Adopt the EagleTrak eagle, Azalea

Please consider supporting the tracking of the Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG) eagle, Azalea. We have partnered with Seaturtle.org to host the eagle’s location maps. These are available on both Seaturtle.org and their new website wildlifetracking.org. When you adopt, you’ll receive an adoption packet in the mail with a photo, map, and information about the eagle. 100% of the funds will be used to pay for the tracking of Azalea from NBG.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why track the eagle’s movements with a satellite transmitter?

Eagles can travel great distances in a single day making ground-tracking nearly impossible. Seasonal migration movements can range from 100 to 2500 miles.

How long will the transmitter send locations?

The transmitter’s rechargeable battery is expected to last a minimum of 3 years.

How long will the transmitter stay on the eagle?

The transmitter harness is made out of Teflon ribbon. The harness is designed to be durable and can endure several years exposed to the elements. That being said, we have also had several eagles cut the harness off with their bills, prematurely ending their tracking time.

Where will the eagle go?

We have always assumed eagles hatched from Chesapeake Bay nests will stay within the Chesapeake Bay region. Our recent eagle research using satellite transmitters has revealed Bay nestlings’ movements range from Labrador, Canada south to North Carolina. This technology has taught us to never underestimate the distances these eagles will travel in search of food.

Will the eagle return to its nest?

Recently fledged juvenile eagles are dependent on their parents to feed them and teach them to hunt prey. This post-fledging dependency period can range from a few weeks to several months. After the juvenile eagle disperses from its natal area, it will continue to return to the nest periodically over the next few years.

How long until the eagle can breed?

Eagles typically breed when they reach 5 years old. There have been a few cases reported of 3 yr old eagles breeding but these are rare incidents. We expect the eagle to return to the Norfolk area to breed in approximately 5 years.

Does the backpack transmitter interfere with mating behavior?

In our experience, male and female eagles can successfully mate and raise young while wearing the transmitters. We are continuing to track one adult female who has now raised two consecutive broods of chicks after we fit her with a transmitter in 2007.

Are other eagles being tracked with satellite transmitters?

Yes, we currently have 63 transmitters on bald and golden eagles from the Chesapeake Bay. You can view their movements on wildlifetracking.org. Additional information on this eagle research can be found in several of CCB’s e-newsletter articles.

Bald Eagle Concentration Areas in the Chesapeake Region

Tracking migrant eagles returning to Chesapeake Bay

Eagle movements throughout the Chesapeake and beyond

Golden eagle tracked to northern summering area

What will you do with the data collected?

With over 30 years of data collected on Bald Eagles in the Chesapeake Bay, the Center for Conservation Biology is just beginning to scratch the surface on understanding this complex species. Bald Eagles were declared a recovery success and removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007. Although the species continues to receive federal protection, there are many known and unknown threats to the species continued success in Eastern North America. We plan to use the telemetry location data to understand eagles’ use of shoreline habitat, locate and protect communal roosts, and monitor juvenile survival rates.

Have a question we haven't answered?

Check the EagleTrak project background / technical specfications section, or visit the EagleTrak blog and post your question to CCB Research Associate, Reese Lukei, Jr.

Return to top