![]() ![]() Immediately after hatching, bald eagles have dark eyes, with pink legs and skin and flesh colored talons, their skin darkens to a bluish hue and their legs become yellow within the first 18 to 22 days of their life. These iconic birds go through 4 distinct maturation stages, each comprising one year of their life. ( Andrews and Mosher, 1982 Brown, et al., 1998 Buehler, et al., 1991 Crossley, 2011 Curnutt and Robertson Jr, 1994 Dickinson, 1991 Keister Jr, et al., 1985 Millsap, et al., 2004 Saalfeld and Conway, 2010 Sibley, 2003 Stalmaster and Kaiser, 1998) Due to food availability, these birds may also be spotted near dams and landfills. In the Chesapeake Bay area, these birds often roost in oak trees ( Quercus) and yellow poplars ( Liriodendron tulipifera), generally in woodlots with good canopy cover however, their large body size prevents their movement through closed canopies. Generally, these birds nest in the canopy of tall, coniferous trees, surrounded by smaller trees, however, in southern Florida, mangroves are used instead, they have also been reported nesting on the ground, on cliffs, on cellular phone towers, on electrical poles and in artificial nesting towers. Most populations, specifically those in northern regions, migrate to southern, milder climates annually. Although food availability is important to habitat selection, bald eagles will inhabit areas further from foraging grounds to avoid human interaction. These birds avoid human recreation areas, bald eagles will even forgo feeding if their foraging area is being disturbed by humans. ![]() Although their specific habitats may vary depending on their range, habitat selection depends largely on prey availability, the availability of tall trees and the degree of human disturbance. ( Alderfer, 2006 Birdlife International, 2012 Buehler, 2000 Curnutt and Robertson Jr, 1994 Dickinson, 1991 Gill, 2007 Kaufman, 2000)īald eagles typically prefer areas near large water bodies such as sea coasts, coastal estuaries and inland lakes and rivers, in many areas, these birds are found within 3 km of a water source. These birds may be vagrants in Belize, Bermuda, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands likewise, there have been reports of bald eagle sightings in Ireland, Sweden, Siberia, Greenland and northeastern Asia. Populations may be limited in Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont. Populations are especially concentrated in Florida, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and near some rivers and lakes in the Midwest. These birds are native to Canada, the United States, portions of Mexico and several islands including Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Bald eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are found throughout North America, near large water sources.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |