Eagles — pigeons of Alaska: how the national symbol of the United States prowls through the garbage
The majestic bald eagle is the national bird of the United States, but most Americans are lucky to see it at least once in their lives. But this does not apply to the residents of Unalaska in Alaska, where bald eagles live in such numbers as we have pigeons.
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About 4,700 people live in Unalaska, who have to share space with more than 600 beautiful bald eagles. It sounds like a fairy tale, but it turns out that living together with predators has its drawbacks. Firstly, in Unalaska, you are most likely to be attacked by an eagle — the locals must constantly monitor the birds, especially when approaching the nests.
Eagles usually nest high in trees, but the problem is that there are not too many trees in Unalaska, so the birds build their nests on rocks on the outskirts of the city or in artificial structures, which makes them more accessible to curious people. It's easy to get close to an eagle's nest without even realizing it, so local law enforcement agencies put up warning signs throughout the nesting season — from the beginning of June to the end of summer. But all the same, up to ten cases occur in Unalaska when people need medical help after meeting birds.
The length of Unalaska Island is more than a hundred kilometers, but the eagles have chosen only a few kilometers. Of course, it has to do with food. The fact is that the city is located in close proximity to the port, and fish is one of the main food items of eagles. So they attack the boats that come up for shipment, and grab as many fish as they have time until they are driven away. They have another favorite place — the landfill. Eagles are scavengers and extract a lot of food from waste.
Residents of Unalaska love eagles, but still some perceive them as a threat and pests. They create a mess wherever they appear, and if pigeons, for example, fly away in case of danger, then eagles will attack. The post office in the city is one of the most popular nesting sites for eagles, so a simple desire to send a letter can turn into a stay in the hospital with deep wounds.