The last remaining bird from the 2014 Decorah eagles’ nest has died.
The eaglet, called “Four,” was found between Keota and Harper, in rural Keokuk County, Iowa, after she was electrocuted Tuesday, March 3, 2015, according to the Raptor Resource Project organization that monitors and tracks the eagles.
The eaglet was found near a utility pole that a consultant later said was unsafe for raptors in the area. Raptor Resource Project forwarded suggestions to Alliant Energy to improve the safety of the pole, according to an online post from the group.
Another eaglet from the 2014 died when it was electrocuted in July 2014; two eaglets from the 2012 nest at Decorah were also found electrocuted.
“Rural eagles are programmed to perch in trees because that is what they have available,” the post said. “But urban eagles, including our beloved Decorah family, are exposed to power poles and other man-made structures from the beginning.” Electrocution could be an increasing concern as eagles nest in closer proximity to people.
