Challenger the American Bald Eagle prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs during their game on April 4, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The eagles have landed in Pittsburgh.

A pair of American bald eagles have nested within the city limits.

They’re the majestic symbol of American freedom with a seven-foot wingspan. They are the rulers of the sky and two have built their nest in Pittsburgh’s Hays neighborhood.

The two, which have picked a hillside above the banks of the Monongahela River, have joined what are now more than 150 nesting pairs in the state.

Once threatened with extinction, they’re part of a great resurgence of the mighty bird of prey and the first pair in the City of Pittsburgh.

“Basically we cleaned up our act. There are no more pesticides, the rivers have cleaned up. they’re fish in them and their numbers have exploded. They’re doing very well,” Beth Fife from the Pennsylvania Game Commission said.

They’re an unexpected new attraction for the city, but Fife cautions that could be jeopardized if people get too close.

“Definitely that’s the worst part about eagles – people disturbing them. So, the best thing to do is stay away and watch them from a distance,” Fife said.

You can still get a great view of the eagles nest from the South Side portion of the Allegheny Passage trail, where you can see them with the naked eye or even better with binoculars or a spotting scope.

However, to get there you’ll need to ride or walk about two miles south of the Steelers’ training facility.

From the trail, you might be able to steal a glimpse of the two new residents of Pittsburgh and hopefully in the spring you’ll be seeing one more new addition.

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