Bald Eagle nesting habitat, density, and reproduction in central Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Abstract

A Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) population breeding in the boreal forest region of central Saskatchewan and Manitoba is described.The primary nesting habitat of these eagles is a narrow strip, about 200 yards wide along the shores of the major lakes and rivers.Aerial surveys in 1969 covering 14 subregions of the study area showed that there were 0.083 +0.030 breeding areas per mile of primary habitat searched.We estimated the total population of the Saskatchewan part of the study area to be 1592-7970 at midsummer.It is likely that these eagles contribute significantly to the wintering population in the midwestern United States.The productivity of the population appears to be sufficient for maintenance at the existing level.