Bald Eagle
Migration Update: April 29, 2009
Welcome to the 2009 Journey North Bald Eagle Study!


A High-flying Gymnast?
What is this Bald Eagle Doing? >>
Maps and Data

Glancing at today’s map we see a couple of things clearly: first, the birds have really spread across the NE quadrant of the map, and the long distance fliers have continued to move.

Try to imagine the view from above as the birds search out safe and productive habitat this week.

What are the maps showing us this week? U27 and S28 are secure on their nests, as you know. U25 appears to be homing in on her area. She remains generally in central Labrador. And finally, adult female U21 continues to move mostly westward in Ontario. Will this be "home" for her? We will know more as we compare maps from 2006 this week.

  • All Eagles: Map
  • All Eagles: Data
  • Map Questions >>

Questions about this week's map >>
Compare: Migration Behavior

Thanks to satellite radios that can operate for multiple years, we have learned a great deal about 'fidelity' to critical habitats along the migration routes.

Satellite technology allows us to answer the question: Do the birds remain faithful to their migration pathways from year to year? Explore 2 maps and decide for yourself.

  • Do Bald Eagles Remain Faithful to their Migration Paths? >>
Explore: Eagle Adaptations and Human Inventions

The Match Game
The most important part of a human body is the brain, which allows us to solve a lot of problems and adapt to a lot of different environments. Let's think of some human inventions and how they help us do some of the things eagles can do because of their physical adaptations.

  • Lesson and Worksheet >>

Photo: Jon McRay
Focus: Who Does What
Eagles will soon be doing the serious work of raising another generation. Although it's not written down anywhere, male and female eagles know exactly what their duties are when it comes to raising young.

What do females do? What do males do? Are there jobs they BOTH do? Team up with your classmates to read then teach each other!

  • Chore Chart >>
    As you read keep track of who does what.
Classmates team up: Read—then teach each other.

Nesting

  • Who picks the nesting tree?
  • Who builds the nest?
  • What does it look like?
  • Who defends the nest?

Credit: WVEC.com Norfolk Botanic Garden Eaglecam

Incubation

  • How many eggs?
  • Who incubates?
  • How long incubated?
  • Special body adaptations for brooding?

Nestlings

  • Who stays in nest?
  • How do nestlings stay cool?
  • Who brings food? How often?
  • How long in nest?


Credit: Peter Nye

Fledglings

  • Who feeds fledglings?
  • How big are they when they fledge?
  • Who feeds and protects when they fall from nest?
Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! >>

Will you take a few minutes to complete our Year-end Evaluation?

With your help, we can we document Journey North's reach, impact and value. We need comments like yours to keep the program going and growing.

Thank you! >>

Year-end Evaluation
Links: This Week's Eagle Resources
  • Active NestCams:
    • Cornell Lab of Ornithology >>
    • Sutton County >>
    • WVEC Norfolk Botanical Garden >>
  • Explore: Eagle Map Archives>>
  • Eagle Glossary Words: fidelity, fledge, brooding, brood patch >>
  • Lessons, Activities, and Resources >>
  • Journey North for Kids: Eagles >>
Journal cover
Eagle Journal >>
More Eagle Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Final Bald Eagle Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 5, 2009.

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