BirdNote Daily Kelp in the Eagles’ Nest
Jan 9, 2026
Bald Eagles are known for their impressive nesting habits, often reusing and repairing their massive homes. Fascinatingly, a recent discovery in British Columbia revealed an eagle nest primarily made of dried kelp. This change traces back to the reintroduction of sea otters, which revitalized the local kelp forests. It's a captivating example of how wildlife can influence each other, transforming the landscape and even nest materials!
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Nests Reflect Long-Term Ecosystem Change
- Bald eagles commonly repair and reuse huge nests rather than build new ones each year.
- Ecological changes can alter nest materials, showing nests reflect surrounding ecosystem shifts.
Kelp Replaces Branches In One Nest
- In British Columbia a nest once made of tree branches was found reused later with dried kelp.
- That physical change illustrated a surprising local shift in available materials over decades.
Sea Otters Drive Kelp Recovery
- Reintroduced sea otters reduced sea urchin populations, allowing kelp forests to recover.
- The kelp recovery indirectly changed material available to bald eagles along the coast.