Alberton in Mineral County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Flying High Across the Big Sky
The Bald Eagle is the magnificent emblem of the United States of America. However, since the founding of our country, habitat reductions and human interaction have caused this beautiful high-flying raptor's population to decline drastically. Listed in Montana as a endangered species in 1978, the Bald Eagle is protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its recovery is a great national success story.
But it is also a great Montana success story. By 1980, Montana populations had dropped to 17 known nesting sites. In just 25 years, management of habitats turned the plummeting trend around. As a result, these raptors began to thrive, with nesting sites numbering approximately 300 in 2005.
Across the river, in the tallest tree a couple of hundred yards downstream from here, is a nesting site that has been in use for many years and has successfully produced many offspring. (Use the peephole in the post to the right of this exhibit for a better look.) (missing).
If delisted from the Endangered Species Act, Bald Eagles will continue to be protected by the Bald Eagle Protection Act which prohibits killing, selling, or otherwise harming eagles, their nests or eggs. Please remember that this great bird is still protected as a symbol of our nation's freedom and should not be harassed in any way.
Bald Eagles are primarily fish eaters, often stealing from the abundant osprey near the river. However they also eat duck, young geese and small mammals. In winter, they will eat carrion (recently killed animals). The Bald Eagle's lifespan in the wild is approximately 20 years.
Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment.
Location. 47° 0.738′ N, 114° 32.574′ W. Marker is in Alberton, Montana, in Mineral County. Marker can be reached from Interstate 90 at milepost 72, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alberton MT 59820, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Glacial Lake Missoula (approx. 1.2 miles away); A Wonderful Piece of Engineering: The Big Side Cut (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Natural Pier Bridge (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Ninemile Remount Depot (approx. 7.8 miles away).
More about this marker. This marker is located at the Alberton Rest Area, Eastbound on Interstate 90 MP72.
Also see . . . Bald Eagle -- Wikipedia. The bald eagle is both the national bird and national animal of the United States of America. The bald eagle appears on its seal. In the late 20th century it was on the brink of extirpation in the contiguous United States. Populations have since recovered and the species was removed from the U.S. government's list of endangered species on July 12, 1995 and transferred to the list of threatened species. It was removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in the Lower 48 States on June 28, 2007. (Submitted on September 7, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.