ Hawk also cares for 16 education birds that cannot be released because of permanent injuries. These birds are used in more than 100 presentations annually by volunteer at schools and other venues to educate the public about birds of prey.
Samuel and I are in the boat in this video Hanna took from shore. There is a bald eagle in the tree watch and enjoy. This was priceless!!!
The answer to Talk To Me Tuesday's WHO AM I clues is the Bald Eagle!!
Here are some more facts about this beautiful creature:
The adult male is about 90 cm (36 inches) long and has a wingspan of 2 meters (6.6 feet). Females, which grow somewhat larger than males, may reach 108 cm (43 inches) in length and have a wingspan of 2.5 meters (8 feet).
The bald eagle is the second largest flying bird found in North America, with only the California Condor having a larger wingspan.
It is the only eagle that is native to the United States.
Both sexes are dark brown, with a white head and tail. The bird is not actually bald; its name derives from the conspicuous appearance of its white-feathered head. The beak, eyes, and feet are yellow.
Nests are usually about 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide, but old nests can be almost twice this size. The two or three eggs laid within take slightly longer than a month to hatch. Both parents share in the incubation and feeding of the young. The immature birds are brown with whitish tails and wing linings, but the pure white head and tail plumage do not appear until the birds are four to five years old.
Besides live fish and carrion, bald eagles also prey on other birds, small mammals, snakes, turtles, and crabs.
The U.S. government’s Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 made it illegal to kill bald eagles because they were overhunted. This, however, did not fully remedy the problem of their decline because the pesticide DDT was being used agriculturally.
Found an immature bald eagle hanging around the Eagle Marsh area on this Earth Day.
We're offering 7️⃣ eagle-watching field trips this winter, including a slower-paced photography tour! Learn more about these field trips and sign up now at bit.ly/eagles2025. 🦅
We're offering eagle-watching field trips this winter, including a slower-paced photography tour! Learn more about these field trips and sign up now at 2025 Winter Eagle Encounters.
Although the bald eagle was only *officially* named the national bird of the United States this week, here are some amazing visual materials from the Library's collections proving that they had the title in our hearts all along.
Images: Civil War envelope showing eagle with American flag in talon attacking serpent with 7-star Confederate flag. Between 1861 and 1865. Forms part of: Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs.
Detail of eagle carving. Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall. Washington, D.C.
The Great Seal of The United States made with lace. Harris & Ewing photograph collection, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. 1931.
An allegory of American liberty. Liberty, represented by a maiden in the form of the goddess Hebe, offers a cup to an eagle descending from the upper left. With her right foot she treads on chains, a scepter, a key, and other implements of tyranny. Painted and engraved by Edward Savage, 1796.
eagle-watching field trips this winter, including a slower-paced photography tour! Learn more about these field trips and sign up now at 
