Haliaeetus leucocephalus

In the late 1950s, as few as 400 pairs of bald eagles remained in the lower 48 states. Banning of the insecticide DDT, control of illegal shooting, and improved habitat protection have allowed a dramatic recovery. By 1997, the population had grown to more than 5,000 pairs.
Photo Credit: Gerald and Buff Corsi
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Common Name: bald eagle
Animal Guild: Bird
Class > Order > Family: Aves > Accipitriformes > Accipitridae
What does the species look like? The bald eagle is the largest raptor in North America except for the California condor. Adult wingspan ranges from 1.8-2.5 meters (5-8 feet). Adults have a distinctive dark body and wings with a white head and tail. Juveniles may be confused with golden eagles, but are more or less mottled dark and white, depending on age. They usually have white mottling on the underside of the forewing whereas golden eagles usually have white only on the trailing edge of the wing.
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AB, AK, AL, AR, AZ, BC, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NB, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NL, NM, NS, NT, NU, NV, NY, OH, OK, ON, OR, PA, PE, QC, RI, SC, SD, SK, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, YT
Distribution

Bald Eagles breed in Alaska and Canada south of the tundra and in all of the contiguous United States except RI, VT, and HI. They winter throughout that range, wherever there is open water and sufficient food.

Bald Eagles nest in forested areas coasts, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that are large enough to support fish and/or waterfowl, the most common food resources. Nests are usually in trees, occasionally on the ground or on a cliff. Nests are very large, up to 3 m. (10 ft.) across, so the nest tree must be very large. Nest trees are often on the edge of a forest or woodland. Bald eagles overwinter along the coasts and at large river systems of the interior where they congregate into groups that require large roosting trees that will protect them from inclement weather.
General Phenology and Life History This species has complex migration patterns. In general, populations breeding north of 40°N in the continental interior (including Alaska) migrate south between August and January, with immatures departing breeding grounds first and migrating the farthest south. Southern adults (breeding south of 40°N) usually do not migrate but remain year-round in the vicinity of the nest site. Some southern immatures migrate north in the spring or summer and these individuals return southward from August to December. Many eagles move from their breeding areas to winter feeding grounds where food is abundant. In the Pacific Northwest, these movements are often tied to salmon migrations. Nests generally are used for multiple years. Eggs are laid in late winter or early spring, depending on location. In Florida, the breeding season is prolonged, with incubation beginning as early as October and extending as late as April, while in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, WY, clutches are laid from early March to mid-April, and in Arizona eggs are typically laid from late January to mid-February. In Alaska and Yukon Territory, laying extends from late April to the end of May. The incubation period has generally been reported to last about 35 days. Young remain in the nest for 8 to 14 weeks after hatching and are fed by the adults for up to 10 weeks after fledging.
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Live individuals
One or more individuals are seen or heard moving about or at rest.
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Feeding
One or more individuals are seen feeding or foraging. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field.

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Calls or song
One or more individuals are heard calling or singing.

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Territorial individuals
One or more individuals are seen or heard defending a territory. This may be indicated by calls or song used as part of a territorial proclamation, chasing of an individual of the same species from a breeding area (but do not confuse this with courtship behavior, which in some species may involve chasing), or calls or displays directed at individuals of the same or a different species to defend a feeding area.

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Reproduction Courtship
A male and female are seen near one another and are engaged in courtship behavior. Do not include male displays in the absence of a female.

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Mating
A male and female are seen coupled in a mating position, usually with the male on top of the female.

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Nest building
One or more adults are seen constructing a nest or carrying nesting material.

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Occupied nest
One or more adults are seen sitting on a nest, entering or leaving a nest site under circumstances indicating its use for nesting (including nest defense behavior), or live eggs or nestlings are seen in a nest.

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Development Nestlings
One or more young are seen or heard in a nest.

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Fledged young
One or more young are seen recently departed from the nest. This includes young incapable of sustained flight and young which are still dependent on adults.

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Dead individuals
One or more dead individuals are seen.

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Dead nestlings or fledglings
One ore more dead nestlings or young are seen.

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Method Individuals at a feeding station
One or more individuals are seen visiting a feeder, feeding station, or food placed by a person.

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What do these phenophases look like?

There is currently no photoguide available for this species. If you'd like help us create one, use the guidance document and species template provided here. Then send it via email to education@usanpn.org when it is complete.

ITIS information for bald eagle (ITIS TSN: 175420 )