The Relation of Bald Eagles to Breeding Ducks in New Brunswick

Abstract

The estuary of the St. John River in southern New Brunswick is probably one of the most important summer habitats of the bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus, Linn., in the northeast coastal region. At the same time it is the most important waterfowl breeding ground in the Maritime Provinces, and the local inhabitants are very keen duck hunters. The practice of shooting eagles to protect the ducks has been going on for many years, and the idea that the eagles are serious duck predators is well-entrenched. The true role of the eagle as a predator on breeding ducks in this region was carefully studied through six field sea-