If an eagle is in the area, why would a bird (ex: goose) never return to the area?

Question

I know the obvious answer is because they think there's an eagle there. But is there any good source of scientific evidence that confirms this? Thanks!

Answer 1

Maybe the goose feels threatened by the presence of the eagle. In my pond, when the Igrits (sp) come around, the ducks all leave.  

Answer 2

I live very near the St. Croix river where the eagles live in the bluffs.  Have eagles soaring overhead the farm every day.  I also live near a creek.  Baby geese every year, eagles don't mess with them for fear of the parents.  As the eagles now are many, I don't have ducks or pheasants anymore.  An eagle won't hunt something larger than itself.        

Answer 3

I suppose it is true for any bird that is a natural prey for the eagle. Their survival instinct tells them to avoid eagle territory as much as possible. But a bird like a kiwi or penguin, for example, probably won't heed the warning sign of an eagle because they don't know any better. They become ignorant victims and won't learn till they are exposed to the new predator for a couple of generations. In some cases, like island birds, it is too late as the entire species is wiped out in a couple of generations.