PUXICO -- Visitors to Mingo National Wildlife Refuge can learn about eagles and then view them in the wild during this weekend's Eagle Days.
"Folks who want to see a live eagle and have a chance to get close to an eagle may want to come down," said Rod Hansen, assistant manager of Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.
About 2,500 people are expected for Eagle Days today and Sunday.
An indoor program starts every hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
Visitors will meet Phoenix, a bald eagle from the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield.
"This is a bald eagle that was wounded at young age," Hansen said. "Because of its injuries, it was not able to be released into the wild."
Phoenix travels throughout Missouri to offer educational programs about eagles.
At nearby Duck Creek, naturalists will be standing by with spotting scopes to help visitors see eagles in the wild.
In addition, visitors may venture into the refuge with their own binoculars to look for the birds.
About 70 eagles live in the Mingo and Duck Creek areas. "There's a pretty good chance you will be able to view them in the wild," Hansen said.
In addition to eagles, the areas are home to some 50,000 Canada geese and 60,000 ducks. Visitors may drive through the refuge and look for deer and wild turkey.
"You can spend a little bit of time looking at the wildlife," said Hansen.
The Visitors Center provides information about wildlife in the refuge and the history of Mingo Swamp and the Mississippi River.
"You can sure make a day of it," said Hansen.
The event is free. The refuge is two miles north of Puxico on Highway 51, about an hour from Cape Girardeau. Signs are posted this weekend to assist with parking.
Traditionally, afternoon sessions are more crowded. For those with flexible schedules, Hansen recommends arriving in the morning for the Eagle program, which is held indoors and will go on rain or shine.
Those attending should dress appropriately for the weather.
"If it's cold, dress warmly so you can spend some time out on the boardwalk and nature trail," he said.
The mile-long boardwalk is one of the most popular trails in the refuge. It is relatively wide and level and allows visitors to see marsh life without getting their feet wet.
Hansen said eagle spotting isn't too tough if you know where to look.
"Look for eagles high in the trees. You will find eagles at the very top of trees," he said. "Adults have the white head. But juveniles may look like a hawk. They won't have the white head and tail until they are 4 or 5 years old."
Missouri is a favorite wintering spot for eagles. When cold weather freezes water in northern states, eagles migrate south in search of habitat and food. Fish and dead waterfowl make up a major part of eagles' diet in the winter.
Eagle watching isn't limited to Eagle Days events. "People can come out any time and look for eagles," Hansen said.
The refuge is open an hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset.
During winter months, visitors must stay on the boardwalk nature trail or on roadways. "The rest of the reserve is closed to protect migratory waterfowl," Hansen said.
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