Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
In contrast to their territorial behavior during the breeding season, bald eagles become quite sociable in winter. They roost communally at night in trees near a reliable food source, with the same trees traditionally used each year. Up to 200 birds have been known to use a single night roost in Oklahoma. Wintering birds often use different sites for feeding and nighttime roosts. A bird occasionally may travel up to 50 miles one way between its feeding area and its night roost, but most feeding areas are located near the roost. Bald eagles tend to feed early in the moming and may not feed every day. They usually detect prey while soaring or from a high perch.
Years ago, many of the bald eagles that wintered in Oklahoma lived on the prairies and fed on carrion found there, particularly buffalo. As the state was settled and land use changed, buffalo disappeared from the prairies and wintering bald eagles no longer congregated here in such large numbers. However, with the construction of numerous reservoirs during the second half of this century, the amount of habitat suitable for the birds increased dramatically. Major reservoirs provide areas of flooded timber that make ideal eagle perches. Open water for fishing usually can be found below a dam even when other areas freeze.
Where you can view bald eagles: All of Oklahoma's major rivers and reservoirs support wintering eagles. They tend to concentrate below reservoir dams, especially where fish that have passed through hydropower turbines are injured or dying. The following areas have good spots for viewing eagles in the winter, and all have public-accesible lands. Check with local officials at these sites to be sure what areas are open to the public.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/okbald/winter.htm
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Page Last Modified: Friday, 01-Feb-2013 19:41:41 EST
Menlo Park, CA [caww54]
