Eagles and Road Kill

We learned some interesting facts from our guide at Glacier Gardens in Juneau about Eagles. Their talons never stop growing, so at about age 25 the talons have completed the circle on their feet and the birds must pull out their talons to survive.

That then turns them into scavenger eagles, more or less successfully.

If they can get enough road kill or even prey on the young of other eagles, they may survive to 35 or even 40 years...but it's unlikely.

Funny story: When we were in Sitka my sisters were at our RV for dinner.

A heron flew by and they were all, " Oh, look, look ...a heron, how marvelous!"

I, of course, ho-hummed and said "Show me an eagle, then I'll get excited."

They rolled their eyes!

But truly, there are so many eagles here they are called the rats of Alaska.

One other interesting fact on road kill. In Sitka we visited a bear habitat. The guide told us police or fish & game wardens routinely bring road killed deer to the bears. They last about 5 minutes. The city also brings prototype garbage cans for the bears to "test".

The last bear proof improvement was a success....for a minute.