Bald Eagle

Great Comeback Story

Bald Eagle Adult

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  has made a fabulous comeback in population numbers since its precipitous low in the 1950s to 1970s.  Its population was in severe decline when scientists discovered the effects of DDT on bird species.  It was discovered that DDT was softening the shells of birds' eggs and eggs were breaking in the nests of large birds causing widespread nest failures and subsequent population declines.  I remember when it was rare to see an eagle.  I remember how happy I was in the early 1970s to see the first Bald Eagle on my sector of the Fredericton Christmas Bird Count.  The species was declared endangered in 1976 and then upgraded to regionally endangered in 1996.  Now we have Bald Eagles flying around our property every day all year long.  The species is more numerous along the St. John River and southern coast but is increasing all over the province.  They are a majestic bird and we are lucky to have them.

Bald Eagle Adult

Adult male and female Bald Eagles look the same.  The female, however, is usually larger.  Their large size (79-94 cm/31-37 in) is impressive.  The wing span is unmatched by any other land bird in New Brunswick (178-229 cm/70-90 in).  The Turkey Vulture comes close but is still smaller than the eagle and its head is much smaller and dark rather than white like the eagle.  The adult bald eagle has a very distinctive white head and tail, a blackish-brown body and very bright yellow bill and feet.  It's eye is a piercing cool yellow.  If you are ever lucky enough to get close to this species you will be amazed at just how large it really is.  

Bald Eagles build huge stick nests in the top of a large tree near water.  Two or three eggs are laid and both adults incubate the eggs for 35 days.  Young leave the nest at around 10-12 weeks of age.  They are fed by the adults for the next year.  We often see young eagles chirping and 'whining' after adults looking for a meal.  They are a vocal species and we enjoy hearing their shrill, high-pitched chittering sounds. 

 

Bald Eagle Nest

It takes a bald eagle 5 years to become an adult.  The juvenile is all dark and the successive stages go through mottling on the wings, body and tail until they attain their adult plumage.  

Bald Eagle Juvenile

The photo above shows a juvenile bird with an all-dark body and wings.  The photo below shows a  second-year bird with significant white showing on its breast.  The eye has turned a greyish-brown or whitish and some mottling is just peaking through on its back.  It shows the beginning of a whitish superciliary line.

Bald Eagle Second Year

The Bald Eagle eats fish, carrion, waterfowl, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and roadkill.  They frequent open water in winter and garbage dumps.  They are opportunists and often try to steal food from other species.  

Bald Eagles can live to be 40 years of age in the wild and longer in captivity.  The 'bald' in its name means white.  It certainly is not featherless on its head.  The original meaning of 'bald' was white.  The Bald Eagle is an important species to the First Nations people of New Brunswick.  Their feathers have spiritual significance.  The Bald Eagle became the symbol of the USA in 1782.

The Bald Eagle is one of our most interesting species of birds.