Boise State Team Treats Eagle Nests With Diatomaceous Earth

Research conducted by Boise State University, supported by the energy company Avangrid, has developed treatments to protect Golden Eagle nestlings from lethal diseases and parasites in the Pacific Northwest. The initiative, which has received financial support from Avangrid for three years, focuses on combating the threats of trichomonosis and ectoparasites.

According to research published by Boise State University, the combination of these treatments saved an estimated 17 Golden Eagle nestlings over a two-year period within the study area. Researchers state that this outcome equates to an additional 10 adult eagles available to support the breeding population.

Treatment Methods and Field Implementation

The research team, led by Julie Heath, Professor in Biological Sciences and Director of the Raptor Research Center, utilizes a multi-step approach to manage nest health. In the Owyhee Mountains of southwestern Idaho, researchers rappel down cliff faces to inspect nests and administer medical care.

To control poultry bugs and other ectoparasites, the team treats empty nests with diatomaceous earth. This substance is a fine powder created from fossilized shells, used to safely manage parasites. In some instances, researchers have also tested permethrin for controlling poultry bugs.

In addition to nest treatment, the team provides direct medical intervention for nestlings. This includes administering a single dose of an anti-protozoan drug to treat trichomonosis, a disease caused by a single-celled organism. Trichomonosis can cause large plaques that may eventually block the windpipe or throat of a nestling, often resulting in death.

As part of the ongoing monitoring process, the researchers also place transmitter backpacks on fledglings to track their progress.

Collaborative Conservation Efforts

The project is a partnership between the academic expertise of Boise State University and the financial investment of Avangrid, a member of the Iberdrola Group. The collaboration allows the university to translate laboratory and field research into effective management strategies that improve the survival rates of young raptors.

Protecting wildlife, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting conservation are core to Avangrid’s mission, and we are proud to work with dedicated partners like Boise State University working on solutions to protect Golden Eagles

Jose Antonio Miranda, Avangrid CEO

The field team includes various specialists and students, such as doctoral student Ashley Santiago, who focuses on raptor biology, and masters student Kevin Myers. The team specifically targets the lamby stage of development—when nestlings are covered in white, fluffy down—to begin their interventions.

Julie Heath noted that the partnership with Avangrid has enabled the team to strengthen the breeding population by improving the overall health and survival of the eagles.