Living in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, means that the neighborhood nuisance birds are not the typical birds, but rather the majestic bald eagles. Usually considered a solitary bird, the bald eagles in Dutch Harbor are so numerous that they resemble a wild horde of seagulls or pigeons. Everywhere you go, the territorial birds are there fighting for space.
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Flocks of around 500 bald eagles gather around Dutch Harbor. There are around 70,000 bald eagles nationwide. Approximately half of them reside in Alaska, the only “wild” frontier remaining in our country. The symbol of our nation was almost extinct, but it has fought its way back to prominence under the Endangered Species Act.
Locals in Dutch Harbor and around Alaska consider the bald eagles nuisance birds, like seagulls. It is illegal to harm them, so tolerance is the word of the day. It is not uncommon to see them in and around dumpsters scavenging for food. Whenever fishing boats return to the port, they toss leftover bait overboard, and the eagles swarm for free food. Seeing a line of eagles perched on dock rails and mooring lines is a common sight.
Alaska boasts three other types of eagles in addition to the bald eagles. Golden eagles migrate to the peninsula during the summer months to breed. The other two types are rare; the Steller sea eagle and the white-tailed eagle inhabit the western regions of the Aleutian Islands.
Bald eagles in Alaska have mastered the art of survival. They prefer fresh fish, but will settle for anything resembling food. Approximately half of their diet comes from fish, but they will also hunt small mammals and other birds. They may also scavenge leftovers from wolf-killed deer.
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