US EPA

3183247 

Journal Article 

Southern bald eagle productivity and nest site selection 

Mcewan, LC; Hirth, DH 

1979 

1 

Journal of Wildlife Management
ISSN: 0022-541X
EISSN: 1937-2817 

43 

3 

585-594 

English 

10.2307/3808735 

WOS:A1979HD34300001 

https://www.jstor.org/stable/3808735
Exit
 

Productivity and nesting habitat of the southern bald eagle (Haliaeetus l. leucocephalus) in north-central Florida were analyzed. The productivity of 109 active nests over a 4-year period (1973-76) was 1.14 young/nest, and for 78 successful nests was 1.59 young/nest. Thirty-four sites examined in 1976 were within 3 km of water and were preferentially located in flatwoods and hardwood swamps. Most nests were in dominant pines, and nest trees tended to be located along ecotones. No correlation (P > 0.05) was obtained when production of young was regressed on distance from water or distance between nearest neighbors. Production was independent of habitat within 0.5 km of 61 nests studied during the 1976 nesting season. Production of young was independent of habitat alteration and road use at distances of 0.0-0.5, 0.5-1.0, and 1.0-1.5 km from active nests.