Re: [Paddlewise] Eagle Diet

> Less interesting than their nuptial habits, but I've been
> noticing some eagle diets. This morning on the Willamette I
> saw a recently butchered sea gull splayed across the top of
> a piling. Reminded me of the eagle I saw in the Deer Group
> ripping one up. Looked pretty fresh, so I figured he'd done
> the dirty work. I thought they scavenged more than hunted.

I presume you are referring to a bald eagle. Baldies are known to catch fish
as well as waterfowl (said to be taking the injured); also muskrat,
squirrel, rabbit. They are  carrion eaters as well, and will feed on
roadkill. In fact, I was once sent to catch an injured bald eagle that was
surviving on winter-dead cattle carcasses on a dairy farm in Alaska. (I was
involved in rehabilitation of injured wild birds. This particular bird
didn't make it though... both wings had been shattered by a bullet.)

Karen

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