Located on a loblolly pine tree at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland, our live Eagle Cam
will capture fascinating images of a breeding pair of bald eagles.
General Description: The bald eagle is found near large bodies of water throughout
North America, and is the only eagle unique to the continent. Bald eagles are large raptors with
a length of about 3 feet, a wingspan of 6-7 feet, and a weight of 10-14 lbs. Female bald eagles
are larger than the males, which is common among birds of prey. The adult bald eagle has a white
head and tail, a solid brown body, and yellow bill and feet. Juveniles have blotchy patches of
white on their bodies, but they do not gain the distinctive white head until about 5 years of
age. Bald eagles in the wild can live up to 30 years, but usually average 15 years.
The Chesapeake Bay area has a permanent bald eagle population year-round, but during the winter
the region also hosts transient bald eagles from all along the Atlantic Coast. Currently, bald eagles
nest in 20 of Maryland's 23 counties, with Blackwater Refuge in Dorchester County hosting the largest
concentration of breeding bald eagles on the East Coast, north of Florida.
Eating Behavior: Bald eagles have excellent vision that allows them to identify prey from
long distances. Bald eagles will often hunt from a perch, and once a fish is spotted in the water,
they will glide down over the surface and snatch the fish out with their powerful talons. A bald eagle
can lift prey that weighs up to 4 pounds. Carp, catfish, and eels are popular with bald eagles in the
Bay area, but they also feed on muskrats, rabbits, ducks, snakes, turtles, and carrion. Bald eagles at
Blackwater Refuge are also known to occasionally steal fish from the local ospreys, taking advantage of
the osprey's smaller size and excellent fishing skills.
Nesting Behavior: Bald eagles mate for life and build their nests in tall trees near
rivers, bays, and wetland areas. About 60% of the bald eagle nests in the Chesapeake Bay region
are located in mature loblolly pine trees. Nests are made of sticks and contain grass, pine needles, and
sometimes pieces of cornstalks. Eagles add to their nests each year, and after many
years of successful nest building, their homes may grow to around 10 feet in diameter, 12 feet deep,
with a weight of up to 2 tons. Unlike ospreys, bald eagles are easily disturbed by humans, so eagles
often build nests in more isolated areas. These nests can be 80-110 feet above the ground.
In the fall, adult bald eagles begin preparing their nests for the upcoming breeding
season. Bald eagles on the lower Eastern Shore and in southern
Maryland lay their eggs in late January, while eagles along the upper
Chesapeake Bay and inland lay eggs in late February or early March.
Incubation lasts from 32-36 days, and both
parents take turns tending to the eggs. After hatching, the
young stay in the nest about 12 weeks. In June the young eagles -- which look brownish
black without a
white head -- are ready to leave the nest. Young eagles will stay with their parents
throughout the
summer and achieve complete independence in the fall. Although young eagles roam a
great deal, they
normally return to the same general area where they were born when they are old enough
to raise their own families.
Threats: Bald eagles have few enemies, but at times humans certainly have been one of
them. Like many birds of prey, bald eagles suffered during the 60s and 70s due to the rampant use
of DDT and other dangerous pesticides. Research done at Maryland's Patuxent Research Refuge was
used in Rachel Carson's classic book "Silent Spring," and alerted citizens, scientists, and
politicians to the fact that DDT was harming bird populations. Patuxent scientists discovered
that DDT was working its way up the food chain and thinning the eggshells of raptors, which
made the eggshells crack when the birds sat on them. Fortunately DDT was banned in the U.S. in 1972, and thanks
to the Endangered Species Act, as well as the hard work of many dedicated people,
birds of prey are beginning to rebound.
In 2007, the bald eagle was officially removed from protection under
the Endangered Species Act because the population has recovered; however, bald eagles still have some legal protection
under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald Eagle
Protection Act, although they will lose the habitat protection that was afforded them under the ESA.
Visit our
Eagle Quiz to learn more about bald eagles
Also visit our
Store for bald eagle merchandise
Note: The Friends of Blackwater would like to gratefully acknowledge the efforts and support
of those who have partnered with us and have contributed generously to the
Eagle Cam project. Without their contributions of time, materials, expertise and
funding, bringing you the Eagle Cam would not have been possible.
Choptank Electric Cooperative, AAccurate Tree Service, and WildCam.com have
provided help and expertise to get the images on our website. We would like to especially
thank Ron West who on short notice willingly climbs the tree to install and
adjust the camera. We also thank the Refuge staff, who provided expertise and assistance
with each step of the installation.
And a final thank you to all our cam watchers, who inspired us with their enthusiasm
and who enriched the project with their photos and observations.
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