Libertarian Librarian

Unlike the redtailed hawks in yesterday's post, an pair of actually endangered fowl-- two bald eagles-- are attempting to settle in southeastern Wisconsin. Officials believe this is the first time in over 100 years that any bald eagles have attempt to nest in our fair state. Said officials are also asking the public to leave the two birdies alone, which seems reasonable enough.

Perhaps somewhat less reasonable, did you know that it is illegal to harass an eagle? Federal crime. I'm not sure how you harass a huge predatory bird living in a tall tree. Call it a chickenhawk? Tell them that the redtailed hawks down the road a ways are holding up a million dollar project with their nest and ask them why they haven't halted any construction?

It's also illegal to possess an eagle's feather. Folks living, playing, working in the area near the new nest who find an eagle feather cannot keep it, legally. According to Ron Eckstein, a wildlife biologist with the DNR, anyone finding such a feather should take it to a DNR office. The closest one to where the eagle's have put down roots is about a half hour away, in Plymouth.

Red-tailed Hawk Update: Turns out the officials in West Milwaukee actually knew how to look at videotape and determine if a nest contains eggs. The Feds agreed that there were no eggs, so now destruction of the grain silo can continue.

Labels: Politics