A juvenile bald eagle in Gulf State Park: Glynn Wilson

By Glynn Wilson –

GULF SHORES, Ala. — What appears to be a juvenile bald Eagle now watches over a nest in a tall pine tree in Gulf State Park.

The bald eagle is America’s national bird. It grew close to becoming extinct in the 20th century due to DDT chemical poisoning of their egg shells.

Park Ranger Roger Reetz has been keeping close watch on the nest and reports one of the birds stays in the nest at all times, according to a local newspaper.

Park Naturalist Kelly Reetz, Roger’s wife, said bald eagles don’t start turning white on the head and feet until they are about 3 or 4 and don’t fully have the white adornments and cannot breed until age 5.

According to scientists, eagles mate for life but may find another mate if one of the pair dies.

Eagles generally return to the same nest every year and expand it with each season.

Some can grow to have a wing span of six feet.

A juvenile bald eagle in Gulf State Park: Glynn Wilson