Jefferson City, Mo. -- Missouri's reputation as a great place to raise young appears to be spreading among the bald eagle population.
This year 47 pairs of eagles successfully nested in the state, raising an estimated 90 fledglings, or young eagles that leave the nest to make their own ways in the world.
Both the number of eagle nesting pairs and chicks fledged in Missouri have increased steadily since 1985. For about the past three years the state has averaged five to 10 new nests annually.
State officials found 53 active nests in Missouri. Six of those nests failed to produce young. Two of the massive nests, which can weigh in excess of 100 pounds and measure eight feet across, fell.
The Conservation Department began its bald eagle restoration program in 1981. This involved bringing nestling eagles from healthy populations in northern states and releasing them from artificial nests in Missouri.
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