Winter is home improvement season in the bald eagle world. In Allegheny County, five nests are bustling with activity and one eagle couple are, well, companions without commitment.
The eagles' return to the Pittsburgh area this century proved that the Smoky City is cleaning up its act, and in 2023 their story continues. Three experienced eagle pairs have settled into a now-familiar nest renovation and mating routine, two young couples are still learning the lessons of parenthood and one lovelorn two-time widower continues his struggle to find a lifelong mate and raise a family.
Bald eagles had mostly abandoned the region in the first half of the 20th century. In 1980 there were just a few known nests in Pennsylvania. Nationwide, the species was on the brink of collapse.
