How do scientists test Bald Eagles navigational patterns?
A. We really haven’t “tested” their navigational skills, but have deduced some of their pathways and patterns from banding and marking numerous birds and then receiving sightings or recovering dead birds. Also by affixing both conventional and new satellite radio telemetry devices to the birds then following their movements and analyzing where and when they go, deducing clues from their movements. For example from the satellite data, it’s easy to see if an eagle is following a water course, where they stop for the night, etc. See above for more about migration behavior.
