More Eagles on the Sonora?

In an off-again, on-again move, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has once again relisted the Bald Eagle as an endangered species on Arizona's Sonora Desert.

Back in 1978, the bird species was listed as endangered throughout 43 states, including Arizona. With protection and management, in 2007 agency determined the protection order could be lifted. But a group filed a petition with the Fish and Wildlife folks that indicated their concern that the population on Arizona's Sonora Desert was a distinct and isolated population of birds, hence in need of special protection.

After reviewing the petition, the government agency said it couldn't agree with the findings, and overruled the request. What followed was a court battle, and to make the bird's story short, earlier this month the U.S. District Court for Arizona ordered that wildlife agency review the matter, and for now, central Arizona bald eagles are back on the list.

Does that mean you'll soon see these majestic raptors hanging out around Quartzsite? Since Arizona has only about 50 nesting pairs of these birds, don't imagine one will pop up in a Saguaro next to your fifth wheel--but then, you can always hope.

Photo: US Fish and Wildlife Service