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, <br />41 <br />Primary habitat of the bald eagle along the Platte River is <br />riparian woodland. Nearly 62% of the bald eagles sighted in the <br />winters of 1978-79, and 1979-80 were recorded in riparian <br />woodlands (Currier et al. 1985, USFWS 1981). Shelterbelts and <br />woodlots away from the river were the next most important habitat <br />component (Table 14) (USFWS 1981). No data were collected on <br />bald eagle use of adjacentreservoirs during 1978-80 (USFWS <br />1981). Habitat changes in the Platte River valley have enhanced <br />some aspects of winter habitat for bald eagles. The growth of <br />trees in the floodplain has benef'itted bald eagles by providing <br />roost sites and perches. <br />B. ForactinQ <br />During their 3-4 month stay in the Platte River valley, bald <br />eagles forage on a variety of rough fish and waterfowl (Lingle <br />and Krapu 1986). Analysis of 2,858 egested.pellets indicated the <br />following composition of major prey items: mallard -37t, eastern <br />cottontail - 9%, Canada goose - 8t, carp - 5t, and meadow vole - <br />3t (Lingle and Krapu 1986). Fish are a more important component <br />of bald eagle diets than the pellet analysis indicates. Fewer <br />fish remains are present in eagle pellets because,fish are more <br />easily digested than are birds or mammals (Lingle and Krapu <br />1986). Through field observations on the Platte River, Lingle <br />and Krapu (1986) found that bald eagles preferred fish above <br />other foods, but their availability declined as ice-cover <br />increased. Reservoir operation has provided additional open <br />water areas used as foraging habitat by bald eagles. When fish <br />are not available, bald eagles forage on birds, small mammals and <br />carrion (Steenhof 1978, Fisher et al. 1981). . <br />5. FORAGE FISH <br />In general terms, sand shiners occupy relatively shallow water <br />with low velocities. Substrate characteristics occupied by sand <br />shiners include Silty sand and sand-sized particles which are <br />important for spawning and egg incubation. Substrate size and <br />cover characteristics of sand shiner habitat are important during <br />the various life stages. A summary of habitat characteristics by <br />life stage and season is shown in Table 15.