IDENTITY OF BREEDING BALD EAGLES IN ARIZONA 1991-1995
Gregory L. Beatty, Bald Eagle Management Coordinator James T. Driscoll, Nongame Bird Biologist Nongame Branch, Wildlife Management Division
Technical Report Number 92 Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Program Chief: Terry B. Johnson Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4399 April 1996
RECOMMENDED CITATION Beatty G.L. and J.T. Driscoll. 1996. Identity of breeding bald eagles in Arizona 19911995. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report Number 92. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This project is an extension of specifically funded projects such as the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program and the Arizona Bald Eagle Nest Search. As a result, the support we receive from those projects reflects on our ability to accomplish this important task. We would like to mention the funding agencies and their main representatives and a select few individuals that have indirectly or directly helped us over the years: Army Corp of Engineers--Tedd Carr, Carvel Bass; Arizona State Parks-Bill Ballinger, Dave LaPointe; Bureau of Reclamation--Henry Messing, Bruce Ellis; Bureau of Indian Affairs--Amy Heuslein; Bureau of Land Management--Bob Hall, Fort McDowell Indian Community--Stephanie Ostrom, Clinton Pattea; Liberty Wildlife-Megan Mosby; Maricopa County Parks; Salt River Pima Indian Community--Ivan Makil; Salt River Project--Marcie Greenberg, Teah Nobel; San Carlos Apache Tribe-Amanda Moors, Gloria Notah, Ernest Victor; U.S. Forest Service--Mike Ross, Patti Fenner, Don Pollack; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service--Tom Gatz, Tim Tibbitts, Robert Mesta, Britta Muiznieks; White Mountain Apache Tribe--Joe Jojola, John Caid, Phil Stago, Ron Lupe; BioSystems Analysis Inc.--Grainger Hunt, Ron Jackman, Daniel Driscoll; and the Arizona Game and Fish Department--Mitch Siemens, John Koloszar, Jon Hanna, Rich Glinski, Laurie Ward, Susan Sferra, and Terry Johnson.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE The Arizona Game and Fish Department complies with all provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need this material in an alternative format or believe you have been discriminated against, contact the Deputy Director, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2221 West Greenway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85023 -- (602) 942-3000.
PROJECT FUNDING Funding for this project was provided by: voluntary contributions to Arizona's Nongame Wildlife Checkoff; the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Heritage Fund; Project W-95-M, under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act); Project E5, under Title VI of the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and contributions from the Salt River Project, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Study Area.................................................................................................................................... 2 Methods........................................................................................................................................ 2 Results .......................................................................................................................................... Plumage........................................................................................................................................ Number of individual breeding birds identified .................................................................. Presence or absence of bands.................................................................................................... Replacements and new birds identified.................................................................................. 4 4 4 4 5
Discussion.................................................................................................................................... 5 Recommendations ...................................................................................................................... 7 Literature Cited ........................................................................................................................... 8 Appendix..................................................................................................................................... 10 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Identity of Arizona bald eagles at occupied breeding areas visited, 1991 ........ 10 Table 2. Identity of Arizona bald eagles at occupied breeding areas visited, 1992 ........ 11 Table 3. Identity of Arizona bald eagles at occupied breeding areas visited, 1993 ........ 12 Table 4. Identity of Arizona bald eagles at occupied breeding areas visited, 1994 ........ 13 Table 5. Identity of Arizona bald eagles at occupied breeding areas visited, 1995 ........ 14 Table 6. Replacement or new birds at Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, 1991............. 15 Table 7. Replacement or new birds at Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, 1992............. 16 Table 8. Replacement or new birds at Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, 1993............. 17 Table 9. Replacement or new birds at Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, 1994............. 18 Table 10. Replacement or new birds at Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, 1995........... 19 Table 11. Summary of breeding bald eagles identified in Arizona 1991-1995 ................. 20 Table 12. Summary of replacement or new breeding bald eagles identified in Arizona 1991-1995 .......................................................................................................... 20 Table 13. Identity of breeding eagles banded as nestlings 1991-1995, Arizona ............... 21 Table 14. Summary of the minimum number of identified Arizona breeding eagles, 1991-1995 ............................................................................................................ 22
1
IDENTITY OF BREEDING BALD EAGLES IN ARIZONA 1991-1995
Gregory L. Beatty and James T. Driscoll INTRODUCTION The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1978 as endangered in 43 states (including Arizona) and threatened in 5 others. In August 1995, it was downlisted to threatened in all recovery regions of the lower 48 states (USFWS 1995). It is not federally listed in Alaska and does not occur in Hawaii, but is protected range-wide by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A recovery plan (USFWS 1982) guides management of the southwestern population. From 1977-1985, various biologists attempted to determine the identity and demography of breeding Arizona bald eagles by identifying differences in plumage and later, presence/absence of USFWS bands. These issues were and are important for management and recovery purposes. Nestling eagles were banded with USFWS bands from 1977-1982 (Haywood and Ohmart 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983; Hildebrandt 1981; Hildebrandt and Ohmart 1978; Ohmart and Sell 1980) and from 1983-1985 (Grubb 1986). However, only 51 percent of the known eaglets between 1977-1985 were banded. Early identification efforts were also hampered by an absence of marked breeding birds in the population. Attempts were made to mark nestlings by painting USFWS bands and adding colored wing markers and plastic leg bands, but these marks failed to remain on the eagles until adulthood. From 1987-1990, Hunt et al. (1992) conducted a more comprehensive examination of the identity and demography of Arizona breeding bald eagles. Beginning in 1987, eagle nestlings were banded with riveted colored (blue, green, purple) anodized aluminum visual identification bands (VID) and USFWS bands. In contrast to earlier studies, more breeding areas were known and a larger proportion (87%) of nestlings was banded. Breeding adults that were trapped for telemetering were banded with black VID and USFWS bands. To generate the most information on dynamics of this small population of desert nesting bald eagles, Hunt et al. (1992) recommended that agencies continue to identify breeding eagles and band nestlings. Beginning in 1991, AGFD and USFWS coordinated efforts to continue banding nestlings (Mesta et al. 1992., Driscoll et al. in prep.). AGFD also began to identify as many bald eagles occupying territories as possible. The joint commitment to continue this demography project was outlined in a 1994 Section 6 job description between the two agencies. This interim report describes the identity of adult bald eagles occupying territories observed from 1991-1995 and the process by which this task was accomplished. This
2
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 2
information will be used to complete a detailed demography report on Arizona bald eagles after the 2000 breeding season. STUDY AREA Breeding bald eagles were identified at nests located along rivers and reservoirs throughout Arizona. With the exception of the Luna Breeding Area (BA), in eastern Arizona's Montane-Conifer Forest, all BAs were in the central part of the state, along riparian areas of the Upper and Lower Sonoran Life-Zones and in the transition areas of both zones (Life Zones from Merriam 1898). The most northern site was the Tower BA, above Clarkdale along the Verde River. The most southern site was the Coolidge BA below Coolidge Dam and San Carlos Lake. The most western sites were at Alamo Lake, northwest of Wickenburg, and the most eastern site was at Luna Lake, near Alpine, Arizona. Breeding area elevations ranged from approximately 1080 feet at Alamo Lake to 8000 feet at Luna Lake. The bald eagle's breeding habitat in central Arizona occurs from 1080 to 5640 feet in elevation in riparian areas of the Upper and Lower Sonoran Life Zones and in the transition area of both zones. Brown (1982) described representative vegetation in these zones as including blue paloverde (Cercidium floridium), mesquite (Prosopis spp.), ironwood (Olyneya tesota), saguaro (Carnegia gigantea), teddy bear cholla (Opuntia bigelovii), Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii), Goodding willow (Salix gooddingii), Arizona sycamore (Platanus wrightii), introduced tamarisk or salt cedar (Tamarix pentandra), juniper (Juniperus spp.), and pinyon (Pinus spp.). Luna Lake is the only Arizona bald eagle BA known in Montane-Conifer Forest. Representative vegetation (Brown 1982) of the Montane-Conifer Forest is blue spruce (Picea pungens), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), white fir (Abies concolor), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), ponderosa pine ( inus ponderosa), quaking aspen ( opulus P P tremuloides), Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), and common juniper (Juniperus communis). Riparian vegetation in this BA is narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), thinleaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia), Bebb's willow (Salix bebbiana) and coyote willow (Salix exigua). METHODS We entered BAs just prior to egg-laying or during early incubation to determine the presence or absence of bands and plumage characteristics of resident eagles. We were most likely able to observe both eagles during this time in the event that eagles did not lay eggs or failed during incubation. Some sites in remote locations were not visited due to logistics and/or time constraints. Identities of other eagles were not determined because of nest failures and the subsequent unpredictable location of the bird. We first determined presence or absence of VID and/or USFWS bands with a Questar,
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 3
Bushnell, or Celestron (45x-90x) spotting scope. We made observations in the nest area at distances ranging from 1 km to 150 m. Observation points were determined by the landscape and the eagles' tolerance of observers. Eagles with nests in more remote locations (i.e. East Verde, Blue Point) were often disturbed if we approached closely. Other eagles with nests in more heavily recreated locations (i.e. Fort McDowell, Bartlett) generally allowed us to approach more closely. While banding eaglets, some eagles would fly close enough for an observer with binoculars to get a positive look at the legs. However, the unreliable behavior of the adult eagles during banding, and the inaccuracy of determining the presence/absence of a band on the correct leg, caused this to not be a preferred method. Observations by nestwatchers from the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program (Beatty 1992, Beatty and Driscoll 1993, Beatty et al. 1995a, 1995b) assisted in identifying breeding bald eagles. Nestwatchers were able to confirm our observations or give us information on a bird's identity that we were later able to verify. Because many of these observers were inexperienced, we did not rely solely on their observations. While looking for bands, an eagle's behavior or choice of perches provided a superior or inferior observation of its tarsi. Preening, especially stretching the leg or scratching the head extended the bird's tarsus showing the entire leg. Immediately after landing on a perch, an eagle would often expose its leg by adjusting its footing and/or extending the leg. However, once a bird settled on a perch, feathers would often cover the legs causing us to "wait until just the right moment." Many times only a brief glimpse of the birds' legs was available while waiting for hours in front of the scope. Eagles perched on snags with the sun behind us increased the chances of a positive identification. Conversely, an eagle perched on a foliated branch with the sun positioned behind the bird hindered identification. Additionally, a bright sun causing distorting "heat waves" or being positioned well below a bird's perch (>45o angle) made observations difficult. Plumage of bald eagles occupying territories was determined from Clark and Wheeler (1987), National Geographic Society (1987), and Stalmaster (1987). Eagles in adult plumage were characterized by complete white heads and tails with brown bodies. Eagles in near-adult plumage had brown bodies with white heads and tails mottled with brown. The heads would often have a brown eyestripe with additional mottling giving the appearance of spots on the back and/or top of the head. On the tail, the middle two tail feathers along with a terminal band exhibited the most brown and would stand out as a bird flew overhead. After observing the presence of an eagle's VID band, we read the symbol engraved in the anodized aluminum. We tried to avoid the immediate area of an active nest when attempting to read a symbol during incubation or early nestling stage in case we
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 4
caused an eagle to leave the eggs or young. However, as more banded eagles returned as members of breeding pairs, the time it took to read all the banded birds became more of a concern. Beginning in 1994, it became necessary to read symbols on the bands of eagles while they were incubating eggs or with small nestlings. We then had to be more careful to not disturb the eagles. If positioning and lighting conditions were favorable, a positive read of a symbol could be easily determined at less than 150 m from a perched eagle with a Questar spotting scope. The use of a blind near an eagle's nest was necessary in some cases. We approached the Lake Pleasant male while it was perched at the nest within this distance prior to egg-laying. Two observers were able to confirm the same symbol. After determining that the Tonto eagles had incubated past the hatch date, at first light we covered ourselves with a camouflaged tarp 100 m from a commonly used snag perch. We then read the symbol easily. RESULTS Plumage From 1991 through 1995, we identified 222 plumages of breeding eagles at 29 territories (Tables 1-5). We observed 14 instances of breeding eagles in subadult plumage. The remaining 208 identified plumages were adult. These totals do not represent the actual number of individual eagles breeding throughout this time span, but the year-to-year tally of plumages seen. In two cases banded eagles of known age retained their "near-adult" plumage into their sixth year. The 1992 Sheep female entered the site at four years old and kept an eyestripe until it was six. Also, the six year old San Carlos female was first identified breeding in 1995 with an eyestripe and brown in its tail feathers. Number of individual breeding birds identified Seventy-two individual breeding eagles were positively identified from 1991-1995 (Table 14). Eleven (15%) of them occupied a site at three (n=1) or four years old (n=10). When identified, 33 breeding eagles were unbanded, 13 wore only USFWS bands, 8 wore black VID and USFWS bands placed on as breeding adults, and 18 wore colored VID and USFWS bands placed on them as nestlings. After the Luna breeding eagles were trapped in 1994, their identifying features changed to black VID and USFWS bands. Presence or absence of bands The lowest percentage of banded birds identified in the breeding population was in 1992 (42%) and the highest was in 1995 (59%) (Tables 2, 5, 11). Seventeen unbanded birds entered the breeding population from 1991 to 1995 (Tables 1-10, 12). Three new unbanded birds were identified in 1991, 7 in 1992, 2 in 1993, 4 in 1994, and 1 in 1995.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 5
From 1991 to 1995, 13 eagles wore only USFWS bands (Tables 1-10). Eight wore only USFWS bands in 1991, 1992, and 1995. In 1994, 11 eagles were identified wearing only USFWS bands. No newly USFWS-banded eagles entered the breeding population in 1995. When an eagle was trapped as a breeding adult (Hunt et al. 1992, Beatty et al. 1995), black VID and USFWS bands were placed on its legs. Eight eagles were identified wearing black VID bands in 1991. The number of black VID banded birds in the population dwindled to four in 1994, but climbed back to five in 1995 after we trapped and banded the Luna Lake adults (Tables 1-5, 11). A total of 18 color VID-banded Arizona nestlings entered the breeding population between 1991 and 1995 (Tables 1-13). Recruitment of these eagles increased from 1991 to 1995. In 1991, only one eagle returned to breed. Over the next four years there were 2, 3, 2, and 10 new Arizona VID banded birds that entered the breeding population. Seventeen VID banded recruits existed in the breeding population at the end of the 1995 season. Replacements and new birds identified From 1991 to 1995, we identified 42 "new" bald eagles (Tables 6-10, 12). These were known replacements in existing territories, and pioneers in establishing new BAs or reoccupying historical BAs. Twenty-one birds were confirmed replacements from eagles identified the previous year. Another eagle was a mid-season replacement (Talkalai BA). Six new eagles were confirmed replacements where there was no information from the previous year. Fourteen eagles were identified at seven newly discovered BAs. DISCUSSION If an eagle's plumage is not carefully examined, near-adults can be mistaken for adults. Stalmaster (1987) noted that fourth-year plumage is so similar to the adult "that sometimes only close observation can distinguish the two." We have observed nearadult eagles with heavy eyestripes and banded tails that were easy to distinguish (1992 Sheep female). We have also seen near-adult eagles that, from a distance, first appeared to be in adult plumage, but which proved to be near-adults when we collected a tail feather and observed the bird flying <30 m overhead (1992 Tonto male). Conversely, we have observed adult bald eagles with near-adult plumage "characteristics" and adult birds retaining remnants of their near-adult plumage. The 1987-1992 Ladders female appeared to have a mild eyestripe at a minimum of nine years old. Upon closer examination, the eyestripe was the separation of feathers at the ridge above the eagle's eye and the associated shadow. The Sheep female (1992-1995)
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 6
entered the breeding area at four years old in 1992, but retained an eye-stripe into its sixth year. The 1995 San Carlos female also retained its near-adult plumage at six years old. Adult eagles may appear to have near-adult plumage characteristics if their head is dirty from eating at a large mammal carcass or while submerged in the water from foraging. Because of the unprecedented occurrence of near-adult eagles as members of breeding pairs (Hunt et al. 1992), birds must be examined with care and often on more than one visit to correctly determine their plumage and subsequent age. Similarly, while checking an eagle's leg, birds wearing bands can appear not to have bands, and vice versa. Eagles in less than optimum viewing conditions that were known to possess color VID and USFWS bands have appeared bandless. Even under good viewing conditions biologists have initially been fooled. One bird's band was hidden at the top of its tarsus under feathers, yet the tarsus appeared completely exposed and bandless. Biologists have gone from "thinking" that an eagle had a green color band to determine after three visits that the bird wore no bands. Even trickier than determining plumage, identifying bands requires patience, return visits, and a keen eye. From 1991 to 1995, 18 Arizona bald eagle VID banded nestlings (Hunt et al. 1992, Mesta et al. 1992, Driscoll and Beatty in prep.) returned to become members of an Arizona breeding pair. The number of banded recruits has increased almost annually with 1 new bird in 1991, 2 in 1992, 3 in 1993, 2 new birds in 1994, and 10 in 1995. No Arizona hatched eagles have been recorded breeding outside the state. New single USFWS banded birds have also occurred as replacements in breeding pairs (n=7). Two new single USFWS banded eagles entered the breeding population in 1991, 0 in 1992, 2 in 1993, 3 in 1994, and 0 in 1995. Throughout this study period, 13 eagles wore only a USFWS band. In the future, we expect that single-banded USFWS birds from Arizona will disappear as new members of breeding pairs. Arizona eagles were last banded in this manner between 1977 and 1985. In 1995, Arizona USFWS single-banded eagles were between 10 and 18 years old. The oldest known breeding eagles (there were 2) in Arizona were 16 years old in 1995. So, while eagles from the 1977-1985 cohorts still might enter the breeding population, the chances are diminishing. If the Arizona breeding population is open to out-of-state immigrants, a variety of color-marked, single USFWS banded, or unbanded eagles could enter the breeding population. As in Arizona, biologists working on eagles in other western states are marking eagles with identifying features other than the standard USFWS band. Because of this, we expect the number of single USFWS-banded birds will also soon disappear from the nationwide pool. If non-Arizona color-marked eagles enter the breeding population, we will be able to determine their origin.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 7
Unbanded birds (n=17) are also still entering the breeding population. Although we believe we know every breeding area in the state, there may still be unknown territories that are the source of these birds. Additionally, not all eaglets can be banded every single year. And, of course, if the population is open to immigrants, eagles can be entering Arizona from other states. The passive way to determine the identity of breeding eagles is to visually identify the presence or absence of bands or other distinguishing markers. However, there are presently breeding single USFWS banded eagles whose identity will go unknown if we do not discover the bird's carcass. We very rarely discover dead eagles, so the alternative is to trap these single USFWS banded eagles. We trapped the Luna male and female eagles in 1994 after we noticed a blue patagial marker on the breeding male. The Luna male was the first out-of-state bird (southeast Texas below Houston) documented breeding in Arizona, and part of the first bald eagle pair recorded breeding in the White Mountains of Arizona at nearly 8000 feet. According to our search of the literature, this bald eagle also traveled the longest distance (858 mi = 1380 km) from its natal area to breed. Central Arizona is the origin of all (n=29) other breeding eagles identified in the desert nesting population (Hunt et al. 1992). The origin of Arizona's breeding bald eagles is a central issue to establishing de-listing criteria. Is there immigration into the desert nesting population from other states? If there is immigration into Arizona, at what rate does it occur? Was the eagle that came from Texas a fluke? Is there immigration of Luna Lake produced eagles into the desert population and vice versa? Does Arizona provide breeding eagles for other southwestern states, or is Arizona a sink for immigrants? These answers will only be addressed by a continued efforts to band, trap, and identify Arizona bald eagle nestlings and breeding adults. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.Continue banding all Arizona eaglets through at least 1996 with color VID and USFWS bands. This would represent 10 consecutive years of banding with color VID bands. 2.Continue identifying presence or absence of bands of bald eagles holding territories through 2000. This would represent 10 consecutive years of monitoring Arizona bald eagle demographics in the breeding segment of the population. 3.Attempt to capture breeding bald eagles wearing only USFWS bands. This will help add information on the known origin of breeding Arizona eagles. This
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 8
information may be critical when evaluating the level of isolation (or lack of immigration) in the Arizona breeding population to set recovery goals. 4.Mark captured adults with color bands and USFWS bands for future identification should they not already possess these identification markers. 5.Purchase a Questar spotting scope to make band reading efforts quicker. Presently, a Questar has been borrowed from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to make band reading efforts more accurate. With our two to three person team, we could split our personnel resources to maximize effort and reduce expended time. Work will annually increase as more banded eagles return to breed in the population.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995 LITERATURE CITED
April 1996 Page 9
Beatty, G.L. 1993. Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program summary report 1991-1992. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Beatty, G.L. and J.T. Driscoll. 1994. 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program summary report. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 30. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Beatty G.L., J.T. Driscoll, and M.C. Siemens. 1995a. Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch: 1994 program summary. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 72. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Beatty G.L., J.T. Driscoll, and J.G. Koloszar. 1995b. Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program: 1995 summary report. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 85. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Brown D.E. (ed.). 1982. Biotic communities of the American Southwest - United States and Mexico. University of Arizona. Desert Plants 4:1-342. Clark, W.S. and B.K. Wheeler. 1987. A field guide to the hawks of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. Driscoll, J.T. and G.L. Beatty. 1994. 1993 Arizona bald eagle nest survey. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Driscoll, J.T., G.L. Beatty, and J.D. Hanna 1993. 1992 Arizona bald eagle nest survey report and recommendations. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Driscoll, J.T., G.L. Beatty, and J.G. Koloszar in prep. Discoveries and results from Arizona bald eagle nest climbs: 1993-1995. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Grubb, T.G. 1986. Arizona bald eagle research 1983-1985, final report. U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Ranger Experiment Station, Tempe, Arizona. Haywood, D.D. and R.D. Ohmart. 1980. Study of breeding biology of bald eagles in Arizona: Status report. Report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Endangered Species. Contract No. 14-16-0002-80-217.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 10
Haywood, D.D. and R.D. Ohmart. 1981. Study of breeding biology of bald eagles in Arizona: 1979-1980. Report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Endangered Species. Contract No. 14-16-0002-80-217. Haywood, D.D. and R.D. Ohmart. 1982. Study of breeding biology of bald eagles in Arizona: 1981. Report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Endangered Species. Contract No. 14-16-0002-81-228. Haywood, D.D. and R.D. Ohmart. 1983. Study of breeding biology of bald eagles in Arizona: 1982. Report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Endangered Species. Contract No. 14-16-0002-81-228. Hildebrandt, T.D. 1981. The ecology of breeding southern bald eagles in Arizona, 1977 and 1978. M.S. Thesis, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. Hildebrandt, T.D. and R.D. Ohmart. 1978. Arizona breeding bald eagle investigations. 1977 annual report. Report to the U.S. Forest Service. Contract No. USDA-FS16601-CA. Hunt, W.G., D.E. Driscoll, E.W. Bianchi, and R. E. Jackman. 1992. Ecology of breeding bald eagles in Arizona. Parts A-F. Report to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Contract N.6-CS-30-04470. BioSystems Analysis Inc., Santa Cruz, CA. Merriam, C.H. 1898. Life-zones and crop-zones of the United States. USDA, Division of Biological Survey. Mesta, R., D.E. Driscoll, and G.L. Beatty. 1992. Arizona bald eagle banding report 1991 and 1992. Report submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. National Geographic Society. 1983. Field guide to the birds of North America. National Geographic Society, Washington D.C. Ohmart, R.D. and R.J. Sell. 1980. The bald eagle in the southwest; with special emphasis on the breeding population in Arizona. U.S. Department of the Interior, Water and Power Resources Service. Contract No. BR-14-06-300-2674. Stalmaster, M.V. 1987. The bald eagle. Universe Books, New York, New York. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1982. Bald eagle recovery plan (southwestern population). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Phoenix, Arizona. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995. Endangered and threatened species; bald eagle
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995 reclassification; final rule. Federal Register, 12 July, 1995.
April 1996 Page 11
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995 APPENDIX
Table 1. Identity of Arizona bald eagles at occupied breeding areas visited, 1991. Breeding area Alamo Bartlett Blue Point Cibecue Cliff Coolidge Devil's Post East Verde Ft. McDowell Horse Mesa Horseshoe Ive's Wash Ladders Lone Pine Orme Pinal Pinto Pleasant Redmond 76 Sheep Age1 Adult 7yr 12yr Adult* 12 yr Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult* Adult 4yr* Adult Adult 9yr+ 4yr* 8yr+ 8yr+ Male Left leg Right leg Age None2 USFWS Adult Black R USFWS Adult Black B USFWS Adult* USFWS None Adult Black G USFWS 12yr+ None None Adult ?3 ? Adult ? ? Adult None None 7yr+ None None Adult None None 9yr+ None None Adult None None 8yr+ None None Adult ? ? Adult None USFWS 10yr+ No male in territory 10yr Blue W USFWS Adult* USFWS Black P Adult USFWS None Adult Territory unoccupied Female Left leg None None None None USFWS None ? ? USFWS None USFWS None USFWS None ? USFWS Black G None None None
April 1996 Page 12
Right leg USFWS None USFWS None None None ? ? None None Black D None Black E None ? Black A USFWS None None None
1
Age: Age of adults represents minimum age due to plumage observed from first observation of a marked eagle in a territory, trapping of a banded bird (Hunt et al. 1992), or visual identification band. *BOLD = Known new bird in a territory; 2None = No band on leg; 3? = Unknown.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 13
Table 2. Identity of Arizona bald eagles at occupied breeding areas visited, 1992. Breeding area Alamo Bartlett Blue Point Camp Verde Cibecue Cliff Coolidge East Verde Ft McDowell Horse Mesa Horseshoe Ive's Wash Ladders Orme Pinal Pinto Pleasant Redmond 76 Sheep Tonto Male Left leg None2 None Black B None USFWS Black G None None None None None None None None None No male in territory 5yr Blue W Adult ? 9yr+ USFWS Adult* None 4yr* None Age1 Adult 4yrs* 13yr Adult* Adult 13yr Adult Adult* Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult 10yr+ Right leg USFWS None USFWS None None USFWS None None None None None None None None USFWS USFWS ? None None None Age Adult Adult Adult Adult* Adult 13yr+ Adult Adult 8yr+ Adult ?3 Adult 9yr+ Adult 11yr+ 11yr 4yr* Adult Adult 4yr* 5yr* Female Left leg None None None None None USFWS None None USFWS None ? None USFWS None USFWS Black G None ? None Green C Blue G Right leg USFWS None USFWS None None None None None None None ? None Black E None Black A USFWS None ? None USFWS USFWS
1
Age: Age of adults represents minimum age due to plumage observed from first observation of a marked eagle in a territory, trapping of a banded bird (Hunt et al. 1992), or visual identification band. *BOLD = Known new bird in a territory; 2None = No band on leg; 3? = Unknown.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 14
Table 3. Identity of Arizona bald eagles at occupied breeding areas visited, 1993. Breeding area Alamo Bartlett Blue Point Cibecue Cliff Coolidge East Verde Ft McDowell Horse Mesa Horseshoe Ive's Wash Ladders Orme Pinal Pinto Pleasant Redmond 76 Sheep Table Mt. Tonto Tower Age1 Adult Adult 14yr Adult 14 yr Adult Adult Adult Adult 5yr* Adult Adult Adult 11yr+ Adult* 6yr Adult 10yr+ Adult Adult 6yr* 4yr* Male Left leg None2 None Black B USFWS Black G None None None None USFWS None None None None None Blue W ?3 USFWS None None Blue 3 Purple 8 Right leg USFWS None USFWS None USFWS None None None None Green 3 None None None USFWS USFWS USFWS ? None None None USFWS USFWS Age Adult Adult Adult Adult 14yr+ Adult Adult Adult* Adult Adult* Adult 10yr+ Adult 12yr+ 12yr Adult Adult Adult 5yr Adult 6yr Adult* Female Left leg None None None None USFWS None None None None None None USFWS None USFWS Black G None ? None Green C None Blue G None Right leg USFWS None USFWS None None None None None None USFWS None Black E None Black A USFWS None ? None USFWS None USFWS None
1
Age: Age of adults represents minimum age due to plumage observed from first observation of a marked eagle in a territory, trapping of a banded bird (Hunt et al. 1992), or visual identification band. *BOLD = Known new bird in a territory; 2None = No band on leg; 3? = Unknown.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 15
Table 4. Identity of Arizona bald eagles at occupied breeding areas visited, 1994. Breeding area Alamo Bartlett Blue Point Cibecue Cliff Coolidge East Verde Ft McDowell Horse Mesa Horseshoe Ive's Wash Ladders Luna Orme Pinal Pinto Pleasant Redmond 76 Sheep Table Mt. Talkalai Tonto Tower Age1 Adult Adult 15yr Adult 15yr Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult 6yr* Adult 12yr+ Adult 7yr 7yr* 11yr+ 3yr* Adult Adult* 7yr 5yr Male Left leg None2 None Black B USFWS Black G None None None None ?3 None None USFWS None None None Blue W Blue V USFWS None None None Blue 3 Purple 8 Right leg USFWS None USFWS None USFWS None None None None ? None None None None USFWS USFWS USFWS USFWS None USFWS None None USFWS USFWS Age Adult Adult Adult Adult 15yr+ Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult* Adult* Adult 13yr+ 13yr Adult Adult* Adult 6yr Adult Adult* 7yr Adult Female Left leg None None None None USFWS None None None None None None None None None USFWS Black G None None None Green C None None Blue G None Right leg USFWS None USFWS None None None None None None USFWS None None None None Black A USFWS None USFWS None USFWS None None USFWS None
1
Age: Age of adults represents minimum age due to plumage observed from first observation of a marked eagle in a territory, trapping of a banded bird (Hunt et al. 1992), or visual identification band. *BOLD = Known new bird in a territory; 2None = No band on leg; 3? = Unknown.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 16
Table 5. Identity of Arizona bald eagles at occupied breeding areas visited, 1995. Breeding area Alamo Bartlett Blue Point Box Bar Cibecue Cliff Coolidge East Verde Ft McDowell Horse Mesa Horseshoe Ive's Wash Ladders Luna Orme Pinal Pinto Pleasant Redmond San Carlos 76 Sheep Table Mt. Talkalai Tonto Tower Age1 Adult Adult 16yr 5yr* Adult 16yr Adult Adult Adult 6yr* Adult* 7yr* Adult 7yr Adult 13yr+ 7yr* 8yr 8yr 5yr* 12yr+ 4yr* Adult Adult 8yr 6yr Male Left leg None2 None Black B Blue 1/C USFWS Black G None None None Purple ? None Green 5 None USFWS None None Green 4 Blue W Blue V Blue 1/E USFWS Blue 2/S None None Blue 3 Purple 8 Right leg USFWS None USFWS USFWS None USFWS None None None USFWS None USFWS None Black 0/B None USFWS USFWS USFWS USFWS USFWS None USFWS None None USFWS USFWS Age Adult Adult Adult 4yr* Adult ?3 Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult 4yr* Adult Adult Adult 5yr* 14yr Adult Adult 6yr* Adult 7yr Adult 7yr* 8yr Adult Female Left leg None None None Blue 2/E None ? None None None None None Blue 2/P None USFWS None Blue 1/? Black G None None Purple D None Green C None Green B Blue G None Right leg USFWS None USFWS USFWS None ? None None None None USFWS USFWS None Black 0/A None USFWS USFWS None USFWS USFWS None USFWS None USFWS USFWS None
1
Age: Age of adults represents minimum age due to plumage observed from first observation of a marked eagle in a territory, trapping of a banded bird, or visual identification band (Hunt et al. 1992). *BOLD = Known new bird in a territory; 2None = No band on leg; 3? = Unknown.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 17
Table 6. Replacement or new birds at Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, 1991. Previous bird Year arrived and identified 1991 #1991 1991 Replacement bird
Breeding area Blue Point Cibecue Horseshoe
Sex 1 F M M
Known tenure1 1990 1989-? 1990? 88-90
Age1 #3 A 7+
Ladders
M
1990
6
Pleasant Pleasant
M F
1990 1990
4 A
Identifying feature1 Subadult plumage Replaced injured 1989 male Black VID & USFWS band, telemetry unit USFWS band on right tarsus; from Horseshoe 1985; found dead 12/90 at West Clear Creek Near-adult male USFWS band on left tarsus
Age A2 A A
Identifying feature USFWS band on right tarsus USFWS band on left tarsus No leg bands
1991
4
Unbanded; in near-adult plumage
1991 1991
4 A
Blue VID & USFWS band Unbanded adult
1 2
Sex, known tenure, and identifying features for eagles identified from 1987-1990 are from Hunt et al. (1992). A = eagle of unknown age in adult plumage.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 18
Table 7. Replacement or new birds at Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, 1992. Previous bird Year arrived and identified 1992 Replacement bird
Breeding area Bartlett
Sex 1 M
Camp Verde Camp Verde East Verde
M F M
Pleasant Sheep
F F
Identifying feature1 Black VID & USFWS band, telemetry unit Historical territory not previously occupied Historical territory not previously occupied 1987-89 7+ Black VID & 1990-91? USFWS band, telemetry unit 1991 A Unbanded adult Age1 8 Adult banded right tarsus observed 11/87 1988-? 4 Banded (leg 1989-91? unknown) nearadult replaced male during incubation Territory did not exist Territory did not exist 1988-? 1889-91? A
Known tenure1 1987-91
Age 4
Identifying feature Unbanded; nearadult plumage No leg bands No leg bands No leg bands
1992 1992 #1992
A A A
1992 1992
4 4
Sheep
M
1992
A
Unbanded; nearadult plumage Green VID & USFWS band, telemetry unit Unbanded adult
Tonto Tonto
F M
1992 1992
5 4
Blue VID & USFWS band Unbanded; nearadult plumage
1 2
Sex, known tenure, and identifying features for eagles identified from 1987-1990 are from Hunt et al. (1992). A = eagle of unknown age in adult plumage.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 19
Table 8. Replacement or new birds at Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, 1993. Previous bird Year arrived and identified 1993 1993 #1993 Replacement bird
Breeding area Fort McDowell Horseshoe Horseshoe
Sex 1 F M F
Pinto Tonto Tower Tower
M M F M
Identifying feature1 USFWS band on left tarsus 1991-92 6+ No bands; found dead 10/92 1988-91 8+ Black VID & 1992? USFWS band, telemetry unit Involved in polygynous relationship w/ Pinal male 1987-1992 1992 4 Unbanded; nearadult plumage Historical territory not previously occupied Historical territory not previously occupied Age1 8+
Known tenure1 1989-92
Age A 5yr A
Identifying feature No leg bands Green VID & USFWS band USFWS band on right tarsus USFWS band on left tarsus Blue VID & USFWS band Unbanded adult Purple VID & USFWS band
1993 1993 1993 1993
A 6yr A 4yr
1 2
Sex, known tenure, and identifying features for eagles identified from 1987-1990 are from Hunt et al. (1992). A = eagle of unknown age in adult plumage.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 20
Table 9. Replacement or new birds at Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, 1994. Previous bird Year arrived and identified 1994 Replacement bird
Breeding Area Ladders
Sex 1 F
Known Tenure1 1988-93
Luna
F
Identifying Feature1 Black VID & USFWS band, telemetry unit Territory did not exist Age1 10+
Age A
Identifying Feature No leg bands
1994
A
Luna
M
Territory did not exist
1994
6yr
Redmond Redmond
F M
1987-91 1992-93? 1989-91 1992-93? 1992-93
A A
Unbanded adult Black VID & USFWS band, telemetry unit Unbanded adult
#1994 #1994
A 7yr
No bands; trapped and banded black "0/A" right tarsus and USFWS band (629-36097) left tarsus Trapped, USFWS band left tarsus (629-19689), black band "0/B" right tarsus, blue patagial marker USFWS band on right tarsus Blue VID & USFWS band USFWS band on right tarsus Unbanded adult Unbanded adult
Sheep Talkalai Talkalai
M M F
A
1994 1994 1994
3yr A A
Territory not yet discovered Territory not yet discovered
1 2
Sex, known tenure, and identifying features for eagles identified from 1987-1990 are from Hunt et al. (1992). A = eagle of unknown age in adult plumage.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 21
Table 10. Replacement or new birds at Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, 1995. Previous bird Year arrived and identified 1995 1995 1995 1995 Replacement bird
Breeding Area Box Bar Box Bar Horse Mesa Horseshoe
Sex 1 F M M M
Ive's Wash Ive's Wash Pinal Pinto
M F F M
Known Identifying Tenure1 Age1 Feature1 Historical territory not previously occupied Historical territory not previously occupied 1991-94 A Unbanded adult 1993 5yr Green VID & 1994? (6?) USFWS band telemetry unit 1988-94 A Unbanded adult 1988-94 A Unbanded adult 1987-94 12+ Black VID & USFWS band 1993-94 6+ USFWS band on right tarsus 1994 USFWS band on right tarsus Territory did not exist Territory did not exist 1994 A Unbanded adult 3yr
Age 4yr 5yr 6yr A
Identifying Feature Blue VID & USFWS band Blue VID & USFWS band Purple VID & USFWS band Unbanded adult
1995 1995 1995 1995
7yr 4yr 5yr 7yr
Sheep San Carlos San Carlos Talkalai
M M F F
1995 1995 1995 1995 (19943)
4yr 5yr 6yr A
Green VID & USFWS band Blue VID & USFWS band Blue VID & USFWS band Green VID & USFWS band, telemetry unit Blue VID & USFWS band Blue VID & USFWS band Purple VID & USFWS band 1994 mid-season replacement; green VID & USFWS band, telemetry unit
Sex, known tenure, and identifying features for eagles identified from 1987-1990 are from Hunt et al. (1992). A = eagle of unknown age in adult plumage. 3Talkalai 1995: Female was a 1994 replacement after prior female hatched eaglets; 1995 was its first year breeding.
1 2
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 22
Table 11. Summary of breeding bald eagles identified in Arizona 1991-1995. Age class1 Year Subadult 2 4 1 1 3 1 3 6 7 17 9 8 11 11 22 8 8 9 11 8 17 16 20 22 30 16 22 22 25 21 33 38 42 47 51 Identified VID banded recruitments in population 2 All identified VID banded eagles 3 Identifie d USFWS banded eagles 4 Identifie d banded eagles 5 Identifie d unbande d eagles 6
Identified eagles 7
Adul t 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
1 2
37 36 43 47 48
Age class of breeding eagles identified by plumage and/or known age of banded eagles. Identified breeding eagles with VID bands placed on as nestlings. 3Identified breeding eagles with VID & USFWS bands placed on as nestlings and breeding adults. 4Identified eagles wearing only a USFWS band. 5Identified eagles wearing a band (USFWS or VID and USFWS). 6Identified eagles not wearing a band. 7Identified eagles for which plumage and presence or absence of bands were determined.
Table 12. Summary of replacement or new breeding bald eagles identified in Arizona 1991-1995. Replacement eagles with prior year bird known Year 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 VID1 1 1 2 7 USFWS2 1 1 1 No band3 3 3 1 1 Replacement eagles with prior year bird not known VID 1 USFWS 1 1 1 No band 1 1 Eagles at pioneer or reoccupied breeding areas VID 1 1 4 USFWS 1 No band 3 1 3 -
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
VID = number of replacement or new birds wearing a visual identification band from Arizona. USFWS = number of replacement or new birds wearing only a USFWS band. 3No band = number of replacement or new birds wearing no bands.
1 2
April 1996 Page 23
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 24
Table 13. Identity of breeding eagles banded as nestlings 1991-1995, Arizona. Hatch year 1987 1987 1988 1988 1989 1987 1987 1988 1988 1991 1988 1990 1989 1989 1990 1991 1991 1990
1
Sex M F F M M M M F M F M M F F M F M F
Natal BA Horse Mesa Horseshoe 76 Ladders Ladders Pinal Horse Mesa 76 Ive's Wash Blue Point Orme Horse Mesa Bartlett ? Horse Mesa Ft. McDowell Ladders ?
VID band Blue W Blue G Green C Green 3 Purple 8 Blue reverse 3 Blue V Green B Green 5 Blue 2/P Green 4 Blue 1/E Purple D Purple ? Blue 1/C Blue 2/E Blue 2/S Blue 1/?
USFWS band 62915187 15198 26472 26468 32627 26451 15188 26471 26464 36009 26469 32656 32631 ? 32655 32756 36011 ?
Breeding area Pleasant Tonto Sheep Horseshoe Tower Tonto Redmond Talkalai Ive's Wash Ive's Wash Pinto San Carlos San Carlos Horse Mesa Box Bar Box Bar Sheep Pinal
Year entered 1991 1992 1992 1993 1993 1993 19921994 1995 (19941) 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995
Age of 1st breeding 4 yrs 5 yrs 4 yrs 5 yrs 4 yrs 6 yrs 5-7 yrs 6 yrs 7 yrs 4 yrs 7 yrs 5 yrs 6 yrs 6 yrs 5 yrs 4 yrs 4 yrs 5 yrs
Talkalai female 1995: eagle was a 1994 mid-season replacement after prior female hatched eaglets; 1995 was its first year breeding.
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
April 1996 Page 25
Table 14. Summary of the minimum number of identified Arizona breeding eagles, 1991-1995. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Minimum number of breeders & S S S 4 2 3 2 2 2 S S S S S 6 Ad 7 S S ?4 S S S S S 4 S 2 2 2 2 3 3 5 4 3 2 Ad S S S S Ad S S S 7 S S 5 S S Ad S 3 S S S S S 4 S S S 5 S S S 6 S S S 2 2 3 3 3 4 2 2 4 2
Breeding area Alamo Bartlett Blue Point Box Bar Camp Verde Cibecue Cliff Coolidge East Verde Fort McDowell Horse Mesa Horseshoe Ive's Wash Ladders Lone Pine Luna Orme Pinal Pinto Pleasant Redmond San Carlos 76 Sheep Table Mountain
% Ad 1 73 12
& Ad Ad Ad
% S2 4 S
& S S S
% S S S
& S S S
% S S S
& S S S
% S S S 5
Reoccupied territory Reoccupied site Ad 12 Ad ? Ad Ad Ad Ad 4 Ad Ad Ad Ad ? Ad Ad Ad Ad Ad Ad New pioneer territory ? Ad Pnl5 4 Ad ? Ad 10 Ad Ad Ad S Pnl S ? Ad S S 4 ? S S Ad S ? S S S S ? Ad S S S Ad S S S S S Ad S S S Ad S S ? S S S S S S S S 5 S S S S S S Ad S Ad S S Unoccupied territory S S S S S S ? S S S S S S S S S S Ad
Not checked 6 S S S S 7
New pioneer territory Ad Ad S Ad S 4 S S Ad
Unoccupied
Not checked
Arizona Game and Fish Department Identity of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona 1991-1995
Talkalai Tonto Tower 28 breeding areas 16 Newly discovered territory Pioneer territory 4 5 6 4 19 21 S Ad 21 Ad S S 23 Ad S S 24 S S S 26 7 S S 25
April 1996 Page 26
3 3 2 72
Reoccupied territory 17 19
1 Ad
= adult plumaged bird $5 years old; 2 S = based upon plumage or bands, bird identified is the same as previous year; 3 Number = known age of eagle; 4 ? = identification uncertain; 5 Pnl = Pinal male.
Arizona State Agency Publications
