Bald
Eagles are not actually bald; the name derives from an older meaning of
"white headed". The adult is mainly brown with a white head and tail.
The sexes are identical in plumage, but females are larger than males.
The beak is large and hooked.
The
Bald Eagle's natural range covers most of North America, including most
of Canada, all of the continental United States, and into northern
Mexico. It is the only sea eagle endemic to North America. Occupying
varied habitats from the bayous of Louisiana to the Sonoran Desert and
the eastern deciduous forests of Quebec, to New England, and heavy
populations along the Pacific Northwest States of the USA and Provinces
of Canada.
The northern
birds are migratory, while southern birds are resident, remaining on
their breeding territory all year. At minimum population, in the 1950s,
it was largely restricted to Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, northern and
eastern Canada, and Florida. Today, they are much more common (almost
attaining their peak numbers pre-colonization in North America), and
nest in every continental state and province in the United States and
Canada.
Northern Bald Eagles
will also congregate in certain locations in winter. From November
until February, one to two thousand birds winter in Squamish, British
Columbia, about halfway between Vancouver and Whistler. Another 5,000 to
8,000 winter in the Harrison and Fraser River area of British Columbia.
This area is between Chilliwack and Harrison Hot Springs. The birds
primarily gather along the BC Rivers as they are attracted by the salmon
spawning in these areas.
If
you would like to photograph these fantastic birds of prey during one
of the most active times in their annual cycle, contact us. We run
annual photography workshops during the November to January time frame
in the lower mainland of British Columbia. Click here to see details on our workshop page
