Behavior
and Food Habits at a Bald Eagle Nest in Inland South Carolina
A.
Lawrence Bryan, Jr. 1,*, Lara B . Hopkins 1,2, Carol
S. Eldridge1, I.Lehr Brisbin, Jr. 1,
and Charles H. Jagoe1
Abstract
Parental behavior and prey deliveries at a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus) nest were monitored (628 observation hours) during
three breeding attempts from 1997-1999 at a nest in inland south-central
South Carolina. Attendance patterns varied between adults and among breeding
attempts, with reduced attendance and incubation observed during a failed
attempt. During the three nesting attempts, the female was most often
in attendance and incubated more than the male. The eagle pair averaged
approximately 4 foraging trips per day during the successful 1997 season,
but only 3 trips per day during the 1999 season. Fish and waterfowl comprised
56% and 34% of diet in 1997, respectively, with largemouth bass (Micropterus
salmoides) the major fish prey and American Coots (Fulica americana)
the major avian prey. Fish (primarily bass and sunfish) comprised 91%
of the diet in 1999. Later nesting and reduced waterfowl populations may
have contributed to increased fish prey in 1999.
1 Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC
29802. 2Current address - South Carolina Center for Birds of
Prey, PO Box 1247, Charleston, SC 29402. *Correspondence author
- bryan@srel.edu.
SREL Reprint #2901
Bryan, A.
L., Jr., L. B. Hopkins, C. S. Eldridge, I. L. Brisbin, Jr. and C. H. Jagoe
2005. Behavior and food habits at a bald eagle nest in inland South Carolina.
Southeastern Naturalist 4:459-468.
