California

Bald Eagle Chicks Hatch on Channel Islands

Two bald eagle chicks have hatched in a nest high in a tree in California's Channel Islands National Park.

Park officials say the first egg hatched Saturday and the second bird poked its head out of its shell Monday in Sauces Canyon on Santa Cruz Island.

Officials say it's the first successful hatch after three years of attempts for the parents.

The 11-year old male was brought to the island in 2005 and the female arrived in 2006 as part of an ongoing recovery effort.

Bald eagles disappeared from the Channel Islands by the 1960s because of pesticide DDT contamination.

Since 2006, the birds have re-established territories on most of the eight islands.

The Sauces Canyon bald eagle pair is the first to lay eggs this season across the Channel Islands.

Live webcam video of the nest can be seen here.

Sauces Bald Eagle - Channel Islands National Park

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us