It took a long time for us to accept the true nature and importance of our raptors, and eagles especially were put to the survival test.

A generation ago it was accepted behavior to shoot eagles as birds of prey were considered fair game. Then came the invasion of insecticides that cost eagles their nesting places and limited their ability to lay eggs – eggs with thin shells that would break before hatching.

Over time, humans changed their minds, realizing eagles did much more good
than harm. The occasional farm animal that fell prey to their attack was
minimal compared to the hunting down and controlling of rodent populations.

Unlike most birds, raptors have their eyes set forward to search for prey, not
having to worry about what might be coming up from behind. They tend to be
monogamous and return year after year to the same area – and in the case of
the bald eagle, to the exact same nest. It has been noted that one bald eagle
nest weighed more than 2,000 pounds – having been added to every year –
and the weight brought down a tree after being used for 36 years.

Bald Eagle – It is the national bird of America and is the only eagle unique to
North America. Sexes have similar plumage but the female is larger than the
male, with wingspans up to 8 feet. It breeds not only on the Mountain, but in
32 of 36 Oregon counties.

“The bald eagle numbers are increasing,” said Susan Barnes, biologist for
Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. “It has recovered well and has been
delisted from the endangered list – augmented by the banning of DDT.

“Their nests are huge, they mate for life, they eat fish, water fowl, small
mammals, carrion, newborn lambs, and have even been known to steal fish
from osprey in startling aerial displays.”

As their populations increase there has been an uptick of injured eagles on the
ground due to tussles with other eagles competing for space, according to
Barnes.

Osprey – Look for a body of water on the Mountain, and you’ll likely
encounter this magnificent raptor. Like their bald eagle cousin, they were
nearly destroyed by DDT, but have rebounded from that disaster.

“They have a high profile (up to 5-foot wingspan), nest on tree tops, power
poles, cell phone towers, and always near water,” Barnes said. “And they
collect weird things (for their nests). Besides sticks you can find nests that
include plastic bags, T-shirts, baling twine and fishing line.”

They have been arriving on the Mountain since mid-March, mate for life, and
can be easily identified by their beautiful, vocal chirp, Barnes noted.

They are fish eaters and are seldom seen outside a 2-mile area from water.

Turkey Vulture – It is commonly known as a buzzard and they are the
scavengers of the sky, feasting primarily on carrion.

“They are ugly, but well-adapted for cleanup duty,” Barnes said. “They have
no feathers on their head (hence, the ugly moniker) which allows them to
stick their heads in carcasses.”
They are recently returned from their winter grounds and spring nesting on
the Mountain is underway.
“The world would be a stinkier place without them,” Barnes concluded.
American Kestrel – Commonly referred to as a sparrow hawk, this falcon is
the smallest of the family, about a foot in length. But it makes up in size by
being the most common of falcons, breeding statewide in open terrain from
sea level to the alpine mountain zones.

“The kestrel is the only raptor with sexual dimorphism,” Barnes said. That is,
the males and females differ greatly in appearance.

Easily identified, they soar with their pointed wings flat, and regularly hover
over open country, including cultivated lands and occasionally suburban areas.
“They have beautiful markings, eat insects and small mammals, and can be
attracted by nest boxes,” Barnes said.

Peregrine Falcon – They have adapted to living in cities and make use of tall
buildings that provide suitable ledges for nesting. They dive and snatch their
prey in mid-air, and have few natural predators.

The peregrine falcon has hooked beaks and strong talons, are found on every
continent except Antarctica, mate for life, and are the fastest flying birds in
the world – able to dive at 200 mph.

“They are a great success story,” Barnes said. “Their populations have
rebounded from being victims of DDT.”

There are currently an estimated 1,650 breeding pairs in the U.S. and
Canada.