Pair of bald eagles found ‘incubating eggs’ in Toronto’s ‘first-ever’ nest. See it
A pair of bald eagles in Toronto’s “first-ever bald eagle nest” excited conservation officials in Canada. The nest signaled the bird’s “remarkable comeback” after almost going locally extinct, and sparked hopes for future eaglets.
The bald eagles were spotted in Toronto in “early February by staff undertaking their regular duties,” Karen McDonald, a senior manager at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, told McClatchy News on March 8. Based on the birds’ behavior, officials identified the animals as a breeding pair likely “incubating eggs.”
The sighting was the city’s “first-ever bald eagle nest,” officials said. A photo shows the birds perched around the nest.
A Toronto resident and birdwatcher, K.J. McCusker, told Global News that the sighting was a “total miracle.”
Conservation officials described the nest as a “historic moment” in a March 7 Facebook post.
Bald eagles nearly went locally extinct in Ontario due to “hunting and the widespread use of the pesticide DDT,” Global News reported.
Conservation efforts have helped the species make “a remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction,” officials said.
The location of the nest is not being shared to protect the birds, McDonald said.
“Bald eagles are sensitive creatures, particularly during their nesting period,” she told McClatchy News in an email. “It’s crucial to maintain their undisturbed habitat during this sensitive time and to prioritize their welfare, especially in the early stages of the nesting process.”
Officials hope that the bald eagle pair will stay in Toronto and be able to “raise a family.”
Toronto is along the Canada-United States border and on the opposite side of Lake Ontario from New York state.
This story was originally published March 11, 2024 at 12:10 PM with the headline "Pair of bald eagles found ‘incubating eggs’ in Toronto’s ‘first-ever’ nest. See it."
