Few animals inspire such starkly opposing views as birds of prey.
On one hand, birds such as the bald eagle and harpy eagle are lauded as national symbols, demonstrating strength, freedom and patriotism. On the other, these birds are seen as threats to food supply, harmful to livestock and as revolting creatures.
Birds of prey are powerful predators, defined by their large talons, hooked beaks and carnivorous drive. Their menacing looks make them one of the most largely misunderstood groups of animals in the wild kingdom.
Peter Gros, co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, breaks down the truth about birds of prey, their complicated history and how the public can help protect their legacy.
From feared to iconic: the harpy eagle
One of the most formerly misunderstood birds of prey was the harpy eagle. With a wingspan over 6 feet, dark gray feathers and capability to take large prey, it’s no wonder harpy eagles were once feared by the people in their native Panama.
“People were worried about their pets and their farm animals,” Peter said. “There were many exaggerated stories about what sort of flying villain a harpy eagle was, when in fact, they were an important part of keeping other populations in check in the rainforest,”
Today, harpy eagles are the national bird of Panama. So, how did this bird of prey get an image rebrand? It was largely due to the work of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Host Jim Fowler and his friend, Ron Magill of Zoo Miami.
Jim’s pre-Wild Kingdom work in Guyana studying harpy eagles was one of the first formal accounts of the species. He later toured harpy eagles around the U.S. to spread awareness of the importance of bird of prey conservation.
Magill partnered with the Wild Kingdom host to work with Panama’s government, save the bird and make it the national bird of the Central American country.
Read more about the harpy eagle’s incredible conservation history.
On the Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild episode, “The Most Powerful Predator of the Sky,” Peter visited Zoo Miami to see Jim’s legacy in action.
“Harpy eagles are a symbol everybody’s interested in saving, and what Jim and Ron did is they created all this energy,” Peter said. “They’re protected now and doing much better than they were. The key is still to save habitat, preserve as much rainforest as they can in Panama.”
How conservation helps birds of prey
Like harpy eagles, other birds of prey have managed to overcome misconceptions and grow their wild populations. Once such example is the California condor.
In the 1980s, only 24 condors remained in the wild. Conservationists took a chance, bringing all 24 to the San Diego Zoo to start a captive breeding program. It was a success — today over 500 condors live in the wild.
“Near Big Sur, California, you’ll see condors soaring close enough to read the numbers on their wings,” Peter said. “It lets the public be aware of how successful the program is and that condors are doing well.”
But the condors aren’t completely out of the woods yet, Peter said. When people shoot vermin around their farm or ranch, it affects the condor’s health. Condors eat these dead animals and suffer from lead poisoning.
“We’re all doing our best to get the word out that more nonlead shot is becoming available, which eventually helps all birds of prey,” Peter said.
Legislation helps birds of prey
Legislation has played a big role in conserving birds of prey. In 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of DDT, an insecticide that greatly harmed birds. DDT affected the thickness of eagles’ eggshells, causing them to break when eagles sat on their nests.
The following year, the landmark Endangered Species Act provided further protection for bald eagles. Thanks to conservation efforts, the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007.
“Numbers are rebounding, which is really exciting,” Peter said. “We can see the role of birds of prey in our ecosystem being billed once again.”
How you can help protect birds of prey
To help birds of prey continue to fulfill their role in our ecosystem as nature’s cleanup crew and rodent control, there are some ways you can help.
- Enjoy birds of prey at a distance. Use binoculars to see these majestic animals.
- If you have rodent issues, avoid the use of poisons. Birds of prey are ready and willing to step in!
- If you have a hollow or older tree, don’t remove it. When limbs rot and fall out, this creates a cavity and homes for birds of prey, such as owls.
- Bring in small pets and their food at night.
For more ways to enjoy birds in your area, check out these 10 tips for backyard birders.
