Get to know more about the majestic eagles, which are a common sight on P.E.I.
P.E.I.'s bald eagles
Explore the majesty of these fascinating creatures, now plentiful on P.E.I.
by Brian McInnis
March 8, 2020
I have been photographing bald eagles since I retired two years ago, and in that short time I have come to admire their flying, hunting skills and patience. I have watched them perched in a tree or on river ice just observing their surroundings and I knew there was nothing that escaped their gaze. They know exactly what is happening within their environment. Their grace is something to behold as they lift off from a tree, glide and then move their huge wings as they take flight.
What I really marvel at is their beauty. They are a beautiful bird and it is no wonder that the Mi'kmaq regard them as sacred.
A family portrait including Daisy, left, and her mate, centre-right, along with several years of their young, hanging out in Murray River late one afternoon. In 2018 Daisy was found injured and entangled in fishing line so was taken for rehabilitation to the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Hilden, N.S. After 10 months she was released in Murray River. The woman who tended to Daisy positively identified her from this photo. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
According to the 2007 State of Wildlife Report for Prince Edward Island, from 1944-1966 there were no nesting pairs here. An active nest was found in the Brudenell area in 1967, but the next year one of the eagles was shot and it was a decade until another active nest was found. In 1982, one more was found near Savage Harbour and since then the population has steadily increased.
As of 2006, there were 50 breeding pairs of bald eagles and officials with the Department of Fish and Wildlife estimate there are 65 breeding pairs now. The actual number of birds is higher because juveniles are not counted in breeding pairs.
Daisy takes to the skies after being released in Murray River in 2018. She made several passes and high above her were two juveniles that observers hoped were her offspring. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
A pair surveys surroundings that included North Rustico, Rustico Harbour and a lot of the North Shore. An eagle's home range would be a few square kilometres, but the birds would use an area larger than that and that is what they would defend from other eagles. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
Despite being a huge bird, eagles do not have what sounds like a throaty call. It could be called a high-pitched squeak. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
The photographer is annoying this eagle, although there were no young in the nest. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
Fiep de Bie, technician with AVC Wildlife Service at UPEI, watches as Borden, a juvenile bald eagle, takes flight after being released in Borden-Carleton in the fall of 2019. Its parents built a nest atop a Maritime Electric transmission tower, but it was a danger to the birds and the tower, so the juvenile was removed and taken to the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre where it stayed until its release. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
Borden wasted no time taking to the air after it was released in Border/Carleton. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
There is nothing like goose for supper for this bird. As spring nears and the weather warms, the eagles will roam farther as will waterfowl, which they typically prey on during the winter. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
A juvenile perches in a tree moments after feeding on a dead Canada goose. During winter, eagles tend to congregate where ducks, geese and other birds gather where there is open water. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
A group of Canada geese keeps a wary eye on a juvenile flying by. Waterfowl are a source of food for the bald eagles during the winter. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
A juvenile comes in to protect the Canada goose it just killed at MacLure's Pond near Murray River in eastern P.E.I. Waterfowl spend the winter in the area due to open water and that attracts the bald eagles. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
This bird displays fantastic flying skills as it manoeuvres around the branches. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
A canvas bag containing a weeks-old bald eagle is lowered about 21 metres to the ground from its nest so it can be banded. Some eagles' nests can weigh several tonnes because the nests are used each breeding season and the adults do renovations each year. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
Gerald MacDougall, retired manager of the province's Fish and Wildlife Divisi, holds the feet of a weeks-old bald eagle that was taken from its nest to be banded. Bald eagles are not considered an endangered species so regular banding has been discontinued, but he says the birds are still protected, however some people still shoot them and other protected bird species. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
This old stump near Dalvay in the P.E.I. National Park shows the marks of eagles' talons. The talons of a mature bald eagle are five centimetres, or two inches, long and are capable of being incredibly forceful. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
Crows can be fearless when eagles are around. The black birds will chase and harass bald eagles (or any bird of prey) if it enters the crow's territory in a effort to protect their nesting area. Crows also have no qualms about stealing an eagle's lunch if the opportunity presents itself. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
Brian McInnis
Brian McInnis is a Charlottetown-based freelance photographer.
Besides CBC, he has done photo work for The Canadian Press, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Tourism P.E.I., City of Charlottetown, Downtown Charlottetown Inc. and many other national newspapers and magazines.
