Unalaska is a famous town for violent bald eagles. The magnificent bald eagle is the national bird of America. But most Americans are lucky to see one firsthand during their lifetimes. The Unalaska town offers classic examples of the striking nature you’ll find throughout Alaska but seems otherwise unremarkable. Then the unnatural amount of eagles here is due to Unalaska simply being a great place for the birds to find food.
Unalaska town is located on Unalaska Island and neighboring Amaknak Island in the Aleutian Islands off mainland Alaska. In the small town of Unalaska, bald eagles are as common as pigeons are in other human settlements.
Unalaska is home to about 5,000 inhabitants, normally sparing space for bald eagles. The eagles lurk above telephone poles and stop lights, watching for potential victims to sweep down upon, litter through trash, and steal grocery bags.
The view looks like one out of a fairytale. Bald Eagles naturally build their nest up in trees, but Unalaska doesn’t have too many trees. So, Bald eagles find the other way to build their nests on cliffs, on the edge of town, and in man-made structures.
With their seven-foot wingspans, flesh-ripping beaks, and vice-like talons, eagles rule the island. But why are their annual eagle attacks in Unalaska when raptors and humans peacefully coexist elsewhere in the state?
It is so easy to get a closer look at an eagle nest without even knowing it. The bald eagles get attacked anytime, which is why local law enforcement puts up warning signs all over the nesting season. The nesting season for America’s national bird runs from early June to the end of the summer.
When they go near their nests, they may get angry and dislike it. So, local people constantly keep an eye out for the birds. There are almost ten cases every year when people require medical attention after encounters with eagles with lacerated wounds.
Moreover, fish is the favorite food of bald eagles. During the fishing season, myriad eagles come to scavenge and nest in the fishing town, creating a lot of irritation for locals. When fresh fish isn’t available, the birds will do anything with meat, seagulls, ducks, squirrels, mice, the occasional raven, and human leftovers.
Despite all aspects, Unalaska is an excellent place to watch, where you can take marvelous photographs. The bald eagles are called Dutch Harbor pigeons by locals. The bald eagles swarm every boat that comes into port, festooning the rigging by the dozen like baleful New Year ornaments.
The magnificent bald eagle is the national bird of America, but most Americans are lucky to see one firsthand during their lifetimes.The Unalaska town offers classic examples of the striking nature you’ll find throughout Alaska but seems otherwise unremarkable.Unalaska – The Town of Violent Bald Eagles – It is located on Unalaska Island and neighboring Amaknak Island in the Aleutian Islands off mainland Alaska.In the small town of Unalaska, bald eagles are as common as pigeons are in other human settlements.The Unalaska is home to about 5,000 inhabitants, normally sparing the space for bald eagles, who lurk above telephone poles, and stop lights watching for potential victims to sweep down upon, litter through trash, and steal grocery bags.The view looks like out of a fairytale. Bald Eagles naturally built their nest up in trees, but Unalaska doesn’t have too many trees.So, Bald eagles find the other way to build their nests on cliffs, on the edge of town, and in manmade structures.These violent bald eagles have seven-foot wingspans, flesh-ripping beaks, and vice-like talons, eagles rule the island.Therefore, it’s so easy to get a closer look at a violent bald eagles nest without even knowing it. The bald eagles get attacked anytime, which is why local law enforcement puts up warning signs all over the nesting season.But why are their annual eagle attacks in Unalaska when raptors and humans peacefully coexist elsewhere in the state? Photographs by Corey Arnold
