DISPERSAL OF BALD EAGLES FLEDGED IN TEXAS

One hundred and thirty-eight bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nes tlings were banded and color-marked in Texas, 1985-91. Survival of mar ked eaglets to fledging was 97%. Three recoveries and 61 sightings wer e verified from 1985-93. Recoveries were from Texas and southeast Loui siana. Beginning in April, most marked eagles showed a gradual spring- summer northward migration that was centered between the Rocky Mountai ns and the Mississippi River Valley, extending north into Canada. Howe ver, two sightings occurred on the Atlantic Coast, and two sightings o ccurred west of the Rocky Mountains. Forty-six of the 138 marked eagle ts have attained breeding age. Nine of these eagles are known to be ne sting in Texas and two others have been reported as nesting in Arizona and Mexico. Based on sight records we feel that bald eagles fledged i n Texas may enter breeding populations throughout the southern United States.