The Bald Eagle Michael Thomas

Let’s talk a little taxonomy! Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Subfamily “Buteo”…..denoted by broad, rounded wings, heavy body, and broadly fanned tail. Subfamily “Buteo”…..denoted by broad, rounded wings, heavy body, and broadly fanned tail. Also included are some of the hawks, (Red-Tailed, Broad Winged) and the Golden Eagle. Also included are some of the hawks, (Red-Tailed, Broad Winged) and the Golden Eagle. Family “Accipitridae”….or Accipiters Family “Accipitridae”….or Accipiters

Biology and Life History Carnivorous Feeds mainly on fish, but will scavenge and take other prey, such as fawn deer or other birds

Can attain a wingspan of 90” Can attain a wingspan of 90” And a height of 42” And a height of 42” Adults can weigh between 25 and 30 pounds, although a slight percentage of females may get a little heavier (an Alaskan specimen weighed 32 ½ pounds) Adults can weigh between 25 and 30 pounds, although a slight percentage of females may get a little heavier (an Alaskan specimen weighed 32 ½ pounds) Live yrs. Live yrs. Can see 3-4 times better than people Can see 3-4 times better than people

Reproduction Breeds at 4 yrs of age, but may be 5, when full adult plumage is reached. Breeds at 4 yrs of age, but may be 5, when full adult plumage is reached. Mating occurs December through February, with eggs laid in late Feb. or early March. Mating occurs December through February, with eggs laid in late Feb. or early March. Male and Female both incubate Male and Female both incubate Usually hatch in days Usually hatch in days Young sprout feathers at 4-5 weeks, leave nest at 9-12 weeks Young sprout feathers at 4-5 weeks, leave nest at 9-12 weeks Mate for life, but if a partner dies, a new mate will be selected Mate for life, but if a partner dies, a new mate will be selected Mated pairs may not reproduce every year Mated pairs may not reproduce every year Have spiraling dance for courtship Have spiraling dance for courtship

Nest Selection Nests are used year after year by breeding pairs Nests are used year after year by breeding pairs The largest nest of any bird in North America…….nests grows larger yearly with the addition of new material….may weigh hundreds of pounds…..with nests up to 2 tons recorded The largest nest of any bird in North America…….nests grows larger yearly with the addition of new material….may weigh hundreds of pounds…..with nests up to 2 tons recorded Usually found in tall trees associated with shoreline, but will use cliff faces if appropriate ledges are available Usually found in tall trees associated with shoreline, but will use cliff faces if appropriate ledges are available Are NOT tolerant of human activity Are NOT tolerant of human activity Very territorial Very territorial

Very few natural predators Very few natural predators –Large size and top of the food chain –Man??? Horned and Snowy owls may take some young birds

Distribution All of the continental U.S. and most of Canada, ending southerly along the Rio Grande river In Kentucky, most pairs nest along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. But some are located at Land Between the Lakes, Rolling Fork River, Rough River Lake, Yatesville Lake, and Laurel River Lake Migrating Eagles are seen across the state Are associated with wetlands because riverine, lucastrine, and palustrine systems have proven to be the primary habitat selected for

Migration Interior continental eagles migrate south to the central and southern U.S. Coastal and Great Lakes eagles usually do not migrate….more feeding capability due to no ice- up

Threats MAN!!! MAN!!! –Shooting takes em’ out……$1000 a bird –Habitat loss…..let’s build some condos and a golf course –Chemicals…..pretty apples –Disturbance…..dang tourists

What seems to have been the problem? First survey conducted in 1963 to assess the population. Why so long?? First survey conducted in 1963 to assess the population. Why so long?? Revealed that there were less than 500 breeding pairs left in the wild. Revealed that there were less than 500 breeding pairs left in the wild. –Lacey Act –Migratory Bird Treaty Act –Bald Eagle Protection Act

Things were lookin’ grim!! listed as endangered in 48 states Threatened in five (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Washington, and Oregon) Less than 250 “territories” were identified in 1977 DDT was the chemical of choice for Agriculture and had been for a decade

Restoration Efforts Began The U.S.F.W.S. initiated Eagle recovery measures The U.S.F.W.S. initiated Eagle recovery measures –With E.S.A. comes habitat acquisition –Habitat protection…….anywhere they build a nest is pretty much now a sanctuary –Total protection?? That sure is a pretty head- dress there chief. –Established recovery regions…..

Recovery Regions and their goals Chesapeake recovery region: nesting pairs w/1.1 young per pair for 5 years Northern recovery region: 1200 breeding territories w/1.0 ypp Pacific recovery region: 800 breeding territories w/1.0 ypp Southeast recovery region: nesting pairs w/1.1 ypp Southwest recovery region: nesting pairs w/1.0 ypp

Did the protection and mgt. work? 2239 breeding pairs in in in in 1995 Iowa had 35 pairs in 1995 compared to 1 in 1985

Things are lookin’ better!!! All goals were met in 1992 The Bald Eagle was de-listed to Threatened status Aug breeding pairs at that time Population steady or growing in all recovery regions at the present…….except for the southwest

How could have restoration efforts been so successful? How could have restoration efforts been so successful? –Politics –Huge media campaign –NPO involvement And this led to…… And this led to…… –Ban on DDT and a closer look at other pesticides, fungicides, etc. –Increased public awareness of endangered specie biology (Think about just how important the Bald Eagle may be in that respect alone) –Increased biological awareness of the impacts of man-made chemicals

Let’s sum it up The Bald Eagle population is in much better shape than that of just a couple decades ago. (late 70’s) The Bald Eagle population is in much better shape than that of just a couple decades ago. (late 70’s) The plight of the Bald Eagle was very important in the fact that it awoke the public to the drastic effects of man on the planet (continental loss) The plight of the Bald Eagle was very important in the fact that it awoke the public to the drastic effects of man on the planet (continental loss)

Big Thanks To…… Google Google KDFWR “AWAKE” program KDFWR “AWAKE” program Eaglesforever.com Eaglesforever.com The Audubon Society The Audubon Society

Any Questions?