What Do You Do if Eagles Build a Nest Near Your Missouri Home?

This is a scenario that is very much a Missouri thing. Think about it. What other state can you have a dilemma where eagles could decide to build a nest near your home. It happens more often than you think and there are specific things you need to do and not do if it happens.

Since I drive from down Highway 61 in Missouri nearly every day and cross the Mississippi River, I see plenty of eagles. It never gets old. A few months ago, I noticed what appeared to be an eagles nest on the east side of the highway not too far away from a farm house. Did you know that eagles building a nest near your home can make things very complicated?

US Fish and Wildlife has detailed guidelines on what you can and can't do if eagles make a home near your home. I think this should be obvious, but I'll state it anyway. You cannot disturb an eagle's nest under any circumstances without violating federal law. 

You cannot disturb eagles in any way either and that includes noise. The US Fish and Wildlife says how much eagles are disturbed by sounds you make around your home depends on "visibility, duration, noise levels, extent of the area affected by the activity, prior experiences with humans, and tolerance of the individual nesting pair".

They advise that normal activities around a home will normally not disturb eagles, but landscaping and construction can and that's where potential problems begin. If you have an eagle nest close enough to your home, that could tie your hands from doing any significant home improvements that would cause noise that might disturb eagles.

The general guideline given by US Fish and Wildlife is there needs to be a 660 foot separation between the eagles nest and any activity that would potentially disturb them. In some cases, it's only 330 feet. It's very possible that you may need to apply for an eagle disturbance permit.

What to do if you suspect an eagle couple is nesting near your property? Contact US Fish and Wildlife and/or the Missouri Department of Conservation as they are experts in co-existing with these magnificent national symbols.