These eagles, while certainly not captive or tame are not exactly the profoundly wary birds of the wild either. They congregate in large numbers during the winter months in the eastern Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. They are attracted by the offal discarded for their benefit by local poultry farmers. The sight of large numbers of these fierce looking creatures has become a winter attraction for birders and photographers.

 

 

People have reported as many as thirty birds in a single tree but this is the most I've seen at one time. Notice the fearless crow on the right hand side branches.

 

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Mature birds with the famous "bald" head.

"Hmmm . . . the farmer's cat."

 

This particular guy was clearly sizing up the farmer's cat! I have no idea if cats are occasionally lost in this way but I thought this bird was going to "go for it" as the cat walked across the yard. He didn't but he sure is giving him the eye. The cat, who must have seen any number of eagles in his day, was either unawares or knew the birds were no threat.

Immature birds

Bald eagles in this juvenile plumage are frequently confused with the Golden Eagles of western North America or are thought to be female birds. In actuality both sexes carry the characteristic white head as adults.

 

 

 

 

This bird is moulting into the white head characteristic of the adult population. This occurs at four to five years of age my reference books tell me.

Click here for image of Golden eagle chick "in the wild"

 

 

 

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