Misplaced Pages

#153846

112-877: The Saginaw Spirit are a major junior ice hockey team based in Saginaw , Michigan . They are members of the West Division of the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), one of the Major Junior leagues of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). In 2024, the team won the Memorial Cup , their first championship since the franchise moved to Saginaw in 2002, and became only the third American team to win

224-655: A gull 's call. The calls of young birds tend to be more harsh and shrill than those of adults. The bald eagle's natural range covers most of North America, including most of Canada, all of the continental United States , and northern Mexico. It is the only sea eagle endemic to North America. Occupying varied habitats from the bayous of Louisiana to the Sonoran Desert and the eastern deciduous forests of Quebec and New England , northern birds are migratory , while southern birds are resident, remaining on their breeding territory all year. At minimum population, in

336-877: A bald eagle flies close by, waterbirds will often fly away en masse, though they may seemingly ignore a perched eagle in other cases. when the birds fly away from a colony, this exposes their unprotected eggs and nestlings to scavengers such as gulls . While they usually target small to medium-sized seabirds, larger seabirds such as great black-backed gulls ( Larus marinus ) and northern gannets ( Morus bassanus ) and brown pelicans ( Pelecanus occidentalis ) of all ages can successfully be taken by bald eagles. Similarly, large waterbirds are occasionally killed. Geese such as wintering emperor geese ( Chen canagica ) and snow geese ( C. caerulescens ), which gather in large groups, sometimes becoming regular prey. Smaller Ross's geese ( Anser rossii ) are also taken, as well as large-sized Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ). Predation on

448-546: A bald eagle was observed carrying 6.8 kg (15 lb) mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) fawn. Additionally, Virginia opossums ( Didelphis virginiana ) can be preyed upon. Still, predation events are rare due to their nocturnal habits. Together with the golden eagle, bald eagles are occasionally accused of preying on livestock, especially sheep ( Ovis aries ). There are a handful of proven cases of lamb predation, some specimens weighing up to 11 kg (24 lb), by bald eagles. Still, they are much less likely to attack

560-466: A body length of 70–102 cm (28–40 in). Typical wingspan is between 1.8 and 2.3 m (5 ft 11 in and 7 ft 7 in) and mass is normally between 3 and 6.3 kg (6.6 and 13.9 lb). Females are about 25% larger than males, averaging as much as 5.6 kg (12 lb), and against the males' average weight of 4.1 kg (9.0 lb). The size of the bird varies by location and generally corresponds with Bergmann's rule :

672-432: A cliff or other terrain. Migration generally takes place during the daytime, usually between the local hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., when thermals are produced by the sun. The bald eagle is an opportunistic carnivore with the capacity to consume a great variety of prey. Fish often comprise most of the eagle's diet throughout their range. In 20 food habit studies across the species' range, fish comprised 56% of

784-608: A director with the Czech Ice Hockey Association , felt that Junior-aged players were enticed to play in North America before maturation, with a negative effect on the development of the player and the European system. He stated that of the 527 Czech Republic players who went to North American Junior hockey, only 22 of them played more than 400 NHL games. He sought to establish a European system that

896-430: A healthy lamb than a golden eagle. Both species prefer native, wild prey and are unlikely to cause any extensive detriment to human livelihoods. There is one case of a bald eagle killing and feeding on an adult, pregnant ewe (then joined in eating the kill by at least 3 other eagles), which, weighing on average over 60 kg (130 lb), is much larger than any other known prey taken by this species. Supplemental prey

1008-531: A lack of human disturbance, spend their time in various upland, terrestrial habitats sometimes quite far away from waterways. In the northern half of North America (especially the interior portion), this terrestrial inhabitance by bald eagles tends to be especially prevalent because unfrozen water may not be accessible. Upland wintering habitats often consist of open habitats with concentrations of medium-sized mammals, such as prairies , meadows or tundra , or open forests with regular carrion access. The bald eagle

1120-455: A larger beak , straighter edged wings which are held flat (not slightly raised) and with a stiffer wing beat and feathers which do not completely cover the legs. When seen well, the golden eagle is distinctive in plumage with a more solid warm brown color than an immature bald eagle, with a reddish-golden patch to its nape and (in immature birds) a highly contrasting set of white squares on the wing. The bald eagle has sometimes been considered

1232-806: A lot of food. On Protection Island , Washington , they commonly feed on harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ) afterbirths, still-borns and sickly seal pups. Similarly, bald eagles in Alaska readily prey on sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) pups. Small to medium-sized terrestrial mammalian carnivores can be taken infrequently. Mustelid including American martens ( Martes pennanti ), American minks ( Neogale vison ), and larger fisher cats ( Pekania pennanti ) are known to be hunted. Foxes are also taken, including Island foxes ( Urocyon littoralis ), Arctic foxes ( Vulpes lagopus ), and grey foxes ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus ). Although fox farmers claimed that bald eagle heavily prey on young and adult free-range Arctic fox,

SECTION 10

#1732780116154

1344-400: A preference for bodies of water with a circumference greater than 11 km (7 mi), and lakes with an area greater than 10 km (4 sq mi) are optimal for breeding bald eagles. The bald eagle typically requires old-growth and mature stands of coniferous or hardwood trees for perching, roosting, and nesting. Tree species reportedly is less important to the eagle pair than

1456-720: A professional team, and are used by professional teams to develop their own prospects. One example of this is the J20 SuperElit league in Sweden or the Minor Hockey League in Russia . The lack of an amateur draft in Europe means that the onus is on the teams to sign the most talented young players they can get, and the presence of an affiliated junior team provides a place for young players who are not yet ready for

1568-493: A record from 1876 in Wyoming County, New York of an enormous adult bald eagle that was shot and reportedly scaled 8.2 kg (18 lb). Among standard linear measurements, the wing chord is 51.5–69 cm (20.3–27.2 in), the tail is 23–37 cm (9.1–14.6 in) long, and the tarsus is 8 to 11 cm (3.1 to 4.3 in). The culmen reportedly ranges from 3 to 7.5 cm (1.2 to 3.0 in), while

1680-725: A reference to the fact that GM, the Generals sponsor, having poor earnings at the time. As a result of losing the game, the mayor of Oshawa created Stephen Colbert day. The Spirit play at Wendler Arena (capacity 5,527), which is part of The Dow Event Center complex in downtown Saginaw. The OHL All-Star Classic was hosted here in 2007, the first time that the event was hosted in an American city. Games can be heard live on WSGW-FM (100.5 FM) with Dillon Clark on play-by-play joined by Dennis Desrosiers and Domenic Papa on color commentary. Reruns of games can be viewed on WNEM-DT2 ("WNEM TV5 Plus"). Live telecasts are streamed online via CHL TV in

1792-694: A shortly lived Canadian Hockey League record of 25,749 spectators, surpassed later that night by the London Knights and Plymouth Whalers at the same venue. In March 2023, the CHL announced the Spirit as hosts of the 2024 Memorial Cup , granting them an automatic berth. This was the first time that the United States hosted a Memorial Cup since the Spokane Chiefs in 1998 . The Spirit won

1904-590: A significant concentration of teams in the central and southwestern parts of the United States, although the league began to expand to east coast as of 2015. In October 2016, the Tier III United States Premier Hockey League , a league predominately located on the east coast, applied to USA Hockey for approval of a Tier II league to begin in the 2017–18 season, however, the league was denied that December and decided to operate its Tier II league independently. The NAHL, like

2016-408: A single bald eagle successfully displaced two consecutive golden eagles from a kill. Though bald eagles face few natural threats, an unusual attacker comes in the form of the common loon ( G. immer ), which is also taken by eagles as prey. While common loons normally avoid conflict, they are highly territorial and will attack predators and competitors by stabbing at them with their knife-like bill; as

2128-485: A white head and tail. The sexes are identical in plumage , but females are about 25 percent larger than males. The yellow beak is large and hooked. The plumage of the immature is brown. The bald eagle is the national symbol of the United States of America and appears on its seal . In the late 20th century it was on the brink of extirpation in the contiguous United States. Populations have since recovered, and

2240-449: Is a powerful flier, and soars on thermal convection currents. It reaches speeds of 56–70 km/h (35–43 mph) when gliding and flapping, and about 48 km/h (30 mph) while carrying fish. Its dive speed is between 120–160 km/h (75–99 mph), though it seldom dives vertically. Regarding their flying abilities, despite being morphologically less well adapted to faster flight than golden eagles (especially during dives),

2352-493: Is able to carry it away successfully. They obtain much of their food as carrion or via a practice known as kleptoparasitism , by which they steal prey away from other predators. Due to their dietary habits, bald eagles are frequently viewed in a negative light by humans. Thanks to their superior foraging ability and experience, adults are generally more likely to hunt live prey than immature eagles, which often obtain their food from scavenging. They are not very selective about

SECTION 20

#1732780116154

2464-817: Is currently the only Tier I league in the country, consisting of teams in the central and midwestern United States. The USHL provides an alternative to the Canadian Hockey League, which pays its major junior hockey players a stipend, for players who wish to maintain NCAA eligibility for later in their career. While playing in the USHL, all player expenses are paid for by the team; no membership or equipment fees are charged. Unlike major junior teams, free-college stipend does not exist. Historically, professional leagues have drafted less directly from USHL teams, although this trend has shifted in recent years, coinciding with

2576-605: Is habitual mainly in Alaska) and fish-processing plants. In Southeast Alaska , fish comprise approximately 66% of the year-round diet of bald eagles and 78% of the prey brought to the nest by the parents. Eagles living in the Columbia River Estuary in Oregon were found to rely on fish for 90% of their dietary intake. At least 100 species of fish have been recorded in the bald eagle's diet. From observation in

2688-409: Is held immobile by the front toes. The beak is large and hooked, with a yellow cere . The adult bald eagle is unmistakable in its native range. The closely related African fish eagle ( Haliaeetus vocifer ) (from far outside the bald eagle's range) also has a brown body (albeit of somewhat more rufous hue), white head and tail, but differs from the bald eagle in having a white chest and black tip to

2800-409: Is merely 455 g (1.003 lb) lighter in mean body mass and exceeds the bald eagle in mean wing chord length by around 3 cm (1.2 in). Additionally, the bald eagle's close cousins, the relatively longer-winged but shorter-tailed white-tailed eagle and the overall larger Steller's sea eagle ( Haliaeetus pelagicus ), may, rarely, wander to coastal Alaska from Asia. The bald eagle has

2912-418: Is moderately long and slightly wedge-shaped. Males and females are identical in plumage coloration, but sexual dimorphism is evident in the species, in that females are 25% larger than males. The beak, feet and irises are bright yellow. The legs are feather-free, and the toes are short and powerful with large talons. The highly developed talon of the hind toe is used to pierce the vital areas of prey while it

3024-504: Is now generally thought that golden eagles eat more carrion than was previously assumed). However, the two species are roughly equal in size, aggressiveness and physical strength and so competitions can go either way. Neither species is known to be dominant, and the outcome depends on the size and disposition of the individual eagles involved. Wintering bald and golden eagles in Utah both sometimes won conflicts, though in one recorded instance

3136-685: Is readily taken given the opportunity. In some areas, reptiles may become regular prey, especially in warm areas such as Florida where reptile diversity is high. Turtles are perhaps the most regularly hunted type of reptile. In coastal New Jersey , 14 of 20 studied eagle nests included remains of turtles. The main species found were common musk turtles ( Sternotherus odoratus ), diamondback terrapin ( Malaclemys terrapin ) and juvenile common snapping turtles ( Chelydra serpentina ). In these New Jersey nests, mainly subadult and small adults were taken, ranging in carapace length from 9.2 to 17.1 cm (3.6 to 6.7 in). Similarly, many turtles were recorded in

3248-413: Is relatively easy for the much larger eagles to catch and fly with. American herring gull ( Larus smithsonianus ) are the favored avian prey species for eagles living around Lake Superior . Black ducks ( Anas rubripes ), common eiders ( Somateria mollissima ), and double-crested cormorants ( Phalacrocorax auritus ) are also frequently taken in coastal Maine and velvet scoter ( Melanitta fusca )

3360-763: The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) : The championship teams from each league, as well as a pre-selected host team, compete for the Memorial Cup in a round-robin tournament to determine a national champion. Major Junior players were historically deemed ineligible to play college hockey in the United States , because they were considered to be professionals by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Major Junior players retain their eligibility for Canadian universities however, and all three leagues have scholarship programs for players. The NCAA changed its position and decided that CHL players were no longer ineligible as of

3472-616: The Clarence Schmalz Cup which was first awarded in 1938. The Ontario Junior C playoffs are played for between six of the Province's seven different regional leagues. In Quebec and West of Manitoba, Junior C hockey tends to be an extension of the local minor hockey system and is sometimes called Juvenile or House League. In Ontario, Manitoba, and the Maritimes, Junior C is run independently of minor hockey systems, though with

Saginaw Spirit - Misplaced Pages Continue

3584-823: The Coupe Dodge in Quebec , the Don Johnson Cup in the Atlantic Provinces , and the Keystone Cup that represents all of Western Canada, from British Columbia to Northwestern Ontario . Junior C (Junior A in Québec ) generally consists of local competitions, but is considered competitive in some regions, and serve as seeding or farm-teams for Junior B teams. Ontario Junior C Hockey has six rounds of best-of-seven playoffs (up to 42 games per team) for

3696-694: The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League has operated as an independent league in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. The league widely recruits players from outside of North America. In late 2016, the United States Premier Hockey League , an organization composed of several USA Hockey Tier III Junior as well as many youth hockey leagues, applied for a Tier II league. The Tier II status was denied in December 2016 but

3808-598: The Greater Yellowstone area average 27 m (89 ft) high. Trees or forest used for nesting should have a canopy cover of no more than 60%, and no less than 20%, and be in close proximity to water. Most nests have been found within 200 m (660 ft) of open water. The greatest distance from open water recorded for a bald eagle nest was over 3 km (1.9 mi), in Florida. Bald eagle nests are often very large in order to compensate for size of

3920-708: The Mid-Michigan area, increasing their fan base and season ticket-holder numbers. The Spirit have one of the highest attendance rates in the Ontario Hockey League. After three rebuilding seasons, the Spirit clinched their first playoff berth on March 2, 2006, but lost in the first round to the Guelph Storm . Led by Todd Watson, they made the playoffs the following two seasons, but lost to the division rival Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds both times, in six games in 2007 and in four games in 2008. In 2009,

4032-505: The North American 3 Hockey League Some Junior ice hockey leagues operate outside the framework of governing bodies such as Hockey Canada and USA Hockey , typically due to disagreements with governing bodies over player recruitment policies and finances. These leagues are sometimes referred to as 'unsanctioned', 'rogue' or 'outlaw' leagues due to their lack of sanctioning or oversight from an outside governing body. Since 2006,

4144-619: The US . In 2023, the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew from the Hockey Canada framework, and thus became an independent league. In response, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework, which included an opportunity for some Junior B teams (styled "Junior A Tier 2" by BC Hockey) to be promoted to Junior A (styled "Junior A Tier 1" by BC Hockey) and eventually seek membership with

4256-939: The Willamette River in Portland , Oregon or John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, which are surrounded by a great quantity of human activity. Even more contrary to the usual sensitivity to disturbance, a family of bald eagles moved to the Harlem neighborhood in New York City in 2010. While wintering, bald eagles tend to be less habitat and disturbance sensitive. They will commonly congregate at spots with plentiful perches and waters with plentiful prey and (in northern climes) partially unfrozen waters. Alternately, non-breeding or wintering bald eagles, particularly in areas with

4368-528: The brown bullhead ( Ameiurus nebulosus ) and any species in the genus Ictalurus as well as mullet , trout , needlefish , and eels . Chain pickerels ( Esox niger ) and white suckers ( Catostomus commersonii ) are frequently taken in interior Maine . Wintering eagles on the Platte River in Nebraska preyed mainly on American gizzard shads and common carp. Bald eagles are also known to eat

4480-520: The salmon spawning in the area. Similar congregations of wintering bald eagles at open lakes and rivers, wherein fish are readily available for hunting or scavenging, are observed in the northern United States. It has occurred as a vagrant twice in Ireland; a juvenile was shot illegally in Fermanagh on January 11, 1973 (misidentified at first as a white-tailed eagle ), and an exhausted juvenile

4592-635: The 1950s, it was largely restricted to Alaska , the Aleutian Islands , northern and eastern Canada, and Florida. From 1966 to 2015 bald eagle numbers increased substantially throughout its winter and breeding ranges, and as of 2018 the species nests in every continental state and province in the United States and Canada. The majority of bald eagles in Canada are found along the British Columbia coast while large populations are found in

Saginaw Spirit - Misplaced Pages Continue

4704-466: The 2025–26 season. The decision was made after a class action was filed on behalf of a player who was declared ineligible after having played two exhibition games in the OHL when he was 16 years old. The CHL places a cap of three 20-year-old players per team, and allows up to four 16-year-olds on each roster. While 15-year-old players were formerly permitted to play a limited number of games per season at

4816-536: The CHL level, they are now permitted to play only if they are deemed exceptional by Hockey Canada . As of 2024 , nine players have qualified under this rule: centre John Tavares in 2005, defenceman Aaron Ekblad in 2011, centre Connor McDavid in 2012, defenceman Sean Day in 2013, centre Joe Veleno in 2015, centre Shane Wright in 2019, forward Connor Bedard in 2020, forward Michael Misa in 2022, and defenceman Landon DuPont in 2024. CHL teams are currently permitted two "imports" (players from outside Canada and

4928-706: The CJHL. The league expected the evaluations to be completed during the 2024—25 season. Junior B (Junior AA in Québec ; Tier 2 in British Columbia ) was created in 1933, to differentiate between teams eligible for Memorial Cup competition and those who were not. The major championships across Canada are the Sutherland Cup in Southern Ontario , the Barkley Cup in the Ottawa District ,

5040-473: The Chinook salmon's large size (12 to 18 kg (26 to 40 lb) average adult size) probably being taken only as carrion and a single carcass can attract several eagles. Also important in the estuaries and shallow coastlines of southern Alaska are Pacific herring ( Clupea pallasii ), Pacific sand lance ( Ammodytes hexapterus ) and eulachon ( Thaleichthys pacificus ). In Oregon's Columbia River Estuary,

5152-721: The Columbia River, 58% of the fish were caught alive by the eagle, 24% were scavenged as carcasses and 18% were pirated away from other animals. In the Pacific Northwest , spawning trout and salmon provide most of the bald eagles' diet from late summer throughout fall. Though bald eagles occasionally catch live salmon, they usually scavenge spawned salmon carcass. Southeast Alaskan eagles largely prey on pink salmon ( Oncorhynchus gorbuscha ), coho salmon ( O. kisutch ) and, more locally, sockeye salmon ( O. nerka ), with Chinook salmon ( O. tshawytscha ). Due to

5264-631: The Falcons, Teepees, and Black Hawks from 1943 to 1976. It won two Memorial Cup championships as the Teepees, in 1954 and 1960. In 1976, the franchise moved to nearby Niagara Falls , where it was known as the Flyers. In 1982, the team was moved again, this time to North Bay , and renamed the Centennials, where it remained until moving to Saginaw in 2002. The Spirit have done extensive promotions in

5376-605: The Junior A British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew its membership with Hockey Canada and became an independent league. In 2024, the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) announced that it would also withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the BCHL beginning in the 2024-25 season. In Europe, Junior teams are usually associated with

5488-816: The MAHA state tournament in Canton, Michigan on March 9, 2008. Junior ice hockey#Major junior There are four levels of Junior hockey in the Canadian Club System: 1. Major Junior, 2. Junior A, 3. Junior B, and 4. Junior C. Not all teams playing in Canadian Junior leagues are based in Canada . As of 2024 , there were approximately twelve US-based teams playing in various Major Junior and Junior A leagues in Canada. In 2023, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework following

5600-576: The Memorial Cup. The Saginaw Spirit were born when Dick Garber, the owner of several local automobile dealerships, purchased the North Bay Centennials and moved the team to Saginaw after the 2001–02 season. Saginaw Spirit was named by an elementary school student attending Handley Elementary after a contest was held to name the new coming team. The team traces its roots back to St. Catharines , Ontario , where it played as

5712-530: The Spirit won their first playoff series since relocating to Saginaw, sweeping Guelph in four games. They were then swept in the second round by the London Knights . On December 29, 2013, the Spirit and the Windsor Spitfires played the first ever outdoor game in Ontario Hockey League history. The game was played at Comerica Park in Detroit , Michigan . The Spitfires won the game 6–5 in front of

SECTION 50

#1732780116154

5824-576: The Tier III level pay a fee or tuition, commonly ranging from $ 4,000 to $ 9,500. This is for all accounts and purposes an amateur level, although some players go directly to NCAA Division I schools. Most Tier III players are looking to increase their skills in hopes to move up to Tier II or I, while other players go directly to NCAA Division III , ACHA and CHF schools. Prior to July 2011, USA Hockey split Tier III into Junior A and B divisions. USA Hockey currently has one sanctioned Tier III league,

5936-596: The U.S. and Canada and aired on Rogers Cable and Cogeco via the OHL Action Pak in Canada. The Saginaw Spirit in partnership with Meijer food stores sponsor the Mid Michigan Spirit, a women's hockey club based in Midland, Michigan . The 16U team took second at the MAHA state tournament during the 2006–2007 season. A 16U team moved up to 19U for the 2007–2008 season and once again took second at

6048-572: The US) each. Up until 1970, the leagues that were classified as Major Junior and "Junior A" today were both part of Junior A. In 1970 they were divided into "Tier I Junior A" or "Major Junior A" and "Tier II Junior A". In 1980, the three Major Junior A leagues opted for self-control over being controlled by the branches of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) and became Major Junior hockey, Tier II Junior A became

6160-500: The USHL, provides young players an alternative to major junior hockey, although the skill level is considered significantly lower than major junior hockey and typically filled with those who would not or did not make the roster of a Tier I team. Unlike Tier I, the NAHL does not pay for all players' expenses, such as room and board, but there is no tuition cost to the player as in Tier III. In addition to paying for room and board, players at

6272-412: The USNTDP moving to the USHL in 2009-10. In the 2019 NHL Entry Draft , 17 of the 44 players drafted out of the USHL played for the USNTDP. Those 44 draft picks were 16 more than any of the three leagues in the Canadian Hockey League, and included 9 first round picks (8 of which came from the USNTDP) and 7 second round picks. For most of its existence the USHL was considered inferior in quality of play to

6384-422: The USPHL moved forward with the new league anyway, creating the National Collegiate Development Conference. In response, the USPHL has removed all their junior level leagues (the NCDC and the Tier III-level Premier and Elite Divisions) from USA Hockey sanctioning since the 2017–18 season. In 2022, the Eastern Hockey League , which was operating two Tier III leagues, also left USA Hockey sanctioning. In 2023,

6496-454: The bald eagle is considered surprisingly maneuverable in flight. Bald eagles have also been recorded catching up to and then swooping under geese in flight, turning over and thrusting their talons into the other bird's breast. It is partially migratory, depending on location. If its territory has access to open water, it remains there year-round, but if the body of water freezes during the winter, making it impossible to obtain food, it migrates to

6608-405: The bill. The plumage of the immature is a dark brown overlaid with messy white streaking until the fifth (rarely fourth, very rarely third) year, when it reaches sexual maturity. Immature bald eagles are distinguishable from the golden eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos ), the only other very large, non-vulturine raptorial bird in North America, in that the former has a larger, more protruding head with

6720-523: The birds. The largest recorded nest was found in Florida in 1963, and was measured at nearly 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep. In Florida, nesting habitats often consist of Mangrove swamps, the shorelines of lakes and rivers, pinelands , seasonally flooded flatwoods , hardwood swamps , and open prairies and pastureland with scattered tall trees. Favored nesting trees in Florida are slash pines ( Pinus elliottii ), longleaf pines ( P. palustris ), loblolly pines ( P. taeda ) and cypress trees , but for

6832-650: The breeding season around Lake Britton in California, fish measuring 34 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) were taken 71.8% of the time by parent eagles while fish measuring 23 to 27.5 cm (9.1 to 10.8 in) were chosen only 25% of the time. At nests around Lake Superior , the remains of fish (mostly suckers ) were found to average 35.4 cm (13.9 in) in total length. In the Columbia River estuary, most preyed on by eagles were estimated to measure less than 30 cm (12 in), but larger fish between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 in) or even exceeding 60 cm (24 in) in length also taken especially during

SECTION 60

#1732780116154

6944-592: The championship over the London Knights , becoming only the third American team to win the Memorial Cup. The first coach in Saginaw Spirit history was Dennis Desrosiers. He was well known to local fans, with many years of hockey experience in Michigan. As a player, he spent 10 years for the Saginaw Gears (IHL), and spent time coaching the Flint Generals , Saginaw Generals & Kalamazoo Wings all in Michigan. List of coaches. Numbers of seasons in parentheses. Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss The Saginaw Spirit logo depicts an American bald eagle with

7056-415: The chest the word "Saginaw" spelled diagonally downwards from left to right. Saginaw's main mascot is "Sammy Spirit," resembling an American bald eagle . The team held a vote on their website to name a new secondary mascot for the 2006–07 season. The mascot was named Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle after Stephen Colbert . Colbert had promoted the contest on his show, The Colbert Report . After naming

7168-421: The colors of the Stars and Stripes along its neck, on the words "Saginaw Spirit." The uniform scheme is similar to that previously used by the U.S.A. national team . The home jerseys are white backgrounds with navy blue sleeves and red trim. The away jerseys are navy blue backgrounds with red sleeves and white trim. The Saginaw third jersey has a red background with navy blue sleeves and white trim, bearing across

7280-602: The condition or origin, whether provided by humans, other animals, auto accidents or natural causes, of a carcass's presence, but will avoid eating carrion where disturbances from humans are a regular occurrence. They will scavenge carcasses up to the size of whales, though carcasses of ungulates and large fish are seemingly preferred. Congregated wintering waterfowl are frequently exploited for carcasses to scavenge by immature eagles in harsh winter weather. Bald eagles also may sometimes feed on material scavenged or stolen from campsites and picnics, as well as garbage dumps (dump usage

7392-1835: The consumption of the dead victims. Nine species of other accipitrids and owls are known to have been preyed upon by bald eagles. Owl prey species have ranged in size from western screech-owls ( Megascops kennicotti ) to snowy owls ( Bubo scandiacus ). Larger diurnal raptors known to have fallen victim to bald eagles have included red-tailed hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis ), peregrine falcons ( Falco peregrinus ), northern goshawks ( Accipiter gentilis ), ospreys ( Pandion haliaetus ) and black ( Coragyps atratus ) and turkey vultures ( Cathartes aura ). Mammalian preys are generally less frequently taken than fish or avian prey. However, in some regions, such as landlocked areas of North America, wintering bald eagles may become habitual predators of medium-sized mammals that occur in colonies or local concentrations, such as prairie dogs ( Cynomys sp.) and jackrabbits ( Lepus sp.). Bald eagles in Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge often hunt in pair to catch cottontails, jackrabbits and prairie dogs. They can attack and prey on rabbits and hares of nearly any size, from marsh rabbits ( Sylvilagus palustris ) to black and white-tailed jackrabbits ( Lepus californicus & L. townsendii ), and Arctic hares ( Lepus arcticus ). In San Luis Valley , white-tailed jackrabbits can be important prey. Additionally, rodents such as montane voles ( Microtus montanus ), brown rats ( Rattus norvegicus ), and various squirrels are taken as supplementary prey. Larger rodents such as muskrats ( Ondatra zibethicus ), young or small adult nutrias ( Myocastor coypus ) and groundhogs ( Marmota monax ) are also preyed upon. Even American porcupines ( Erethizon dorsatum ) are reportedly attacked and killed. Where available, seal colonies can provide

7504-484: The departure of its only Junior A league . Its three Junior B leagues ( PJHL , KIJHL and VIJHL ) were re-styled as "Junior A Tier 2", with plans to promote some to "Junior A Tier 1" following an independent evaluation. It was expected that those teams promoted to "Junior A Tier 1" would eventually apply for membership in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), an association of Junior A leagues governed by Hockey Canada and its regional branches . BC Hockey expected

7616-1256: The diet in the Chesapeake Bay . In Texas , softshell turtles are the most frequently taken prey, and a large number of Barbour's map turtles are taken in Torreya State Park . Other reptilian and amphibian prey includes southern alligator lizards ( Elgaria multicarinata ), snakes such as garter snakes and rattlesnakes , and Greater siren ( Siren lacertina ). Invertebrates are occasionally taken. In Alaska , eagles feed on sea urchins ( Strongylocentrotus sp.), chitons, mussels, and crabs. Other various mollusks such as land snails , abalones , bivalves , periwinkles , blue mussels , squids , and starfishes are taken as well. When competing for food, eagles will usually dominate other fish-eaters and scavengers, aggressively displacing mammals such as coyotes ( Canis latrans ) and foxes, and birds such as corvids , gulls , vultures and other raptors . Occasionally, coyotes, bobcats ( Lynx rufus ) and domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris ) can displace eagles from carrion, usually less confident immature birds, as has been recorded in Maine. Bald eagles are less active, bold predators than golden eagles and get relatively more of their food as carrion and from kleptoparasitism (although it

7728-471: The diet of nesting eagles, birds 28%, mammals 14% and other prey 2%. More than 400 species are known to be included in the bald eagle's prey spectrum, far more than its ecological equivalent in the Old World, the white-tailed eagle , is known to take. Despite its considerably lower population, the bald eagle may come in second amongst all North American accipitrids, slightly behind only the red-tailed hawk , in number of prey species recorded. To hunt fish,

7840-447: The eagle swoops down over the water and snatches the fish out of the water with its talons . They eat by holding the fish in one claw and tearing the flesh with the other. Eagles have structures on their toes called spicules that allow them to grasp fish. Osprey also have this adaptation. Bird prey may occasionally be attacked in flight, with prey up to the size of Canada geese attacked and killed in mid-air. It has been estimated that

7952-545: The eagle's diet is variable, depending on the quantity and availability of fish near the water's surface. Waterbirds can seasonally comprise from 7% to 80% of the prey selection for eagles in certain localities. Overall, birds are the most diverse group in the bald eagle's prey spectrum, with 200 prey species recorded. Bird species most preferred as prey by eagles tend to be medium-sized, such as western grebes ( Aechmophorus occidentalis ), mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ), and American coots ( Fulica americana ) as such prey

8064-823: The eastern Appalachian Mountains without apparent conflict. Bald eagles are frequently mobbed by smaller raptors, due to their infrequent but unpredictable tendency to hunt other birds of prey. Many bald eagles are habitual kleptoparasites, especially in winters when fish are harder to come by. They have been recorded stealing fish from other predators such as ospreys , herons and even otters . They have also been recorded opportunistically pirating birds from peregrine falcons ( Falco peregrinus ), prairie dogs from ferruginous hawks ( Buteo regalis ) and even jackrabbits from golden eagles . When they approach scavengers such as dogs, gulls or vultures at carrion sites, they often attack them in an attempt to force them to disgorge their food. Healthy adult bald eagles are not preyed upon in

8176-542: The evaluations to be completed during the 2024-25 season. Before the process was completed, the VIJHL announced that it would also withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) beginning in the 2024-25 season. Major Junior is the highest level of Junior ice hockey in Canada. There are three Major Junior leagues that collectively make up

8288-519: The fish (possibly due to overfishing) and otters (cause unknown) have had steep population declines, causing concern for seabird conservation. Because of this more extensive predation, some biologist has expressed concern that murres are heading for a "conservation collision" due to heavy eagle predation. Eagles have been confirmed to attack nocturnally active, burrow-nesting seabird species such as storm petrels and shearwaters by digging out their burrows and feeding on all animals they find inside. If

8400-709: The following fish species: rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ), white catfish ( Ameiurus catus ), rock greenling ( Hexagrammos lagocephalus ), Pacific cod ( Gadus macrocephalus ), Atka mackerel ( Pleurogrammus monopterygius ), largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ), northern pike ( Esox lucius ), striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ), dogfish shark ( Squalidae.sp ) and Blue walleye ( Sander vitreus ). Fish taken by bald eagles varies in size, but bald eagles take larger fish than other piscivorous birds in North America, typically range from 20 to 75 cm (7.9 to 29.5 in) and prefer 36 cm (14 in) fish. When experimenters offered fish of different sizes in

8512-546: The forests of Alberta , Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario . Bald eagles also congregate in certain locations in winter. From November until February, one to two thousand birds winter in Squamish, British Columbia , about halfway between Vancouver and Whistler . In March 2024, bald eagles were found nesting in Toronto for the first time. The birds primarily gather along the Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers, attracted by

8624-705: The golden eagle, with the bald species estimated to number at least 150,000 individuals, about twice as many golden eagles there are estimated to live in North America. Due to this, bald eagles often outnumber golden eagles at attractive food sources. Despite the potential for contention between these animals, in New Jersey during winter, a golden eagle and numerous bald eagles were observed to hunt snow geese alongside each other without conflict. Similarly, both eagle species have been recorded, via video-monitoring, to feed on gut piles and carcasses of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) in remote forest clearings in

8736-727: The gripping power (pounds by square inch) of the bald eagle is ten times greater than that of a human. Bald eagles can fly with fish at least equal to their own weight, but if the fish is too heavy to lift, the eagle may be dragged into the water. Bald eagles are able to swim, in some cases dragging its catch ashore with its talons, but some eagles drown or succumb to hypothermia . Many sources claim that bald eagles, like all large eagles, cannot normally take flight carrying prey more than half of their own weight unless aided by favorable wind conditions. On numerous occasions, when large prey such as large fish including mature salmon or geese are attacked, eagles have been seen to make contact and then drag

8848-407: The ground. In a more typical tree standing on dry ground, nests may be located from 16 to 38 m (52 to 125 ft) in height. In Chesapeake Bay , nesting trees averaged 82 cm (32 in) in diameter and 28 m (92 ft) in total height, while in Florida, the average nesting tree stands 23 m (75 ft) high and is 23 cm (9.1 in) in diameter. Trees used for nesting in

8960-558: The kills secondarily. Once North Pacific salmon die off after spawning, usually local bald eagles eat salmon carcasses almost exclusively. Eagles in Washington need to consume 489 g (1.078 lb) of fish each day for survival, with adults generally consuming more than juveniles and thus reducing potential energy deficiency and increasing survival during winter. Behind fish, the next most significant prey base for bald eagles are other waterbirds . The contribution of such birds to

9072-413: The largest nest of any North American bird and the largest tree nests ever recorded for any animal species, up to 4 m (13 ft) deep, 2.5 m (8.2 ft) wide, and 1 metric ton (1.1 short tons) in weight. Sexual maturity is attained at the age of four to five years. Bald eagles are not bald ; the name derives from an older meaning of the word, "white headed". The adult is mainly brown with

9184-899: The largest subspecies ( Branta canadensis maxima ) has been reported. Other large waterbird prey include common loons ( Gavia immer ) of all ages. Large wading birds can also fall prey to bald eagles. For the great blue herons ( Ardea herodias ), bald eagles are their only serious enemies of all ages. Slightly larger Sandhill cranes ( Grus canadensis ) can be taken as well. While adult whooping cranes ( Grus americana ) are too large and formidable, their chicks can fall prey to bald eagles. They even occasionally prey on adult tundra swans ( Cygnus columbianus ). Young trumpeter swans ( Cygnus buccinator ) are also taken, and an unsuccessful attack on an adult swan has been photographed. Bald eagles have been occasionally recorded as killing other raptors . In some cases, these may be attacks of competition or kleptoparasitism on rival species but end with

9296-485: The largest true raptor ( accipitrid ) in North America. The only larger species of raptor-like bird is the California condor ( Gymnogyps californianus ), a New World vulture which today is not generally considered a taxonomic ally of true accipitrids. However, the golden eagle, averaging 4.18 kg (9.2 lb) and 63 cm (25 in) in wing chord length in its American race ( Aquila chrysaetos canadensis ),

9408-495: The major junior levels. But it continued to improve and as of 2019 about 21 percent of NHL players had played USHL in their career. Between 80 and 90 percent of USHL players continued into NCAA hockey. Currently, the North American Hockey League is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II league in the United States. The NAHL consists of teams spread across the western two thirds of the United States with

9520-538: The mascot after Colbert, the Spirit won seven straight games before losing to the Sarnia Sting on October 20. Since then, The Colbert Report had featured ongoing comedy sketches related to the team, the mascot, and other teams in the Ontario Hockey League, especially the Oshawa Generals , and Oshawa , Ontario mayor John Gray . At one game, Spirit fans threw copies of General Motors ' annual report,

9632-517: The measurement from the gape to the tip of the bill is 7–9 cm (2.8–3.5 in). The bill size is unusually variable: Alaskan eagles can have up to twice the bill length of birds from the southern United States ( Georgia , Louisiana , Florida), with means including both sexes of 6.83 cm (2.69 in) and 4.12 cm (1.62 in) in culmen length, respectively, from these two areas. The call consists of weak staccato, chirping whistles, kleek kik ik ik ik , somewhat similar in cadence to

9744-619: The most significant prey species were largescale suckers ( Catostomus macrocheilus ) (17.3% of the prey selected there), American shad ( Alosa sapidissima ; 13%) and common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ; 10.8%). Eagles living in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland were found to subsist largely on American gizzard shad ( Dorosoma cepedianum ), threadfin shad ( Dorosoma petenense ) and white bass ( Morone chrysops ). Floridian eagles have been reported to prey on catfish , most prevalently

9856-599: The nesting trees used by eagles, followed by hemlocks ( Tsuga ) at 20%. Increasingly, eagles nest in human-made reservoirs stocked with fish. The bald eagle is usually quite sensitive to human activity while nesting, and is found most commonly in areas with minimal human disturbance. It chooses sites more than 1.2 km (0.75 mi) from low-density human disturbance and more than 1.8 km (1.1 mi) from medium- to high-density human disturbance. However, bald eagles will occasionally nest in large estuaries or secluded groves within major cities, such as Hardtack Island on

9968-567: The non-breeding seasons. They can take fish up to at least twice their own weight, such as large mature salmons , carps , or even muskellunge ( Esox masquinongy ), by dragging its catch with talons and pull toward ashore. Much larger marine fish such as Pacific halibut ( Hippoglossus stenolepis ) and lemon sharks ( Negaprion brevirostris ) have been recorded among bald eagle prey though probably are only taken as young, as small, newly mature fish, or as carrion. Benthic fishes such as catfish are usually consumed after they die and float to

10080-449: The other comes behind it in order to ambush it. While hunting waterfowl, bald eagles repeatedly fly at a target and cause it to dive repeatedly, hoping to exhaust the victim so it can be caught (white-tailed eagles have been recorded hunting waterfowl in the same way). When hunting concentrated prey, a successful catch often results in the hunting eagle being pursued by other eagles and needing to find an isolated perch for consumption if it

10192-678: The predation events are sporadic. In one instance, two bald Eagles fed upon a red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) that had tried to cross a frozen Delaware Lake . Other medium-sized carnivorans such as striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis ), American hog-nosed skunks ( Conepatus leuconotus ), and common raccoons ( Procyon lotor ) are taken, as well as domestic cats ( Felis catus ) and dogs ( canis familiaris ). Other wild mammalian prey include fawns of deer such as white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) and Sitka deer ( Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis ), which weigh around 3 kg (6.6 lb) can be taken alive by bald eagles. In one instance,

10304-527: The prey in a strenuously labored, low flight over the water to a bank, where they then finish off and dismember the prey. When food is abundant, an eagle can gorge itself by storing up to 1 kg (2.2 lb) of food in a pouch in the throat called a crop. Gorging allows the bird to fast for several days if food becomes unavailable. Occasionally, bald eagles may hunt cooperatively when confronting prey, especially relatively large prey such as jackrabbits or herons, with one bird distracting potential prey, while

10416-455: The range of the bald eagle has increased following conservation efforts, these interactions have been observed on several occasions, including a fatality of a bald eagle in Maine that is presumed to have come about as a result of it attacking a nest, then having a fatal puncture wound inflicted by one or both loon parents. The bald eagle is thought to be much more numerous in North America than

10528-635: The rigours of the professional game to develop. However, not all players on a European junior team are necessarily property of their professional club, and may elect to sign elsewhere. At the World Hockey Summit in 2010, nations in Europe expressed concern about the number of junior players leaving to play in North America, despite the improved talent level and the increasing popularity of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championships . Slavomir Lener,

10640-545: The same ecological niche in their respective ranges. The pair diverged from other sea eagles at the beginning of the Early Miocene (c. 10  Ma BP ) at the latest, but possibly as early as the Early/Middle Oligocene , 28 Ma BP, if the most ancient fossil record is correctly assigned to this genus . The plumage of an adult bald eagle is evenly dark brown with a white head and tail. The tail

10752-656: The same mostly recreational purpose. Junior ice hockey in the United States is sanctioned by USA Hockey . The top level is Tier I, represented by the United States Hockey League . Tier II is represented by the North American Hockey League . There are several Tier III and independently sanctioned leagues throughout the country. Some US-based teams play in Canadian leagues outside of the USA Hockey framework. The United States Hockey League (USHL)

10864-488: The same niche as the bald eagle in the Palearctic . Its range includes most of Canada and Alaska , all of the contiguous United States , and northern Mexico . It is found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting. The bald eagle is an opportunistic feeder which subsists mainly on fish , which it swoops down upon and snatches from the water with its talons. It builds

10976-409: The south or to the coast. A number of populations are subject to post-breeding dispersal, mainly in juveniles; Florida eagles, for example, will disperse northwards in the summer. The bald eagle selects migration routes which take advantage of thermals , updrafts , and food resources. During migration, it may ascend in a thermal and then glide down, or may ascend in updrafts created by the wind against

11088-448: The southern coastal areas where mangroves are usually used. In Wyoming , groves of mature cottonwoods or tall pines found along streams and rivers are typical bald eagle nesting habitats. Wyoming eagles may inhabit habitat types ranging from large, old-growth stands of ponderosa pines ( Pinus ponderosa ) to narrow strips of riparian trees surrounded by rangeland. In Southeast Alaska , Sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis ) provided 78% of

11200-575: The species increases in size further away from the equator and the tropics. For example, eagles from South Carolina average 3.27 kg (7.2 lb) in mass and 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) in wingspan, smaller than their northern counterparts. One field guide in Florida listed similarly small sizes for bald eagles there, at about 4.13 kg (9.1 lb). Of intermediate size, 117 migrant bald eagles in Glacier National Park were found to average 4.22 kg (9.3 lb) but this

11312-486: The species' status was upgraded from " endangered " to " threatened " in 1995 and removed from the list altogether in 2007. The bald eagle is placed in the genus Haliaeetus ( sea eagles ), and gets both its common and specific scientific names from the distinctive appearance of the adult's head. Bald in the English name is from an older usage meaning "having white on the face or head" rather than "hairless", referring to

11424-473: The surface, though while temporarily swimming in the open may be more vulnerable to predation than most fish since their eyes focus downwards. Bald eagles also regularly exploit water turbines which produce battered, stunned or dead fish easily consumed. Predators who leave behind scraps of dead fish that they kill, such as brown bears ( Ursus arctos ), gray wolves ( Canis lupus ) and red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ), may be habitually followed in order to scavenge

11536-616: The top tier of hockey in the CAHA and became Junior A hockey. Junior A (Junior AAA in Québec ; Tier 1 in British Columbia ) hockey is one level below Major Junior. It is governed by the respective regional branches of Hockey Canada . The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) is an association of nine Junior A leagues: The national championship is the Centennial Cup . Unlike Major Junior players, Junior A players retain their NCAA eligibility and may go on to play college hockey in

11648-436: The tree's height, composition and location. Perhaps of paramount importance for this species is an abundance of comparatively large trees surrounding the body of water. Selected trees must have good visibility, be over 20 m (66 ft) tall, an open structure, and proximity to prey. If nesting trees are in standing water such as in a mangrove swamp, the nest can be located fairly low, at as low as 6 m (20 ft) above

11760-498: The white head feathers contrasting with the darker body. The genus name is Neo-Latin : Haliaeetus (from the Ancient Greek : ἁλιάετος , romanized :  haliaetos , lit.   'sea eagle'), and the specific name, leucocephalus , is Latinized ( Ancient Greek : λευκός , romanized :  leukos , lit.   'white') and ( κεφαλή , kephalḗ , 'head'). The bald eagle

11872-526: The wild and are thus considered apex predators . Bald eagles are sexually mature at four or five years of age. When they are old enough to breed, they often return to the area where they were born. Bald eagles have high mate fidelity and generally mate for life . However, if one pair member dies or disappears, the survivor will choose a new mate. A pair that has repeatedly failed in breeding attempts may split and look for new mates. Bald eagle courtship involves elaborate, spectacular calls and flight displays by

11984-411: The wings. A survey of adult weights in Alaska showed that females there weighed on average 5.35 kg (11.8 lb), respectively, and males weighed 4.23 kg (9.3 lb) against immatures which averaged 5.09 kg (11.2 lb) and 4.05 kg (8.9 lb) in the two sexes. An Alaskan adult female eagle that was considered outsized weighed some 7.4 kg (16 lb). R.S. Palmer listed

12096-542: Was captured near Castleisland , County Kerry on November 15, 1987. There is also a record of it from Llyn Coron, Anglesey, in the United Kingdom, from October 17, 1978; the provenance of this individual eagle has remained in dispute. The bald eagle occurs during its breeding season in virtually any kind of American wetland habitat such as seacoasts , rivers, large lakes or marshes or other large bodies of open water with an abundance of fish. Studies have shown

12208-577: Was competitive enough to deter players from entering into the CHL Import Draft . Bald eagle Falco pygargus Daudin, 1800 (nec Linnaeus) Falco ossifragus Shaw, 1809 (nec Linnaeus) The bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) is a bird of prey found in North America . A sea eagle , it has two known subspecies and forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle ( Haliaeetus albicilla ), which occupies

12320-651: Was dominant prey in San Miguel Island . Due to easy accessibility and lack of formidable nest defense against eagles by such species, bald eagles are capable of preying on such seabirds at all ages, from eggs to mature adults, and they can effectively cull large portions of a colony. Along some portions of the North Pacific coastline, bald eagles which had historically preyed mainly kelp -dwelling fish and supplementally sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) pups are now preying mainly on seabird colonies since both

12432-542: Was mostly (possibly post-dispersal) juvenile eagles, with 6 adults here averaging 4.3 kg (9.5 lb). Wintering eagles in Arizona (winter weights are usually the highest of the year since, like many raptors, they spend the highest percentage of time foraging during winter) were found to average 4.74 kg (10.4 lb). The largest eagles are from Alaska , where large females may weigh more than 7 kg (15 lb) and span 2.44 m (8 ft 0 in) across

12544-482: Was one of the many species originally described by Carl Linnaeus in his 18th-century work Systema Naturae , under the name Falco leucocephalus . There are two recognized subspecies of bald eagle: The bald eagle forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle of Eurasia . This species pair consists of a white-headed and a tan-headed species of roughly equal size; the white-tailed eagle also has overall somewhat paler brown body plumage. The two species fill

#153846