Sunday, May 5, 2024
A Gatesville Messenger subscriber recently stopped by the office to share some photos of a bald eagle that was spotted near Purmela.
The winged symbol of our country soared along the countryside around Purmela and eventually landed on a fence.
Generally, bald eagles are spotted in Central Texas from October through April. According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, the bird was placed on the endangered list in 1967 and eventually down-listed to threatened in 1995.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, “The bald eagles are one of nature’s most impressive birds of prey. Males generally measure 3 feet from head to tail, weigh 7 to 10 pounds, and have a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet. Females are larger, some reaching 14 pounds with a wingspan of up to 8 feet. Adults have a white head, neck, and tail and a large yellow bill.”
In Texas, bald eagles nest from October to July each year. Nests are constructed by the female bird with the male assisting. A typical nest would be constructed of large sticks combined with softer materials such as leaves, grass and Spanish moss, which would be used for the nest lining.
Texas Parks and Wildlife reports that the greatest challenge for the bald eagles in the future will be to prevent further destruction of habitat and the retention of sufficient creek and river flows to support a food base for the breeding and wintering eagles.
