Environment

Bald eagles feast on rare Cormorant threatening the population

by JeffHuang | May 16, 2009 at 07:37 pm

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Bald Eagles have increased in numbers after years of decline and are now threatening the Great Cormorant species as they are targetting the cormorant chicks which could wipe out the bird population in the United States.

With less fishes for the eagles, they now are flying to Maine's rocky islands, the only known nesting colonies of the great cormorants and snatching the chicks. The cormorant has declined significantly from 250 pairs to 80 pairs since 1992.

"They're like thugs. They're like gang members. They go to these offshore islands where all these seabirds are and the birds are easy picking," said Brad Allen, a wildlife biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. "These young eagles are harassing the bejesus out of all the birds, and the great cormorants have been taking it on the chin."

The bald eagles have increased in population which causes a lack of food hence the attacking of other bird species. Eagles are now dieting on other birds where in Alaska, the eagles are dining on seabirds, and in the Midwest, they are hunting baby blue herons.

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j_wijnands

at 22:06 on May 16th, 2009

How about we ship you some of ours? We'be got thousands of these birds, so many that they're pushing other fish eating birds out of their niche.

Keith Murdock (not verified)

at 00:19 on May 17th, 2009

I little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

In Scotland game keepers see Golden Eagle take grouse so for years the eagles have been persecuted. The strange thing is there are just as many grouse where there are eagles as in area where there are not.

People see magpies killing young song birds, song birds are in decline so we blame the magpies.

Now in the US the cormorant is in decline and it's the Bald Eagles fault.

Sorry it's not.

Available food is far more likely to be the cause of decline, lack of suitable nest sites, pollution and many other causes can contribute to the decline. It is far more convenient to blame the Eagles than to address the real problems.

Only a species as arrogant as ours could kill off so many birds and blame another bird for going it.

Keith@worldbirds.awardspace.com

krik

at 02:24 on May 17th, 2009

These two photos of the Great Cormorant were taken in a town called Hafnafjordur close to Reykjavík, Iceland. The cormorant on the left is a one year old bird while the one on the right is an adult.

krik has contributed a photo to this story.

plymmer

at 02:52 on May 17th, 2009

I took this photo at Radford lake in Plymouth in the UK. This is the only Great Cormorant ive seen and dont know much about them, but it seems to be in danger in the US. I am a keen wildlife photographer and hope that they dont become lost forever in the US. You can view my photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/plymmer/ Thanks Rich Edmondson.

plymmer has contributed a photo to this story.

jacinto.policarpo

at 04:12 on May 17th, 2009

After 4 hours in one hide, i have the pleasure to see this friend really really close. Portugal

jacinto.policarpo has contributed a photo to this story.

Eye Of The Artist

at 08:20 on May 17th, 2009

Watching the great blue heron capture a large talapia for his breakfast provided a great photo op., When the cormorant appeared on the scene, I thought nothing of it as they often feed in the same areas. Seconds later, the cormorant snatched the talapia from the heron just as he was flipping it so it could be swallowed. The look on the heron's face was priceless. I felt a bit sorry for it, but was also felt privileged to witness nature at work.

Eye Of The Artist has contributed a photo to this story.