Stanley Park Ecology Society - Programs- Urban Wildlife

Species

Adults:

SPES is conducting a study on Bald Eagles in the City of Vancouver
Studies from the 1960's suggest that not more than two pairs nested in the City of Vancouver during that time, one pair in Stanley Park and one near UBC. There are currently at least 8 Bald Eagle nests in the City of Vancouver
An eagle's nest can be 2-3 meters (6 to 10 feet across) and weigh 200 to 900 kilograms (450 to 2000 pounds). Four human adults could comfortably sit in a nest
Bald eagles return and add to the same nest each year
They can reach 30-35 years of age in the wild
An eagle's eye is almost as large as a human's, but its sharpness is at least four times that of a person with perfect vision. Eagles can probably spot a rabbit moving 625 meters (1 mile) away

Adults have distinct white heads, white tail feathers and yellow beaks
Females are larger than males,
Juveniles have mostly brown heads and black beaks, Eagles mature and develop adult feathering gradually,
They develop the distinct white head and tail completely at their breeding age, which is 4 years old

First year with brown head and tail

Colours changing as eagle matures

Adult with yellow beak

Adult with white head and tail, yellow beak

Historical forest, mountain, plains, coastal and river areas
Currently thriving urban population in park, residential and industrial areas of Vancouver

Traditional fish, small mammal and carrion diet
Vancouver's urban bald eagles prey on crows, gulls and rock doves during the nesting season

1-3 (usually 2) eggs are laid
Both parents raise their young
Hatching starts early to late April or May after a 36 day incubation period
If two eggs hatch, usually only the chick that is more aggressive and takes most of the food, survives