Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Migration Timeframe:
Migration for Bald Eagles begins as early as late August.
Numbers quickly increase during
September, peaking by around mid-September. Numbers decrease
through October and November, however, a few continue to
migrate right through December. Note that not all migrate as
some remain in Ontario, especially in areas like the
Nanticoke plant on Lake Erie.
Year |
Peak Week |
Avg |
2002-2007 |
Sep 22-28 |
49 |
Year |
Peak Week |
Count |
2008 |
Sep 29-Oct 05 |
67 |
Year |
Earliest
Obs |
Count |
Year |
Latest
Obs |
Count |
2002-2007 |
Sep 01 2007 |
6 |
2002-2007 |
Dec 01 |
7 |
2008 |
Aug 25 |
2 |
2008 |
Nov 22 |
5 |
Where to Watch:
The best views of Bald Eagles tend to be as they cruise low
along the cliff edge. Experienced observers will also look
for the occasional eagle using the same flight lines as the
Turkey Vultures. Bald Eagles have a very distinctive head-on
flight profile...flat from wingtip to wingtip. In 2006 we
had a group of 8 Bald Eagles (a mix of adults and immatures)
that were all kettling together.
High Counts:
There were no new records set for Bald Eagles for the 2008 season.
1-Year |
Count |
1-Month |
Count |
2007 |
406 |
Sep 2007 |
243 |
1-Day |
Count |
1-Hour |
Count |
Sep 10 2006 |
62 |
Sep 22 2008 |
23 |
Yearly Totals:
The 2008 total count of Bald Eagles was pretty much
average...falling between the 10-year and 5-year averages. (averages are based on 1998-2007 and
2003-2007 counts).
Year |
Count |
Year |
Count |
Year |
Count |
1995 |
66 |
2000 |
135 |
2005 |
352 |
1996 |
101 |
2001 |
97 |
2006 |
362 |
1997 |
58 |
2002 |
168 |
2007 |
406 |
1998 |
89 |
2003 |
125 |
2008 |
269 |
1999 |
114 |
2004 |
218 |
2009 |
N/A |
10-Yr Avg |
5-Yr Avg |
207 |
293 |
Interesting Facts:
-
Bald Eagles don't attain their adult plumage (white head and
tail and brown wings and body) until into their 5th year or
later. Until that point they exhibit a wide variety of
plumages that show mottled white and brown feathering
-
All Bald Eagles are thought to winter
within the North American continent
-
This includes the Atlantic coastal area
and Mississippi River. Several thousands winter along the
Mississippi River from Minneapolis, Minnesota to south of
St. Louis, Missouri
-
Fairly large numbers are also known to
winter along the Ohio River and on larger lakes from
Mississippi east to southern Georgia and especially
Florida. Some winter in Baja but these are probably not
“eastern” birds
-
Males are smaller the females.
Within regional populations, there is no overlap between
sexes. Southern-latitude birds are typically smaller than
northern-latitude birds, particularly those from Alaska
-
The only way for a scientist to tell for sure whether a bald
eagle is male or female is to measure bill and talon lengths
-
Juveniles have longer tails and primary flight feathers
-
An eagle can live anywhere from 20-30 years in the wild and
for up to 60 years in captivity
|
|