Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus - Florida Fish and ...

1 Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus This profile is a short summary of information to introduce the species and does not summarize all available information on the species. Listing status: USFWS = Removed from listing under the Endangered Species Act in 2007. Protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act FWC = removed from list in April 2008, protected by species specific rule Trend: Bald Eagle populations in the contiguous 48 states were declining sharply throughout most of the 20th century. After protection under the Endangered Species Act and a ban on the pesticide DDT, populations stabilized.

2 After 1989. populations began to increase rapidly leading to delisting in August of 2007. The Florida population has increased > 300 % since 1980. Threats: The primary threats to bald Eagle populations are development in nesting territories and poor water quality. For more detail, see the FWC's Bald Eagle Biological Status Report at Notes: FWC Bald Eagle Management Plan approved April 9, 2008 (see link below). Prioritization information: PLCP PVA proportion of pops modeled to persist on public lands = PLCP PVA probability of a 50% decline on public lands = Millsap biological score = Millsap supplemental score = 10.

3 Legacy population trend = Increasing Legacy population status = Medium Summary: While the bald Eagle does not trigger any of these parameters, the bald Eagle is of significant cultural value to the public. There are also specific legal protections and requirements to consider when managing the bald Eagle . Life History: Bald eagles historically occurred throughout the contiguous United States and Alaska. The species experienced severe population declines in the lower 48. States between the 1870s and the 1970's. However, recently bald eagles have rebounded and re-established breeding territories in each of the lower 48 states.

4 The largest North American breeding populations are in Alaska and Canada, but there are significant bald Eagle populations in Florida , the Pacific Northwest, the Greater Yellowstone area, the Great Lakes states, and the Chesapeake Bay region. Bald Eagle distribution varies seasonally. Bald eagles that nest in southern latitudes frequently move northward in late spring and early summer, summering as far north as Canada. Most eagles that breed at northern latitudes migrate southward during winter, or to coastal areas where waters remain unfrozen.

5 Migrants frequently concentrate in large numbers at sites where food is abundant 1. and frequently roost communally. In some cases, concentration areas are used year-round: in summer by southern eagles and in winter by northern eagles. Juvenile bald eagles have mottled brown and white plumage, gradually acquiring their dark brown body and distinctive white head and tail as they mature. Bald eagles generally attain adult plumage by 5 years of age. Most are capable of breeding at 4 or 5 years of age, but in healthy populations they may not start breeding until much older.

6 Bald eagles may live 15 to 25 years in the wild. Adults weigh 8 to 14 pounds and have wingspans of 5 to 8 feet. Those in the northern range are larger than those in the south, and females are larger than males. Nest-building begins 1 3 months prior to egg-laying. In Florida , nest- building and maintenance begin late September or early October. Generally only 1 brood is produced each season, but in Florida the breeding season is prolonged, with incubation beginning as early as October and as late as April. Most incubation is initiated in December and January.

7 Replacement clutches are possible if eggs are destroyed during incubation. Clutches are generally 1 3 eggs with two most common. Incubation begins after first egg is laid and young hatch over a period of several days. Females do the majority of incubation, but the male also participates. Incubation lasts 33-35 days. Fledglings begin to fly 10-12. weeks after hatching and leave the nest shortly after flight begins. Fledglings remain with the parents for about 6 weeks before they disperse and become independent. Bald eagles obtain food by direct capture, scavenging (use of dead prey), and stealing food from other animals, especially osprey.

8 Adults are more apt than immatures to capture live prey because of superior foraging ability and experience. They hunt from perches or while soaring over suitable habitat. Most prey is taken on the wing ( , fish, waterfowl, small mammals) but success varies greatly. Carrion of fish, birds, and mammals is eaten extensively wherever encountered at sites that provide disturbance-free access from the ground. In Florida , nesting Bald Eagles fed predominantly on fish from 10 species (brown bullhead [Ictalurus nebulosus] and catfish composed 59% of total prey remains), 12 bird species (American Coot [Fulica americana] composed 19% of total), 9 mammal species, and 3 reptile species (McEwan and Hirth 1980).

9 Preferred Habitat Parameters: Management should protect nest trees from catastrophic wildfire or disease outbreaks ( regular prescribed fire, timber thinning). Clearcutting should not be done within 330 ft of a nest tree and thinnings should preserve large mature trees as alternate sites in case of loss of nest tree. Minimum Habitat Requirement: From PVA: none determined From Literature: Active nesting territory contains 397 794 acres (1 2 km2). Best management Practices: See National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines and FWC. Management Plan below.

10 2. Monitoring Protocol: Monitoring Programs: Florida monitors Eagle nests annually by conducting aerial surveys to identify occupied nesting territories. PVA Summary: The Wildlife Habitat Conservation Needs in Florida project created a PVA ( ) for bald eagles under two statewide scenarios; one considerate of all potential habitat and one that only considered managed ( , public) lands. Both the all potential habitat and managed lands habitat models consisted of one metapopulation. Based upon data primarily from the South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan ( Fish &.)