American eagles facing peril -- in pictures

  • US scientists say golden eagles are teetering on the edge of decline and worry that growing numbers of wind turbines could push them over the brink. AP
    US scientists say golden eagles are teetering on the edge of decline and worry that growing numbers of wind turbines could push them over the brink. AP
  • The rush to build wind farms to battle climate change is colliding with preservation of one of the US west's most spectacular predators, the golden eagle. AP
    The rush to build wind farms to battle climate change is colliding with preservation of one of the US west's most spectacular predators, the golden eagle. AP
  • There are now more bald eagles in America than goldens. AFP
    There are now more bald eagles in America than goldens. AFP
  • Ecologist Bryan Bedrosian with the Teton Raptor Centre in Cody, Wyoming, prepares to return a young golden eagle to its nest after banding it for tracking in a long-term population study of the species. AP
    Ecologist Bryan Bedrosian with the Teton Raptor Centre in Cody, Wyoming, prepares to return a young golden eagle to its nest after banding it for tracking in a long-term population study of the species. AP
  • The talons of a six-week-old young golden eagle as its feet are held by Charles Preston during research work at a nesting site. AP
    The talons of a six-week-old young golden eagle as its feet are held by Charles Preston during research work at a nesting site. AP
  • This Wyoming mountain range is ground zero in the conflict between golden eagles and wind farms. AP
    This Wyoming mountain range is ground zero in the conflict between golden eagles and wind farms. AP
  • Researcher Charles Preston places a young golden eagle into a bag so it can be returned to its nest after the bird was temporarily removed for research into the species' population. AP
    Researcher Charles Preston places a young golden eagle into a bag so it can be returned to its nest after the bird was temporarily removed for research into the species' population. AP
  • Mr Preston and other researchers are trying to find ways to reduce golden eagle deaths from collisions with wind turbines. AP
    Mr Preston and other researchers are trying to find ways to reduce golden eagle deaths from collisions with wind turbines. AP
  • A wind turbine at a wind farm along the Montana-Wyoming state line. AP
    A wind turbine at a wind farm along the Montana-Wyoming state line. AP
  • NextEra Energy subsidiary ESI Energy was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay more than $8 million in fines and restitution after at least 150 eagles were killed over the past decade at its wind farms in eight states. AP
    NextEra Energy subsidiary ESI Energy was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay more than $8 million in fines and restitution after at least 150 eagles were killed over the past decade at its wind farms in eight states. AP
  • A bald eagle sits on a nest overlooking Lake Oconee near Greensboro, Georgia. AP
    A bald eagle sits on a nest overlooking Lake Oconee near Greensboro, Georgia. AP
  • Scottish Labour Party leader Anas Sarwar with a golden eagle. The National
    Scottish Labour Party leader Anas Sarwar with a golden eagle. The National
  • A bald eagle perches on a branch in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. EPA
    A bald eagle perches on a branch in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. EPA
  • While the bald eagle population has rebounded from the brink of extinction, harmful levels of toxic lead were found in the bones of 46% of the birds tested in 38 states, from California to Florida. Estelle Shuttleworth / AP
    While the bald eagle population has rebounded from the brink of extinction, harmful levels of toxic lead were found in the bones of 46% of the birds tested in 38 states, from California to Florida. Estelle Shuttleworth / AP
  • This year a Louisiana man was sentenced to 30 days in prison and a year on supervised release for possessing a bald eagle feather. AP
    This year a Louisiana man was sentenced to 30 days in prison and a year on supervised release for possessing a bald eagle feather. AP
  • A wintering bald eagle soars above the Hudson River while fishing near Newburgh, New York. Reuters
    A wintering bald eagle soars above the Hudson River while fishing near Newburgh, New York. Reuters
  • The bald eagle was made the national emblem of the US in 1782. Reuters
    The bald eagle was made the national emblem of the US in 1782. Reuters
  • The bald eagle is one of the largest raptors in the world. AP
    The bald eagle is one of the largest raptors in the world. AP
  • A bald eagle build enormous nests, called eyries, out of sticks, usually near a large body of water. AP
    A bald eagle build enormous nests, called eyries, out of sticks, usually near a large body of water. AP
  • Bald eagles can have a wing span of two metres, weigh up to seven kilograms and grow to an overall height of between of 71 and 96 centimetres. AP
    Bald eagles can have a wing span of two metres, weigh up to seven kilograms and grow to an overall height of between of 71 and 96 centimetres. AP
  • A bald eagle swoops to pluck a Pacific Herring from the sea. Photo: Netflix's Our Planet
    A bald eagle swoops to pluck a Pacific Herring from the sea. Photo: Netflix's Our Planet