Houston Audubon Society
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Bald Eagle (sub-adult) image courtesy of John Baines.
Family: (Accipitridae) Hawks and Allies
Preferred Habitat: Areas with tall trees, usually close to water.
Seasonal Occurrence: Common in winter; uncommon in summer.
Notes: This photo of a sub-adult Bald Eagle was taken by John Baines, the husband of Helen Baines, a photographer well-known to Bird Gallery visitors. The eagle had perched in a tree in their subdivision close to Richmond, TX. Helen speculates that it was probably in its 4th year and might be an offspring of eagles nesting close to Brazos Bend State Park. There are two subspecies of Bald Eagles, both of which are found on the Upper Texas Coast. The more common is the northern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus) which breeds in the northern United States and Canada and migrates to our region in the winter. The southern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus luecocephalus) is slightly smaller and can be a year-round resident although many depart after mating season. Young eagles take up to five years to acquire adult plumage. The Katy Prairie has many locations where Bald Eagles are relatively easy to find in winter.
Bald Eagle (adult) image courtesy of David McDonald.