Bald eagle sightings in Regina not as rare as some might think
It’s not going to be every day a person spots a bald eagle flying over their head or sitting in a tree while going for a walk around Regina’s Wascana Lake, but according to a University of Regina Professor of Biology, it’s more common than many might think.
Dr. Mark Brigham said he’s seen both golden and bald eagles himself while out for walks around the lake in the winter time.
“It’s actually not what I would call rare,” he said. “Believe it or not, eagles are actually pretty common around Saskatchewan.”
The question about commonality was asked after pictures of a bald eagle spotted along Wascana Lake were sent to CTV News Regina.
Dr. Brigham said in southern Saskatchewan, golden eagles are more common than bald eagles, but added both are around the area.
“They [golden and bald eagles] can be hard to tell apart because when bald eagles are juveniles and for the first few years of their life, they do not have the white heads,” Brigham said.
Brigham said it’s possible the animals could be nesting in the region, but more than likely would be juveniles and not at that stage of life yet.
Although bald eagles are more common in the area than many think and are out hunting anything from fish to small rodents, Brigham said owners of small dogs and other pets that may be alone in the backyard, should not have to worry about the bird of prey hunting them.
“Because their [bald eagle’s] wingspan is so big they’re not really maneuverable. They need lots of space to do things and a backyard isn’t generally big enough for them to do that.”
Brigham said he would not call it impossible, but highly unlikely.
(Submitted by Amber Pirie)
When fully grown, bald eagles have an average wingspan of six to seven-and-a-half feet.
If people want to venture out to see if they can spot the bird of prey for themselves, Brigham said it’s possible to see one at any point in the day.
“They’re certainly going to be most commonly roosting in a tree sort of early in the morning and towards the sunset when they can’t be hunting, but you can see them at all times of the day,” Brigham said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.