Travis John Branson killed about 3,600 protected birds to sell their parts online from 2015-21
The bald eagle was once considered endangered throughout much of the United States, but has made a comeback.
A US man accused of killing thousands of protected birds has pleaded guilty to conspiring to hunt and traffic bald and golden eagles.
Travis John Branson, 48, shot the birds over several years and sold their parts and feathers on the black market.
On Wednesday, Brandon, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, illegal trafficking of bald and golden eagles, and violations of a law that prohibits inter-state trafficking in illegally possessed wildlife.
Branson was detained in a traffic stop on 13 March 2021 when police found the talons and feathers of a golden eagle in his vehicle.
The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States and is depicted on both the currency and the national seal.
DDT was banned in 1972.According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, just 417 nesting pairs of bald eagles were known to exist in 1963.
Conservation efforts led to a strong comeback and the bird is no longer considered endangered.
Kayakers save pair of eagles drowning in Danube river.
If it comes into effect, Texas' SB4 law could lead to a patchwork of rules across Texas and the US. 7 hrs ago US & Canada.