MAINE COAST - Maine is home to several species of soaring birds that are predators on both land and air, commonly seen on beaches and cliffs, within forests, or along estuaries in bays and harbors.
Maine Has Over 800 Breeding Pairs Of Bald Eagles
Some decades ago, nesting pairs of bald eagles were relatively scarce in Maine, with only 21 recorded nesting pairs recorded. Now, over 800 breeding pairs are present - more than existed anywhere in the U.S. when first declared endangered in the early 80s.
The population in Maine has been on the rebound since 1972. When bald eagles were first placed on the Endangered Species List, they were down to only 29 pairs and eight eaglets -- far less than the average of 1,000 breeding pairs in 1850 when Maine was first settled. But through cooperation from state biologists, landowners, and conservationists, eagle populations have rebounded to their highest recorded numbers.
Today, bald eagles are thriving in Maine and other states nationwide. These birds of prey are a welcome addition to our landscapes, as their numbers are slowly recovering from the damage caused by pesticides and DDT toxicity.
