Question

Explain the factors that influence the energy balance of a bald eagle

Answer 1

Energy balance is the relation between energy (food calories) taken in and energy used up for physical and biological activities. Normally bald eagles forage mainly on fish in water bodies like river, ponds, canals etc. During winter when these water bodies are covered with ice, prey availability becomes very low. They will have to move to ice-free water bodies move to upland habitats to feed on fishes that are not commonly eaten by them, or will hunt some terrestrial prey or keep on migrating until they find suitable feeding grounds. Harsh weather condition in winter, stress associated with migration, reduced availability of food etc will put a negative energy balance on bald eagles.