the lands and shores of Vancouver Island. The Bald Eagle, 

however, is not really bald; it actually has white feathers on its head, 

neck, and tail. Bald is a derivation of bald, and old English word

 meaning white. So the eagle was named for it’s white feathers instead

 for a lack of feathers.

Eagles are numerous and these majestic birds are easily viewed

 throughout the area. The best viewing experiences are generally

 along the western shores of Quadra Island in the many trees

 that provide the ideal perch for the daily offerings that come with

 the tide. Campbell River offers many eco wilderness tours where

 you can seek out eagles and other wildlife in their natural wilderness

 settings.

To the local First Nations in this region, the Kwakwala word for Eagle 

is Kwikw. In ceremonies, Eagle down is used for blessing the Big 

House or blessing a totem pole. It also is used for a peace dance 

called Kla'sa'lah. In this dance the Eagle down is put on top of the

 headdress. It is also believed that the Eagle has supernatural powers; 

he is a leader of the wild beings of the woods, a watchman, a guider 

and a protector of predators.

An estimate of the mid-winter population for the province of BC 

is between 20,000 and 30,000 birds. On the coast, Bald Eagles make

 their nest near the seashore, in estuaries, and at the mouths of rivers

 and creeks. Nests are usually placed in coniferous tree crotches, on 

branches next to the trunk, occasionally on branches a short distance 

from the trunk, or near the crown of the tree. These nests are very 

large, sometimes measuring up to six feet in width and weighing

 hundreds of pounds. Bald Eagles may use the same nest year 

after year, adding more twigs and branches each time. One nest was

 found that had been used for 34 years and weighed over two tons!

 Most nest sites have an unobstructed view of the surrounding area, 

and a food source is usually nearby. Along the coast, most nests are 

within 100 m of the shore.

The Bald Eagle is primarily a scavenger rather than a predator, 

and subsists on fish including spawning salmon, "herring balls" 

and surface-feeding fishes. Bald Eagles are a very important part

 of the environment. By eating dead animal matter, they help with

 nature’ clean-up process. Bald Eagles are also hunters so they keep 

animal populations strong. They do this by killing weak, old, and slower 

animals, leaving only the healthiest to survive.

A heavy yellow bill, large powerful talons and white head and tail 

feathers that take about 4 years to attain, characterizes a mature 

eagle. Adult males have a body length of 75-85 cm (2-3 feet) and a 

wingspan of 180-213 cm. (6-7 feet). The female is slightly larger.

 The Bald Eagle can fly 20 to 40 mph in normal flight and can dive 

at speeds over 100 mph. The call of the eagle is distinguishable 

by squeaky cackling with thin squeals. Life span is not known but it 

is estimated to be approximately 50 years.

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