Journey North Bald Eagles

Bald Eagle Glossary
Teacher Tip: Building Vocabulary with Journey North

addled eggs eggs that are spoiled or rotten

aerie the nest of a bird on a cliff or a mountaintop

airfoil a wing, kite, or sail used to generate lift or propulsion.

anatomical of, or related to the structure of the body

brood patch a bare spot on their tummy where they can press their hot skin directly against the eggs or chicks to keep them warm

carcass the dead body of an animal especially one slaughtered and dressed for food

conservation education Teaching and learning about the preservation and protection of the environment and the wise use of natural resources.

corvid the scientific name for the genus also known as the crow.

deploy To perform a remote installation.

eaglet A young eagle.

fidelity the quality of being faithful

fledge Begin to fly. A bird fledges when it takes its first flight out of the nest.

gender an individual's male or female status

GPS (Global Positioning System) A worldwide radio-navigation system made of a network of government-controlled satellites and their ground stations. The system uses these "man-made stars" as reference points to calculate and pinpoint a radio receiver's position in latitude, longitude and altitude.

habitat A place with all the requirements necessary for a plant or animal to live. Habitats include the required food, water, cover, and space.

habitual patterns repeated behavior patterns

hacking Removing young eaglets from one area and releasing them into another to build up a population.

hallux length the length of the toe claw, used to determine the gender of eagles

incubate to sit on eggs keeping them warm until they hatch

kestrel A small North American falcon: sparrow hawk

migration The periodic passage of groups of animals (especially birds or fishes) from one region to another for feeding or breeding.

natal relating to birth

phenology the study of the ways in which the timing and other aspects of periodic events, such as flowering in plants, are affected by climate or other environmental factors.

PTT abbreviation for "platform transmitter terminals." This transmitter, which sends a signal to the satellite, is fitted to the back of the eagle like a small backpack.

raptor a bird that hunts and eats meat; also known as bird of prey. Raptors use their talons to catch their food and their strong, curved beaks for tearing food into bite-sized pieces. Falcons, hawks, eagles, and owls are raptors.

resource management Planning for and use of natural resources.

rocket net a large net propelled forward with small rockets used for surprise capture

roost(n.) A perch or shelter where birds return to rest.

scavenger an animal that feeds on dead animals that it did not kill

talon a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey

thermal small rising column of air due to surface heating.

transmitter A device that converts electrical signals for transmission to a distant point.

Watershed- A watershed is an area of land that drains ultimately to a particular watercourse or body of water.