Eagles

It's time again for Arizona's bald eagles to begin their breeding activities, and outdoor recreationists are asked to help protect important breeding areas by honoring the closure of 21 areas across the state. Various land and wildlife management agencies close the breeding areas for part of the year, beginning in December, to protect the state's 48 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Some of the closure areas are located near popular recreation sites.

"Even though the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list earlier this year, they still require the public's help to reproduce successfully and flourish in the state," says Kenneth Jacobson, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald Eagle Management Program. "Human activity near active bald eagle nests can cause a breeding pair to leave its eggs uncovered, leading to a failed breeding attempt. It can take only 30 minutes for a breeding attempt to fail."

The bald eagle was federally listed as an endangered species in 1978. The birds recovered enough to be removed from the list in August 2007. Part of the reason for the comeback in our state is the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program, which contracts with volunteers to monitor breeding areas, educate the public about breeding area closures and identify situations where intervention might be needed to save an eagle's life.

In December, Arizona bald eagles begin rebuilding nests in preparation for laying eggs. During this time, land and wildlife management agencies enact the seasonal breeding area closures. Bald eagles nest, forage and roost at the rivers and lakes that have become some of Arizona's most popular recreation spots.

However, Jacobson says, "With the public's help and cooperation, we can all take responsibility for ensuring that Arizona bald eagles breed successfully."