Eagle Bathing

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

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??

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.

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.

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