Sacramento Wildlife Refuge Confirms Both Eaglets From Popular Nest Have Died

The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge has shared a difficult update about the bald eagle nest that had become a favorite stop along the refuge’s auto tour route this spring.

Both eaglets have died.

Despite what staff described as a promising start, both chicks fell from the nest. One was found dead on the ground. The other was recovered alive but in poor condition and was transported to a raptor rehabilitation facility in an effort to save it. The second eaglet did not survive.

The nest had drawn attention from visitors throughout the spring because of its visibility from the public auto tour loop, giving birdwatchers and families a rare close look at a nesting bald eagle pair raising young. Losing both chicks is a painful outcome for the many people who had been following their progress.

Refuge staff framed the loss as part of the natural cycle. Eaglet mortality is not uncommon, particularly in the first weeks of life when chicks are vulnerable to weather, predators and falls. Not every nest produces young that survive to fledge, even among healthy, experienced breeding pairs.

The good news is that this was not the only active bald eagle nest on the refuge. Multiple nesting pairs continue to be supported across the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex’s network of refuges and wildlife management areas. The bald eagle population in California’s Central Valley has been steadily growing for years, and the species remains one of the great conservation success stories in the state.

The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is located about 90 miles north of Sacramento off Interstate 5 near the town of Willows.