Southbound bald eagles feed in shallow Raccoon River near Perry

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About two dozens bald eagles have been fishing in the shallow open water of the Raccoon River near the Perry boat ramp. Photo by Ray Harden

About two dozens bald eagles have been fishing in the shallow open water of the Raccoon River near the Perry boat ramp.

The birds are fishing in the shallow open water where the river is not frozen, a respite in their southern migration.

Some of the birds appear to be mated pairs. Female bald eagles are larger than the males, and some of the adult pairs have juvenile birds nearby.

Juvenile bald eagles are mostly brown with patches of white on their backs.

The eagles were later coming south this year due to the warmer weather in Canada and Minnesota.

6 COMMENTS

  1. Eagles have a local migration. They need open water. When the lakes and rivers freeze in the north, they work their way south in search of food, mainly fish. They don’t migrate thousands of miles like some birds.

  2. It’s good thing that some think bald eagles are prettier than our turkey vultures or the city would be obtaining permission to shoot them.

    • Even way up in flight, turkey buzzards are hard to take for anything else. Their shape is distinctive and virtually unmistakable. On the other hand, without being able to make out the plumage and size, all manner of hawks and eagles can be indistinguishable high in flight.

  3. I was happy to see this type article in the paper. It’s great to realize that magnificent birds like these grace our town on their way South!

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