Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

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Bald Eagle Migration Update: February 5, 2002:

Today's Report Includes:

Welcome Back to Bald Eagle Biologist Peter Nye

Peter Nye with Eagle E63

We welcome the return of "Eagle Eye" Nye who's back for the 9th season! Nye is one of the top eagle biologists in North America, and we're grateful for the chance to look over his shoulder each year as he conducts his important work. Take a minute to meet Eagle Eye Nye and to learn about his research:

First Winter Range Map and Satellite Data
In our February 19th update we'll discuss the term "winter range." To prepare, plot the latest satellite data from each eagle on your map:

Winter Range Map
as of February 5, 2002

Challenge Question #1
Lessons Learned from Over-wintering Eagles
We're eager to track Nye's eagles as they migrate north this spring, but there's a lot to learn before they go. As Nye says below, "Although these satellite radios are the ideal way to 'follow' eagles as they migrate long distances, they are equally good at providing us detailed information of areas the eagles use while they are wintering here in New York."

Challenge Question #1
"Based on information from his study of over-wintering eagles, what important steps are being taken for eagle conservation in New York?"

(To respond to this question, please follow the steps below.)

Field Notes from Eagle Eye Nye

Hello Journey North 2002 Kids!

Eagle with Satellite Backpack

As we go into this winter, we have seven bald eagles with working satellite radio transmitters; all these are currently being tracked. You can go back and see where each of these were caught and where they traveled to last spring, in preparation for following them this spring.
  • Do you think they will leave at the same time, and go to the same places as they migrate back north this year? Perhaps this season's mild weather will change their behavior?
  • Link to Past Season's Migration Maps and Data

We have been intensively studying bald eagles of the Hudson River in New York for the past three years, a study that has now ended. We learned much, both about these birds' local movements while they were here, as well as their long-distance movements and origins. Although these satellite radios are the ideal way to "follow" eagles as they migrate long distances, they are equally good at providing us detailed information of areas the eagles use while they are wintering here in New York.

The data provided by these Hudson River eagles has given us tremendous information about what are the most important habitats to them here in NY. Based on this study, we have prepared "critical habitat" maps of areas along the Hudson River. We are already using these maps to help manage the land for bald eagles. We want to make sure that their most important habitats are not destroyed or over-used by people. That is exactly why we conduct such research and how we use it.

I'll keep in touch as the winter progresses! In the meantime, ask yourselves what is happening to the wildlife habitat in your state; is it being lost?

Eagle Eye Nye
New York State Dept. Environmental Conservation
Delmar, NY

Bald Eagle Adaptations: From Head to Toe
An ornithologist seeing an eagle for the first time could instantly guess that this bird is a predator, it probably catches fish by plucking them from the water with its feet, it flies long distances without a lot of flapping, nests in trees, and mates for life. How? Fascinating secrets are revealed when we study how an organism's body--and its behavior--are adapted to its environment.

An "adaptation" is a physical or behavioral feature that evolved in response to an organism's environment, due to pressures for survival. How a species looks (its anatomy), as well as how it behaves (how it moves, obtains food, reproduces, responds to danger, etc.) are all based in the species' evolutionary history.

This spring we'll look closely at eagles, from head to toe...

Head and Beak

Eyes

Wings

Body

Feet and Legs

Tail

Each week, we'll pose a Challenge Question related to the next week's featured adaptation. Remember: There's always a WHY behind WHAT you see. So whenever you see an unusual behavior or body part, ask yourself WHY...Are you ready?

Challenge Question #2: Eating on the Road
The Bald Eagle's diet is primarily made up of fish. But diet can vary with the season--and depending on the food available. One common non-fish food eagles enjoy is what we politely refer to as "road-kill." To an eagle, this gory, flattened food is a free meal for the taking. To us it's hard to even look at road-kill--much less to imagine eating it! It makes you wonder:

Challenge Question #2
"How can eagles eat road-kill and other carrion without getting sick? What adaptations might eagles have that make such food safe for them?"

Tips for Teachers: Are YOU Ready for the Migration?
Eagle migration typically begins in March in New York. Until then we'll focus on the eagles' over-wintering behavior. You may want to use this time to develop the mapping skills your students will need to track the migration. Here are some tips and background lessons to help you get ready:

Latitude, Longitude and Distance Traveled
This lesson will help you get comfortable with satellite data, so you'll have a feeling for the distances involved when an eagle's latitude and longitude readings change.

How to Map Satellite Telemetry Data
This lesson includes charts with step-by-step instructions for pinpointing an eagle's latitude and longitude on a map. By putting a transparency on top of your map, an eagle's exact location can be more easily found.

How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:

IMPORTANT: Answer only ONE question in each e-mail message.

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-eagle@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #1 (or #2).
3. In the body of EACH message, answer ONE of the questions above.


The Next Bald Eagle Migration Update Will Be Posted on February 19, 2002

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