Behavioural Inventory of Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Chicks of Northeast Florida

Abstract

Bald Eagles have previously been considered an endangered species in the United States, after populations declined due to DDT pesticide exposure. The species population has since recovered and is no longer endangered, however if populations decline again in the future establishing a behavioural baseline of wild bald eagle chicks may serve as a useful tool for future conservation efforts. In this study, Bald Eagle chick behaviour was surveyed via an online live webcam stream of a nest in Northeastern Florida to document commonly observed behaviours, and their relative frequencies. I found that 6 behaviours of sitting, standing, laying, preening, stretching and feeding were most commonly observed, and one additional alternate breathing pattern of panting was observed. The relative frequencies of the observed behaviours was laying 62%, sitting 20%, feeding 9%, standing 5%, preening 2%, and stretching 2%.