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Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

This well-known bird of prey, symbolic of the USA, is also a symbol of success. It is a species at risk that is coming back from near extinction. There were less than 10 breeding pairs in Ontario in 1970 and today the population is estimated at 1400 pairs.

COSEWIC Status: Not at risk

COSSARO Status: Special Concern

Southern Ontario (south of French and Mattawa Rivers), Special Concern: Northern Ontario

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

The committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada is a committee of experts who determine the national status of native species thought to be at risk of disappearing from Canada. Members include academics, specialists, Aboriginal people or government, & biologists.

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Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario

The committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario reviews the COSEWIC status reports for species that occur in Ontario, then makes recommendations on the appropriate provincial status of the species. Provincial status is identified on the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List.

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Species at Risk Status

Special Concern

This is a species of special concern because of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events.

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Bald Eagles in flight. Photo Credit: Ted Krug

Have you seen this species at risk? Report your sighting.

Food

• Feed on live or dead fish, aquatic birds, along with smaller mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
• Deer carcasses are a major source of food in Ontario’s winter.
• Keen vision allows them to see prey on the ground or in the water while in flight.
• Strong beaks and sharp talons grasp and carry away their food. They will steal prey of other birds especially Ospreys.

Habits and Reproduction

• Sexual maturity is reached at 4-6 years of age.
• Nests are huge, constructed with sticks usually near the top of a tree and close to water.
• 1-3 eggs are laid and approximately half will survive the first year.

Habitat

• They need large areas of continuous forest cover with large trees for nesting near lakes and rivers.

Threats

• Population hit hard by pesticide use post WWII but are now rebounding.
• Threats that continue include heavy metal contaminants, illegal shooting, accidental trapping and collisions with electrical lines

Conservation Actions

• Please report any sightings of Bald Eagle nests to Parry Sound Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
• Do not use pesticides particularly near water.

Thanks to the official sponsors of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (Bird Studies Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Ontario Field Ornithologists, and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) for supplying Atlas data, and to the thousands of volunteer participants who gathered data for the project.