Bird
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
Common Names
American Eagle, White-headed Eagle
Habitat
Near rivers, lakes, and coastal areas throughout the expedition route
First Observed
1804-08-12
Observed At
Along the Missouri River near present-day Council Bluffs, Iowa
Bald eagles were frequently observed along the rivers throughout the journey. Lewis distinguished between the bald eagle and the “Callamet Eagle” (golden eagle), noting their fishing habits and nesting along the Missouri and Columbia Rivers. The expedition members regarded the eagle as a majestic symbol of the wilderness they were traversing.
Journal References
15 journal entries mention Bald Eagle
Oct
10
1804
Clark: October 10, 1804
...ighting ravin 2d Chief Po-casse (Hay) & the 3rd
Piaheto or Eagles Featherafter the Council was over we Shot the Air
gun, which astonished them, & they all left us,...
Apr
13
1805
Clark: April 13, 1805
...we camped on the S. S. in a butifull Plain. I observe more
bald Eagles on this part of the Missouri than usial also a Small Hawk
Killed 2 Antelopes in the river to day ...
Apr
13
1805
Lewis: April 13, 1805
...bout to make war uppon a neighbouring nation.
Oserved more bald eagles on this part of the Missouri than we have
previously seen saw the small hawk, frequently called t...
Apr
27
1805
Lewis: April 27, 1805
...ith two or three Magpies nests within a
short distance.The bald Eagle are more abundant here than I ever
observed them in any part of the country.
May
7
1805
Lewis: May 7, 1805
...e since the 28th Ulto.we continue to see a
great number of bald Eagles, I presume they must feed on the carcases of
dead anamals, for I see no fishing hawks to supply t...
Jul
11
1805
Lewis: July 11, 1805
... Eagles today they are a half as large again as
the common bald Eagle of this country. I do not think the bald Eagle here
qute so large as those of the U States; the gr...
Aug
10
1805
Lewis: August 10, 1805
...ely on both sides
just below these mountains I saw several bald Eagles and two large white
headed fishinghawks boath these birds were the same common to our country.
fr...
Nov
29
1805
Clark: November 29, 1805
...s kinds, the large Buzzard with white wings, grey and bald
eagle's, large red tailed Hawks, ravens & Crows in abundance, the blue
Magpie, a Small brown bird which ...
Nov
30
1805
Clark: November 30, 1805
...owl, The large Buzzard
with white under their wings Grey & Bald eagle large red tailed hawk,
ravins, Crows, & a small brown bird which is found about logs &c.
but fiew...
Jan
3
1806
Clark: January 3, 1806
...east,
the little brown ren, and a large brown Sparrow, the bald Eagle, and the
butifull Buzzard of the Columbia Still Continue with us, Send Sarjt. Gass
and G. Shannon...
Jan
3
1806
Lewis: January 3, 1806
...te brest, the little brown
ren, a large brown sparrow, the bald Eagle and the beatifull Buzzard of
the columbia still continue with us.Sent Sergt. Gass and George
Shan...
Feb
16
1806
Clark: February 16, 1806
...e Size of the bird comparitively with those of the Hawk or
Eagle, Short and bluntly pointed-the under Side of the wing is
Covered with white down and feathers. a w...
Feb
17
1806
Lewis: February 17, 1806
...e size of the bird comparitively with those of
the halk or Eagle, short and bluntly pointed. the under side of the wing
is covered with white down and feathers. a ...
Mar
11
1806
Clark: March 11, 1806
... with white and black. the form is
much that of the Common bald Eagle, but they are reather Smaller and much
more fleet. this Eagle is feared by all carnivarous birds, ...
Mar
12
1806
Lewis: March 12, 1806
... with
white and black. the form is much that of the common bald Eagle, but they
are reather smaller and much more fleet. this eagle is feared by all
carnivorous birds,...
