The Alaskan Town FULL of Bald Eagles

Summary

In Unalaska, bald eagles are a common part of daily life, with nearly 600 eagles inhabiting a small area of the island. Though majestic, these eagles can make everyday tasks difficult, especially around nesting areas like the post office, where they have been known to attack people. Locals, from officers to bingo organizers, share funny and dangerous eagle encounters. The town's landfill is a hotspot for eagles scavenging food, and even fishermen are familiar with the eagles stealing their catch. Despite the challenges, residents have a deep respect for the national bird, embracing them as part of their unique community life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bald eagles, the national bird of the US, are a common sight in Unalaska, Alaska, where nearly 600 of them reside in a few square miles.
• 😀 The presence of eagles in Unalaska is higher than expected, as they benefit from a local food source provided by the community.
• 😀 Although bald eagles are majestic and fascinating, their presence can complicate daily activities, such as running errands or doing work.
• 😀 Simple tasks like mailing a letter can be dangerous in Unalaska due to the territorial nature of nesting eagles.
• 😀 Eagles in Unalaska have been known to swoop down and attack people to protect their nests, with some incidents causing injury.
• 😀 The Unalaska Department of Public Safety has put up warning signs to help protect the community from nesting eagles near the post office.
• 😀 There are some humorous stories involving eagles, such as one where an eagle swooped down and stole a Bingo box from a local senior center volunteer.
• 😀 The landfill in Unalaska is a hotspot for eagles, who scavenge food from the trash and pick at anything they think might be edible.
• 😀 Eagles in Unalaska are known to be both scavengers and predators, feeding on trash and other available food sources.
• 😀 Fishermen in Dutch Harbor, one of the largest fishing ports in the world, regularly deal with eagles stealing their fish as they offload their catch.
• 😀 Despite the occasional nuisance, locals in Unalaska respect and appreciate the eagles, recognizing them as their national bird and admiring their majestic nature.

Q & A

What is unique about the number of bald eagles in Unalaska?

Unalaska has an unusually high number of bald eagles. Although the island is almost 80 miles long, there are nearly 600 bald eagles living in a small area, which is far more than typical.

Why do bald eagles gather in such large numbers in Unalaska?

The eagles are attracted to the area due to the availability of food, which is partly provided by the town and its activities. This makes the area an ideal place for the birds.

What are some of the challenges faced by the people of Unalaska due to the large number of eagles?

The presence of so many eagles can make everyday tasks, such as running errands or doing work, more difficult and dangerous. Eagles can swoop down and become aggressive when protecting their nests.

How do bald eagles affect the post office in Unalaska?

The bald eagles' nests are located near the post office, and they are highly territorial. This can lead to dangerous encounters, with eagles swooping down to defend their nests and potentially attacking people.

What safety measures have been put in place to protect the community from eagle attacks?

The Unalaska Department of Public Safety has put up warning signs near the post office to alert the community about the risks posed by the nesting eagles.

Can you share a funny story involving an eagle in Unalaska?

Pam Aus, who runs Bingo at the senior center, shared a funny incident where an eagle swooped down, hit her head with its wing, grabbed a box of Bingo supplies, and flew off with it, never to be seen again.

What is the relationship between bald eagles and the landfill in Unalaska?

The landfill in Unalaska is a favorite spot for bald eagles because they scavenge for food there. The eagles search through trash, looking for anything they might eat.

How do bald eagles interact with the fishing community in Dutch Harbor?

In Dutch Harbor, which is one of the largest fishing ports in the world, bald eagles often wait for fishing boats to arrive. As the fish are offloaded, the eagles attempt to steal them, which is a common nuisance for the fishermen.

Do the fishermen in Dutch Harbor consider the eagles to be pests?

Yes, the fishermen acknowledge that the eagles can be pests because they steal fish and make a mess on the boats. However, they still respect the eagles as the national bird of the United States and enjoy their presence.

How do locals feel about the bald eagles in Unalaska despite the challenges they cause?

Despite the challenges, locals appreciate the bald eagles and consider them a part of their daily lives. Even though they can be troublesome, the people of Unalaska love the eagles because they are the national bird and are an integral part of the local environment.