Bald Eagles Wintering Along the Des Moines River, Iowa

Authors

Neil Sabine, Indian Hills Community College

Document Type

Research

Keywords

Bald Eagle, behavior, habitat loss, habitat use, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Iowa, wintering population

Abstract

Distribution, habitat use, and foraging behavior of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) wintering in southeast Iowa were studied in January - March 1990 and November 1990 - March 1991. Eagles were seen from November through March with the highest numbers in January and February. Adults had shorter winter residence times than immatures and they appeared to be less active during the day. Eagles concentrated their foraging efforts along certain river segments where they fed exclusively on fish. Timber harvesting along the river reduced eagle use and is considered to be the most serious threat to sustaining eagle use of the area. A roost site was believed to be used because of its proximity to foraging areas.

Publication Date

January-June 1996

Journal Title

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

103

Issue

1-2

First Page

29

Last Page

33

Copyright

© Copyright 1996 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Sabine, Neil (1996) "Bald Eagles Wintering Along the Des Moines River, Iowa," Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS, 103(1-2), 29-33.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/jias/vol103/iss1/5