eaglet photo

[mary jo adams]

I've just uploaded a recent photo of the young eagle along the
Mackinaw. I am probably biased, but I think she's gorgous! I was
able to observe her this morning stealing a fish from a very unhappy
Great Blue Heron, who flew off squawking loudly in protest! I've been
repeatedly asked if this eagle and/or the parents are going to leave
the area. Since I'm not a raptor expert, I'm not sure of what to
reply, but I am making the assumption that as long as there is an
adequate food supply, they would stay here. Does anyone know if the
nesting eagles along the Illinois River stay here all year long?

Mary Jo Adams, Mackinaw River, Woodford County

[Matthew Winks]

Thanks for sharing the photo Mary Jo.

In case anybody had problems finding the eaglet photo.  I've included a tiny url below for it and attached it.

Eaglet Photo:  http://tiny.cc/exzh9

I don't know the answer to Mary Jo's questions about the eagles residency.  But didn't they winter in that area last year?

Given:  Do you know if some Bald Eagles are know to be year residents?

Matthew Winks

> Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:14:42 -0700
> Subject: eaglet photo
> From: mja...@ilstu.edu
> To: ci...@googlegroups.com

> --
> List the county in the subject line for sightings.
> Sign your posts with first and last name.
> To post to this group, send email to CI...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/CILB

[R. Given Harper]

Matthew and Mary Jo,

Thanks for the eagle photo.  I suspect that the adult eagles will remain in the area as long as there is sufficient food for them.  Historically, bald eagles have remained around their nests year-round in the Midwestern U.S.  The juvenile eagle may be dependent on its parents for food from 1.5 - 2.5 months, and then it will likely disperse from the nest area.  Juvenile eagles typically start foraging by first scavenging and then capturing their own fish.  They also will steal food (as it did from the great-blue heron), which is perhaps a reason why Ben Franklin did not want the bald eagle as our national symbol.  Immature eagles frequently steal fish from other immatures and from adult eagles on their Midwestern wintering grounds.

Given Harper

[Jane]

Thanks to Mary Jo for keeping us up to date on the eagle family. And
thanks to Dr. Harper for helping us better understand eagle behavior,
and to Mathew for keeping this forum going! Central Illinois has such
potential for habitat restoration. I love knowing the Mackinaw River
valley is able to support nesting eagles.

Jane

> > > From: mjad...@ilstu.edu