Staten Island is officially the most American borough now that it's home to a pair of bald eagles nesting on its south shore. This inspiring display of patriotism was foretold in February, and now, the eagles have landed.
"The presence of breeding bald eagles in NYC is a testament to the success of the environmental conservation movement in cleaning up New York's waterways and wild habitats, and is cause to celebrate for all New Yorkers," Tod Winston, communications manager and research assistant for the NYC Audubon told the Staten Island Advance.
Unlike the pair spotted in February, who enjoyed their stay only fleetingly, these eagles have decided to stay put. NYC is becoming increasingly habitable for the majestic birds—in 1960, only one pair was known to nest in all of New York state, versus in 2010, when conservationists counted 173 pairs. The population boom is reportedly thanks to the state's decreased use of the pesticide DDT.
Representatives from the NYS DEC's Bald Eagle Program have issued a stern warning to anyone who thinks it would be mighty fun to get out there and push over a bald eagle nest:
"If you see someone harassing or injuring an eagle, or if you spot destruction of eagle habitat or find an injured or dead eagle, report it at once to DEC's Wildlife Diversity Unit at 518-402-8920."
For your information, the eagles have also been given names by local birders: The male has been christened Vito, and the female is called...'Merica.
