Areas close until June to help bald eagles get their groove on

photo from biologicaldiversity.org

Each year the famous bald eagle has a friend in the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The bald eagle is the official bird of the United States and is most recognizable by its white head and tail standing out from its otherwise brown body. Interestingly, the females are larger than males and both have an average wingspan near seven feet.

Although they are no longer listed as an endangered species, the eagles still have help from the state to manage their breeding season, which begins in December and ends in June. Like human snowbirds, bald eagles typically are found in the NW and migrate to Arizona in the winter.

Some areas that are affected by closures include Alamo Lake, Lake Pleasant,Verde River, Tonto Creek, Salt River, Becker Lake, Crescent Lake, Luna Lake, Lynx Lake, Lower Lake Mary, Greer Lakes, Woods Canyon Lake.

For detail on exactly what parts of those areas should be avoided please visit the full listing on AZ Game and Fish Department's website.

There are 52 breeding pairs of eagles in Arizona (more than 7,000 in the U.S as a whole) that get jiggy with it near trails and other recreation areas. In 2009, a record 77 eggs were laid and 67 hatched successfully. Because their nests and roosts are very sensitive habitats -- their eggs can fail if uncovered for just 30 minutes --it's important for hikers and other outdoorsfolk to keep their distance for a few reasons.

One good reason to respect these rules is that you probably don't want an angry eagle defending its nest swooping down on you. And the other very good reason is to keep this regal species thriving in Arizona.

If you're interested in watching bald eagles without disturbing them, the site says the best places for viewing are Lake Mary, Mormon Lake, and from the Verde River Canyon Train.

Some other good links to learn about bald eagles and their behaviors:
Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee
Eagle Facts