The Icelandic eagle population continues to recover. The population is now larger than at any time since the end of the 19th century. The number of nesting pairs this summer was 76, two more than in 2016, which in turn was a record year. The Icelandic Institute of Natural History counted 36 chicks in 28 nests who made it to maturity. A total of 51 pairs attempted nesting this summer.
Remarkable recovery
The recovery of the Icelandic eagle population is remarkable, as the sea eagle was feared to be on the brink of total extinction in Iceland only 40 years ago. The population has been making a strong comeback in the past few years. The past few years have been especially successful.
Most eagles nest in Western Iceland and the Westfjords, but thanks to the growing eagle population eagles are increasingly spotted all around Iceland.
Eagles return to nest in old nests, eagle's nests remaining in use for decades, even centuries. In recent years ornithologists have noticed that eagles have been making attempts at nesting in some of these old abandoned nests in cliffs and mountain sides in North West Iceland, places where eagles had not nested since the early 20th century or late 19th century. Eagle nesting in North Iceland had disappeared nearly completely. Young eagles can be seen all around the island.
Once endangered but now growing
The Icelandic sea eagle population, which was considered seriously endangered during the mid-20th century has growing considerably in the past few years. Currently the Icelandic population is believed to be 76 couples, but reached as few as 20 in the 1960s.
The population had plummeted since the late 19th century when farmers began killing the birds and destroying nests to protect livestock and the nests of eider, who produced valuable eiderdown. The population has been estimated to have been around 120 pairs in the 1870s, but even if the sea eagles achieved the status of a protect species in 1914 the population continued to drop due to the widespread practice of poisoning against foxes. The population only began to recover in the 1970s, following a ban on the use of poison in controlling the fox population.
Read more: Spotting puffins: here is our map showing the best places around Iceland
The birds which become sexually mature at four years old and live up to 25 years pair for life and choose permanent home ranges. Nests are re-used year after year, growing to considerable sizes. The oldest known nest, located in located, was estimated to be 150 years old.
Breiðafjörður bay's many islands
The sea eagles nests in Western Iceland, around Faxaflói Bay and in the Western Fjords. However, the best area for eagle sightings are the shores and many Islands of Breiðafjörður bay.
The sea eagle are protected, and it is illegal to approach an eagles nest, but if you are lucky you can catch a glimpse of these majestic birds searching for food for their young
Read more: A white-tailed eagle and a vixen caught on film fighting over food
Close cousins of the Bald Eagle
The sea eagle, which is a majestic bird, is the European cousin of the North American Bald Eagle. It is also one of the largest of any eagle species, and has the largest average wingspan. The median wingspan of Sea Eagles is 2.18 meters, although specimens with wingspans of up to 2.53 meters have been recorded.
The sea eagles are more vocal than other eagles and can often be heard calling each other, especially during the mating season. They can be identified by their huge wingspan and steady, evenly held wings, white tail, yellow beaks and mousy coloring of the wings and body.
The Icelandic eagle population continues to recover. The population is now larger than at any time since the end of the 19th century. The number of nesting pairs this summer was 76, two more than in 2016, which in turn was a record year. The Icelandic Institute of Natural History counted 36 chicks in 28 nests who made it to maturity. A total of 51 pairs attempted nesting this summer.
Remarkable recovery
The recovery of the Icelandic eagle population is remarkable, as the sea eagle was feared to be on the brink of total extinction in Iceland only 40 years ago. The population has been making a strong comeback in the past few years. The past few years have been especially successful.
Most eagles nest in Western Iceland and the Westfjords, but thanks to the growing eagle population eagles are increasingly spotted all around Iceland.
Eagles return to nest in old nests, eagle's nests remaining in use for decades, even centuries. In recent years ornithologists have noticed that eagles have been making attempts at nesting in some of these old abandoned nests in cliffs and mountain sides in North West Iceland, places where eagles had not nested since the early 20th century or late 19th century. Eagle nesting in North Iceland had disappeared nearly completely. Young eagles can be seen all around the island.
Once endangered but now growing
The Icelandic sea eagle population, which was considered seriously endangered during the mid-20th century has growing considerably in the past few years. Currently the Icelandic population is believed to be 76 couples, but reached as few as 20 in the 1960s.
The population had plummeted since the late 19th century when farmers began killing the birds and destroying nests to protect livestock and the nests of eider, who produced valuable eiderdown. The population has been estimated to have been around 120 pairs in the 1870s, but even if the sea eagles achieved the status of a protect species in 1914 the population continued to drop due to the widespread practice of poisoning against foxes. The population only began to recover in the 1970s, following a ban on the use of poison in controlling the fox population.
Read more: Spotting puffins: here is our map showing the best places around Iceland
The birds which become sexually mature at four years old and live up to 25 years pair for life and choose permanent home ranges. Nests are re-used year after year, growing to considerable sizes. The oldest known nest, located in located, was estimated to be 150 years old.
Breiðafjörður bay's many islands
The sea eagles nests in Western Iceland, around Faxaflói Bay and in the Western Fjords. However, the best area for eagle sightings are the shores and many Islands of Breiðafjörður bay.
The sea eagle are protected, and it is illegal to approach an eagles nest, but if you are lucky you can catch a glimpse of these majestic birds searching for food for their young
Read more: A white-tailed eagle and a vixen caught on film fighting over food
Close cousins of the Bald Eagle
The sea eagle, which is a majestic bird, is the European cousin of the North American Bald Eagle. It is also one of the largest of any eagle species, and has the largest average wingspan. The median wingspan of Sea Eagles is 2.18 meters, although specimens with wingspans of up to 2.53 meters have been recorded.
The sea eagles are more vocal than other eagles and can often be heard calling each other, especially during the mating season. They can be identified by their huge wingspan and steady, evenly held wings, white tail, yellow beaks and mousy coloring of the wings and body.
