Bald eagles have expanded their range to the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California.

According to the Associated Press, wildlife officials have said that a nesting pair has been found on the island of San Clemente for the first time in more than half a century.

As Nature World News noted, the discovery shows that the birds have returned to the island chain they once disappeared from due to exposure of the insecticide DDT.

In 2002, a bald eagle reintroduction program was started and over 60 eagles were released onto the islands.

Nature World News also pointed out that the state of Pennsylvania has seen a vast growth in the population of bald eagles with over 250 nests identified.

The bald eagles are birds of prey and the national symbol of the United States of America. Years ago, the birds were almost wiped out in the country because they were hunted and insecticides were collected in fish, their food source. Today though, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has upgraded the birds from endangered to threatened.