Feature Article October 2, 2003
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The Bald Eagle
One bird that is
worth watching is the Bald Eagle, a bird that elicits from viewers
such adjectives as majestic, noble, huge,
powerful, enormous, and distinctive. An adult with
its white head and tail is unmistakable, but since the young do not
develop this adult status for four to five years, they could be
confused with Golden Eagles. The Golden Eagle may be seen occasionally
in migration, but the Bald Eagle may be seen in breeding season, and,
if there is open water, at all seasons of the year.
Not many years ago it was realized that this bird of prey was endangered by human activity. Thought by some to be a bad bird, it was shot and had nests destroyed. Because it is near the top of the food chain, it became subject to lead poisoning from the lead shot used to hunt ducks and geese. If disturbed while nesting or for the first two weeks after the young are born, it may abandon the nest and eggs, or very young birds. Fortunately the downward spiral of the numbers of the Bald Eagles has been reversed, and while still considered threatened in some areas, it appears to be no longer endangered. With wing spread of more than two metres and eyes that can see three to four times farther than human eyes, it could be thought of as an excellent hunter, but actually it is a clumsy hunter and fisher and other than only occasionally killing fish, it is primarily a scavenger of dead or dying fish, or offal from poultry processing plants, etc. It will steal fish from an Osprey - I have watched this many times as it harasses the Osprey until it is forced to drop the fish, whereupon the eagle will swoop underneath and catch the fish as it falls.
In their large stick nests high in a tree, the female usually lays two eggs, which both parents will incubate. After the birth, one adult will brood and feed the young for about five weeks, at which time the brooding is no longer necessary, and both parents will bring food. The parents will continue to feed until fledging occurs at about ten weeks, for a time after fledging, and then the young are gradually weaned from their parents care.
The eagle feather is significant to all First Nations tribes across Canada. The eagle feather is considered a way of delivering a message to the Creator and it is an honour to receive an eagle feather in recognition of helping one's people.
Interested in learning more? The speaker at the Rideau Valley Field Naturalists' Club meeting on October 5 is Bud Andress from the St. Lawrence Islands National Park, and he will speak on "Bald Eagles and Ospreys of the Thousand Islands". Visitors are welcome the meeting is upstairs at McMartin House, 125 Gore St. E., Perth, at 2 p.m.
Observations: Doug Hawley from Mountain Grove says his hummingbirds left on Sep 10, but then on Sep 26 to 28 there were hummingbirds! Presumably migrants from more northern areas, though possibly some that have been blown back north by the storms of the past few days. Keeping your feeders up late in the season can help such tardy birds. Please share your observations - call Jean at 268-2518.
