Bald eagles, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, feeding on spawning plainfin midshipman, Porichthys notatus, at Crescent Beach, British Columbia

Abstract

We observed Bald Eagles feeding on Plainfin Midshipman near Crescent Beach, British Columbia, in May and June 2001 and 2002. We quantified consumption rates and eagle numbers during this period, illustrating the potential importance of this food source to breeding eagles. Tide height was the only significant factor influencing consumption rates, likely because this variable reflected the availability of midshipman prey.