Are Bald Eagles important predators of Emperor Geese?

Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and geese often occur together, especially at sites used by geese for migrational staging and wintering. Although numerous studies have been directed at these taxa, there are only anecdotal accounts (Parris et al. 1980, Bennett and Klaas 1986, Bartley 1988) of Bald Eagles killing healthy geese at any time of the year (but see Raveling and Zezulak 1991). Most species of geese may be too large, as suggested by Shetrod et al. (1976) and Palmer (1988), or they may not regularly allow eagles an advantageous attack position (J.M. Gerrard in litt.).

Here we report observations of attacks on Emperor Geese (Chen canagica) by Bald Eagles on the Alaska Peninsula in autumn. We discuss these and other observations of eagle-goose interactions vis-a-vis the role of Bald Eagles as predators of Emperor Geese.