Eagle Bathing

[Chris Zink]

I was at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (part of the Chesapeake Bay) and saw this eagle bathing in a canal. It was there dipping its head and washing water over its back for over a half hour.

Most of the people I have spoken to have never seen this behavior by an eagle before. How about any of you?

Chris

[John Chardine]

I can't answer your question directly Chris, but I can say that many birds that live in salty areas frequently bathe in fresh water. It seems to be part of a regime to keep plumage clean, nicely knitted up and in good condition. Now, is the canal you speak of fresh water??

[Chris Zink]

It was brackish water, as is the rest of the Chesapeake Bay, which is an estuary. The water that the eagle was in might have had a bit more rainwater in it because it was offset a bit from the bay, but that would just be a guess.

[Mike Tracy]

There is a mated pair that winter here in Orlando that I have observed doing this. I figured (in my own mind) that it might be their way to rid themselves of parasites.

[William Currie]

Hi chris if u go to fredmiranda.com there is a fella there that has many phot/s of eagles bathing them selfs he has made a book of this behavior his name is tony and his handle is image master really neat stuff