Wildlife Division Office, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 

 Augusta, Maine, or (3) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Augusta, Maine. 



Research Needs 



Important data gaps on Maine eagles are reflected by the proposed research 

 objectives in the State's eagle management plan. This research is dependent 

 on continued inventories of breeding and wintering eagles and their habitats. 

 These programs facilitate more effective management and are compatible with 

 guidelines being developed by bald eagle recovery teams. 



The characteristics of suitable nesting and wintering habitat must be 

 documented to permit critical habitat designations. Basic research is needed 

 on winter habitat requirements in Maine (e.g., winter diet, tolerance to human 

 activities, and the existence of nocturnal roosts). Studies of poorly 

 understood aspects of eagle habitat use (e.g., feeding areas, home range, 

 behavior, and tolerance to human proximity) are warranted in threatened 

 habitats. Other life history data (longevity, recruitment, age at first 

 breeding, juvenile dispersal, and age-specific survivorship) can be evaluated 

 only on a long-term basis via banding. Evaluations of causes of mortality and 

 contaminant levels in Maine eagles will be made as carcasses and unhatched 

 eggs are found. Contaminants in food supplies and contributing sources need 

 to be investigated periodically. 



16-49 



10-80 



