The raptors were taken off the state's endangered species list in 2009
GLADSTONE -- Their beautiful colors can be seen all over the nation, but this national emblem seems to have populated most of our land here in the U.P. Experts say they're not going anywhere, anytime soon.
But that wasn't always the case. These bald eagles were removed from the state's endangered species list just two years ago. A pesticide known as DDT was a longtime killer of the raptors.
"It was due to the DDT back in the '70s that made the egg shells soft, and they would break when they would get into the nests," said Randy Bruntjens, owner of U.P. Raptor Rehab in Gladstone.
Once DDT was banned, their population grew. The DNR now recognizes more than 600 breeding pairs in Michigan alone. The U.P. Raptor Rehab center has already taken care of 20 injured bald eagles, most of them hit by trucks.
"They can't fly up into the woods, so they have to go out into the open which is right out on the road," Bruntjens said.
Many of our Facebook viewers have spotted bald eagles everywhere in the U.P., from Iron Mountain, to Goose Lake, to Eagle River. And you won't see the bald eagle migrate anytime soon. Experts say they tend to stay by water until it freezes over.
"It's very common to see bald eagles stick around throughout the winter as long as they have a spot where they can find fish and eat and have water...they will be here," said DNR spokeswoman, Debbie Munson Badini.
But don't expect to see them eat just anything. They can be pretty picky.
"They won't eat hot dogs or stuff like that that's got any flavor or anything in it; I use hamburgers, chicken, turkeys," Bruntjens said.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC