BALD EAGLES are found only on the North American Continent and the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in Haines Alaska is unique in that 3,000- 4,000 Bald Eagles converge here each Nov / Dec. They come from far away to fish in the ice free Chilkat River. The river which is glacial fed has deep gravel beds which percolate up warm water keeping parts of the river ice free, hence an easy place to catch fish in the winter. The Alaska Bald Eagle preserve was created in 1982 to protect and perpetuate the world’s largest concentration of Bald Eagles. The Chilkat Valley with its resident eagle population of 300-400 birds becomes an Eagle fantasy land as thousands of Eagles are attracted to the late salmon run. The Eagles however don’t grab the fish out of the river as they are too heavy and they worry about getting wet in the cold. Often times gulls or ravens will drag a fish up out of the river which then provides food for a host of creatures.

Eagles weigh between 9 and 12 pounds with a wing span of up to 7 feet. Females are slightly larger than the males. They can fly at 30mph and can dive at speeds of 100mph. Their keen eyesight allows them to spot fish a mile away. Eagles feed mainly on fish but also eat water fowl, small mammals and carrion. Mating for life their courting behavior begins in early April after which they lay 1-3 eggs hatching in late May / early June. Juveniles Bald Eagle start out all brown in color, by 2-3 they start to get some mottled white spots and by five they are mature Eagles with white heads, tails and yellow beaks and feet. The juveniles are larger and fluffier than the adults which helps them to hold their own in a food fight.

For prints or usage rights contact: Bill Klipp, billklipp@wkimages.net