FACT SHEET

WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/factshts/baldeagle.htm

March 2001

Bald Eagles in Washington

Bald eagles have increased in Washington State from about 105 nesting pairs in 1980,
to about 650 pairs today. The present spring population of up to 2,000 eagles compares
to perhaps 6,000- 10,000 eagles when Lewis and Clark first visited Washington in 1805.

Many additional eagles that breed in Alaska and British Columbia come to Washington
for the winter to feed on spawned salmon. The last state-wide winter survey in 1989
counted almost 2,900 eagles, and there may now be up to 3-4,000 present during
winter.

The recovery of bald eagles in recent years

can be attributed to several factors, including
the ban on the use of the pesticide DDT,
protection of nesting and roosting habitat, the
use of non-toxic shot for waterfowl hunting,
and probably, a reduction in shooting and
persecution.

In Washington, a small portion of eagle nests

are in parks and other protected public lands,
but 2/3 of nests are located on private lands.
Private landowners who have cooperated in protecting nesting birds and their habitat
deserve our thanks in helping eagles recover to their present numbers.

As a result of recent increases in bald eagles, they may be removed from the federal list
of threatened and endangered species in 2001and Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife is reviewing their status as a state threatened species. However, bald eagles
will still be protected by state and federal laws.

Bald Eagle Biology

Bald eagles have a wing span of 6 to 7 feet, and weigh 6-15 pounds. Juvenile and
sub adult eagles lack the white head and tail, and display various patterns of dark
brown, light brown, gray, and white. Eagles do not acquire their distinctive adult
plumage until about 5 years of age. Bald eagles typically do not breed until 6-8 years of
age. Once they have established a territory they often return to it year after year.
Bald eagles in Washington are migratory, and eagles that nest in Washington typically
move north after nesting and spend several weeks each year feeding on early salmon
runs in coastal British Columbia and southeast Alaska. Many of the eagles that
concentrate along rivers in Washington during winter are birds that nest in Alaska,
British Columbia, and Montana. Washington nesters usually return to their territories by
late January.

Bald eagles are not fussy eaters ,and will take advantage of a wide variety of foods,
including fish, birds, carrion, and miscellaneous small mammals, mollusks, and
crustaceans. Fish, including spawned salmon, carp, suckers, bullheads, and summers
die-offs of perch are among the wide variety of fish eaten. Birds that are frequent prey
include gulls, waterfowl, coots, seabirds, pigeons, and crows.

Habitat needs of bald eagles include timber with large trees near water. In Washington,
97% of nests are within 3,000 ft of a marine, lake or river shore. Large trees along
shorelines are important perch sites for foraging. At night, eagles often perch together in
communal roosts. Roost sites are selected that provide a favorable microclimate, such
as protection from prevailing winds. Many roosts located near winter food sources are
used year after year.

The longevity record for bald eagles in the wild is at least 28 years, but the average life
span is often much shorter. One study estimated the maximum lifespan for birds from
the Yellowstone area at 15.4 years and a study of Alaska birds estimated the average at
19 years. Sources of adult mortality include fighting with other eagles, and a variety of
human-related causes including shooting, electrocution on power lines, vehicle
collisions, and poisoning.
 http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/research/raptor/eagle/eagle.htm

EagleCam: The bald eagle is a Sensitive Species in

Washington. About 1300 nesting pairs of bald
WDFW EagleCam -
eagles reside in the state. Several hundred
View nesting additional bald eagles occupy rivers and
eagles live online! streams each winter to feed on carcasses of
chum and coho salmon that have returned to
Fast Facts: spawn.

Bald eagles that The Skagit River is one of the key

nest in Washington
constitute a
wintering areas for bald eagles in the Pacific
different Northwest, with as many as 500 eagles found
population than
eagles that winter on the upper reaches within the Skagit Wild
here. After nesting, and Scenic River System (SW&SRS). The
breeding eagles
migrate to British river is also popular for sport fishing, rafting,
Columbia and and bird watching. Between 1996 and 2007
southeast Alaska Adult eagle perched on
for several weeks the WDFW, in cooperation with the Forest roosting tree along the
in the fall before Service and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Skagit River.
they return to
Washington. initiated a research project to help clarify the
Little has been importance of winter activities to the health
documented about
bald eagle of Skagit River bald eagles.
longevity in the
wild. A few band
returns from Eagles were trapped, banded, and affixed
Alaska show wild with satellite transmitters to monitor their
eagles may live up movements. By following these eagles, we
to 35 years.
identified their origins, the status of breeding
Bald eagles molt
through several populations where they originated, and their
transitional individual survival.
plumages before Chum salmon carcasses are
attaining the white the principal reason eagles
head and tail concentrate along the river
characteristic of a during winter.
sexually-mature
adult (see photos).
Although bald
eagles establish
strong pair-bonds,
telemetry data
suggests
individuals of a
mated pair may be
supplanted by
other adults more
often than
traditionally
believed.

Related Links:
 Raptor Information Transitional plumages of bald eagles from juvenile
System through adult.
Argos Satellite
Telemetry Website
K- 12 students
learn about wildlife
migration
throughout N.
America, including
Skagit River bald
eagles

Sensitive Species - "Any wildlife species native to the state of Washington that is
vulnerable or declining and is likely to become endangered or threatened throughout a
significant portion of its range within the state without cooperative management or removal
of threats."

WAC 232-12-297, Section 2.6

The bald eagle was delisted in 2007 at the federal level by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), and classified as a Sensitive species in by the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. In 1978 just
over 100 nesting pairs of eagles were known in
Washington. Since that time the nesting population has
increased to approximately 1300 pairs. The banning of
DDT in the 1970's is thought to have contributed to
the increases in the nesting population. Wintering
populations in Washington are thought to be stable or
increasing. Habitat loss continues to be a threat to
breeding and wintering bald eagle populations.

Each year thousands of people visit the Skagit River to fish, raft,
and view eagles. The river is an extremely popular destination for
outdoor enthusiasts interested in seeing one of the largest
concentrations of wintering bald eagles anywhere in the lower 48
states. Over 300 eagles use the river during the peak month
January.

Eagles were trapped on gravel bars along the river where they fed
on salmon carcasses. Snares placed around the carcasses, and
controlled remotely, were used to capture the birds. Blue band
markers were be placed on the legs of all captured eagles,
identifying the Skagit River (S), year of capture (6), and a letter
specific to the eagle (a-z).
Satellite transmitters were attached to adult eagles with backpack
harnesses. Signals from the transmitters were received by NOAA
satellites and location data were sent to ground stations then
retrieved via computer by biologists.

Skagit River Bald Eagles: 1998 Progress Report

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/research/raptor/eagle/skagit98.pdf