Bald Eagles
Haliaeetus leucocephalus • Icon of the Pacific Northwest
British Columbia boasts one of the largest populations of Bald Eagles in North America, and they are a common sight perched in tall trees overlooking the water around Telegraph Cove. These majestic raptors are year-round residents, serving as both skilled fishers and important scavengers in the marine ecosystem.
Appearance
Adults are easily identifiable by their distinctive white heads and tails contrasting with their dark brown bodies. This iconic plumage doesn't appear until they reach sexual maturity at about 5 years of age.
Juveniles are mottled brown with varying amounts of white on their underwings and tail. They go through several plumage changes, gradually acquiring more white on their heads and tails as they mature.
Females are larger than males, with wingspans reaching up to 2.3 meters and weighing 5.6 kg, while males typically have 2-meter wingspans and weigh about 4.1 kg.
Diet & Hunting
Their primary diet is fish, particularly salmon, which they catch by swooping down and grasping with their powerful talons. Their talons can exert pressure of up to 400 PSI, allowing them to carry fish weighing up to 3 kg.
They are also opportunistic scavengers, feeding on carrion along beaches and stealing catches from other birds. This kleptoparasitic behavior is especially common with Ospreys and other eagles.
During salmon runs, eagles congregate in large numbers along rivers and streams, sometimes with hundreds of birds in a single area feeding on spawned-out salmon.
Nesting
Nest Construction
Bald Eagles often mate for life and build massive nests (aeries) in old-growth trees, typically within 200 meters of water. They prefer tall conifers like Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, and Western red cedar.
They reuse and add material to their nests annually, resulting in some of the largest bird nests in the world. Some nests can reach 4 meters deep, 2.5 meters wide, and weigh over a ton.
Breeding
Breeding season begins in late winter (February-March). Females typically lay 1-3 eggs, which both parents incubate for about 35 days.
Eaglets fledge at 10-12 weeks but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks as they learn to hunt. The first eaglet to hatch often has a survival advantage over its siblings.
Remarkable Adaptations
Vision 4-8 times sharper than humans, able to spot fish from over a kilometer away
Can see ultraviolet light, helping them track fish by UV reflections
Specialized scales on their feet help grip slippery fish
Can fly at speeds up to 160 km/h in dives and 65 km/h in level flight
Waterproof feathers with over 7,000 feathers on their body
Can rotate their heads 270 degrees for excellent field of view
Behavior & Territory
Bald Eagles are generally solitary but gather in large numbers at abundant food sources. Winter congregations can include hundreds of birds at salmon spawning areas.
They maintain territories around their nests, which they defend vigorously during breeding season. Territory size varies based on food availability, ranging from 1-2 square kilometers in productive areas.
Communication includes a surprisingly weak, high-pitched whistling call, unlike the powerful screech often dubbed over them in movies (which is usually a Red-tailed Hawk).
Fascinating Facts
They can live 20-30 years in the wild, with the oldest recorded at 38 years.
Despite their name, they're not actually bald - the white feathers cover their entire head.
They can swim using an overhand breaststroke motion if they catch a fish too heavy to fly with.
Young eagles may travel over 1,000 km in their first year exploring territory.
They've been clocked diving at speeds over 160 km/h.
British Columbia hosts about 20,000 bald eagles, roughly half of Canada's population.
Conservation Success Story
Bald Eagles are one of North America's greatest conservation success stories. After facing near extinction due to DDT pesticide use, hunting, and habitat loss, they've made a remarkable recovery.
The banning of DDT in 1972 and protection under the Endangered Species Act allowed populations to rebound. They were removed from the endangered species list in 2007.
Today, the Pacific Northwest supports healthy populations, though they still face threats from habitat loss, lead poisoning from ammunition in carcasses, and collisions with vehicles and power lines.
Best Viewing Times
Year-round
Present throughout the year with peak numbers during salmon runs (August-October). Look for them perched in tall conifers near water or soaring on thermals during midday.