01-12-2011, 12:10 PM
The annual mid-winter bald eagle survey conducted Jan. 6 along the Missouri River from Bismarck to the Garrison Dam revealed 44 bald eagles, according to Patrick T. Isakson, nongame biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
The aerial survey is conducted nationwide to estimate the number of bald eagles wintering in the lower 48 states. "We count the birds as close to a target date as possible to minimize the chance that birds are counted more than once," Isakson said.<br />
The number of bald eagles wintering in the state generally depends on the amount of open water and availability of prey - fish and waterfowl. "This year's count was slightly above average, a bit of a surprise as waterfowl numbers along the Missouri River are low," Isakson said. "A majority of the eagles counted were in a stretch of river from Stanton to the Garrison Dam, the area with the highest concentration of waterfowl."<br />
Eagles are relatively easy to spot as they prefer to perch in large cottonwood trees along the river. Adult bald eagles have a white head and tail and a dark brown body, while immature bald eagles are brown with irregular white plumage. Golden eagles, which are also counted, are dark in color and have a gold cap on their head.
The aerial survey is conducted nationwide to estimate the number of bald eagles wintering in the lower 48 states. "We count the birds as close to a target date as possible to minimize the chance that birds are counted more than once," Isakson said.<br />
The number of bald eagles wintering in the state generally depends on the amount of open water and availability of prey - fish and waterfowl. "This year's count was slightly above average, a bit of a surprise as waterfowl numbers along the Missouri River are low," Isakson said. "A majority of the eagles counted were in a stretch of river from Stanton to the Garrison Dam, the area with the highest concentration of waterfowl."<br />
Eagles are relatively easy to spot as they prefer to perch in large cottonwood trees along the river. Adult bald eagles have a white head and tail and a dark brown body, while immature bald eagles are brown with irregular white plumage. Golden eagles, which are also counted, are dark in color and have a gold cap on their head.