Bald eagles among first 'snowbirds' to arrive in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, FL - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has received reports of bald eagles returning to nesting territories throughout Florida the past few weeks.

This majestic bird that calls Florida home during its nesting season has been flying back to former nesting sites from Duval to Collier counties, although there are no reports of nesting activity yet. The official start of the nesting season is Oct. 1. 

The FWC removed the bald eagle from the state’s threatened species list in 2008 and at the same time implemented a bald eagle management plan with guidelines to help residents avoid causing a disturbance to nesting bald eagles. People should follow the management plan whenever activities or projects are being conducted within 660 feet of an eagle’s nest when eagles are present. Bald eagles are protected from disturbance by the Florida Administrative Code, as well as two federal laws: the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

“The bald eagle is a success story in the United States, particularly in Florida,” said Ulgonda Kirkpatrick, bald eagle management plan coordinator. “We went from 88 active nests in 1973 to more than 1,100 nests in 2007; that’s a twelvefold increase in Florida.”

The FWC is committed to conserving the bald eagle. All known nesting territories are surveyed annually by aircraft to monitor nesting activity and reproduction, according to Kirkpatrick.

In Florida, bald eagles may begin gathering materials for nests in late September or early October. They begin laying eggs as early as October and as late as April, with incubation lasting approximately 35 days. Once hatched, the fledglings begin flying from the nest at 11 weeks, but stay with their parents an additional four to 11 weeks.

“If everyone does their part to help conserve Florida’s bald eagles, we will ensure that this magnificent species continues to flourish in Florida for generations to come,” Kirkpatrick said.

For more information on bald eagles and a copy of the management plan, go to MyFWC.com/Eagle. If you suspect there is a potential wildlife violation occurring, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).