Earthplace is excited to announce the arrival of Cerena, an immature, female bald eagle originally from Michigan. Cerena suffered a permanent disability as a young bird which necessitated a partial amputation of her left wing and rendered her non-releasable. She is approximately 2 years of age. As she approaches four to five years of age, she will gradually acquire the white head & tail feathers and yellow beak which are characteristic of adult bald eagles. With a wingspan of 6-8 feet, eagles can weigh as much as 14 lbs. The female of the species is larger and birds from northern climes are generally larger than southern birds. These birds have been known to live over 40 years in captivity.

Bald eagles feed primarily on fish, but are opportunistic and will take small mammals, waterfowl and carrion whenever available. Bald eagles live near rivers and large lakes. In Connecticut, bald eagles winter near hydro-electric plants, where they can find easy prey during the winter months. These diurnal, carnivores are known for their keen eyesight and incredibly strong talons (up to 2,000 psi).

Bald eagles mate for life and build enormous twig nests high in the trees. The nest measures up to eight feet across and can weigh 2,000 lbs! As many as three eggs will be laid and the chick, or chicks, will hatch in early April. The young will fledge after 9 or 10 weeks.

Abundant in the U.S. in the 1700’s, bald eagle populations declined to the brink of extinction during the 1950’s & 60’s due to hunting, habitat loss and the wide-spread use of the pesticide, DDT. The bald eagle is presently protected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940, Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and the Lacey Act. With protection, bald eagle populations have increased and their status is now classified as “threatened”.

In order to be transported to Earthplace, Cerena had to fly in a specially modified, airline-approved dog kennel.  Her flight originated in Petosky, Michigan, connected in Detroit and ultimately arrived at Newark (as cargo) on Northwest Airlines.  Due to flight delays and a missed connection, she didn’t arrive at her new home until after 10:30pm on Wednesday, April 27^th, in the middle of an intense thunder storm.  Earthplace thanks Northeast Utilities for underwriting the costs of Cerena's transportation.

After an adjustment period, Cerena is now on view in a large enclosure, and joins the growing Connecticut Birds of Prey collection at Earthplace.