Former urban ecologist sees bald eagle flying over Amsterdam: ‘Looking for habitat’

A white-tailed eagle flies over Amsterdam-North. That’s what former city ecologist and writer Remco Daalder tells today NH Radio† According to the Amsterdam biologist, the young eagle is looking for a place to nest. The chance that he will find it in Amsterdam, however, seems small.

Urban ecologist Remco Daalder spotted a bald eagle in Amsterdam-North – NH Nieuws

For Daalder, who was an urban ecologist in Amsterdam for many years, it was the first time he had seen one flying above the city. “The white-tailed eagle breeds on the Oostvaardersplassen”, says Daalder NH Radio† “I’ve seen them there once. But so above Amsterdam: fantastic dude!”

According to Daalder, it was a young sea eagle. “Those animals only start breeding at the age of four, until then they look at what is the best habitat for them.”

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The white-tailed eagle has a wingspan of between 200 and 250 centimeters. Photo for illustrative purposes – Wikimedia Commons

No city bird of prey

Amsterdam-North will not belong to this: “A white-tailed eagle cannot breed in the city, but near the city — at the Polder IJdoorn and Waterland — you have areas where there are many geese. Bald eagles love that. He probably sees food. enough, but he is still looking for a place where he could possibly nest. That is a bit more difficult, but you never know.”

Sea eagles do not sit on buildings, says Daalder. “Peregrine falcons do. One is now breeding at the Rijksmuseum. I think he already has young, you can see it on a webcam† “Peregrines are really urban birds of prey, sea eagles are more swamp birds of prey.” The Bald Eagle is certainly not a possible solution to the rat plague. “He absolutely does not eat those, rats are much too small for such a large animal.”

The entire conversation with Remco Daalder can also be heard in the Lunchroom podcast. All Lunchroom conversations can be found in your favorite podcast app.

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