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James River Bald Eagle Concentration Area
Photographer: Bernard Fisher
Taken: October 11, 2015
Caption: James River Bald Eagle Concentration Area
Additional Description: Virginia's Tidal Rivers are home to one of the largest concentrations of Bald Eagles east of the Mississippi River. The plentiful fish in these waters provide a rich resource that draws eagles from all along the Atlantic Coast. Virginia's Coastal Plain is home to an increasing number of nesting bald eagles with over 730 nesting pairs documented in 2011*. Migrant bald eagles from as far south as Florida and as far north as Canada also depend on this resource.

Bald Eagle concentration areas are areas where both resident breeding bald eagles and their young, as well as migrant birds gather in large communal roosts. The James River Bald Eagle Concentration Area is one such place. Willcox Wharf lies at the heart of the area. The abundant fish and significant conserved lands can draw hundreds of eagles to this stretch of the James River. Continued conservation of the James River Watershed will help ensure that bald eagles continue to thrive here.

• Bald eagles feed primarily on fish, but will eat a variety of prey and even scavenge. They will often steal fish from Osprey.
• Young bald eagles are brown and it takes 5 years for them to develop a white head and tail. Bald eagles in the wild can live up to 25 years.
• Bald eagles weigh from 7-14 pounds and have a 6-8 foot wingspan – females are generally large than males.
• Bald Eagles were listed an Endangered species by Virginia (until 2013) and the Federal government (until 2007). The success of conservation efforts and the recovery of bald eagles populations mean bald eagles no longer require this level of protection. They continue to be protected by state and federal law.
Submitted: October 12, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
Database Locator Identification Number: p333248
File Size: 0.745 Megabytes

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