Are Bald Eagles Endangered? (Threats, Numbers + FAQs)

vulture (White-headed catfish) has been the national bird of the United States for more than two centuries and is one of the most recognizable birds worldwide.

Bald eagles have a wide range, although they are confined to North America, from Alaska, Canada, and the continental United States to northern Mexico.

Bald eagles are not endangered. Their population in the contiguous United States currently exceeds 300,000, and their numbers continue to increase. However, their position is not always so safe. In fact, by the mid-1900s, the bald eagle had disappeared from most of the United States and was not listed as an endangered species until 2007. Their return underscores that they are a true conservation success story in the United States.

Bald eagles were very common before Europeans arrived in the Americas. Settlers saw them as a threat to farming, trapping and fishing, a belief that persisted into the 20th century. However, the introduction of a pesticide called DDT may be the biggest reason for their decline.

Sadly, by the late 1970s, habitat loss, shootings, and poisoning had reduced their population to around 450 pairs in the lower 48 US states.

Read on as we learn about the bald eagle, a familiar bird that’s making a comeback.

Bald eagle populations aren’t always safe—their return is a true story of U.S. conservation success

Why are bald eagles endangered?

The bald eagle was first added to the endangered species list in 1978. By then, the U.S. population had dropped to dangerous levels and serious action was needed to save America’s national bird.

Read on to learn what causes bald eagle numbers to be so low.

shooting

Bald eagle populations probably declined most rapidly starting in the 1800s. At the time, they were considered predators of livestock and considered a nuisance. Alaska didn’t have bounties until 1953, and at least 120,195 eagles were shot. In that state, they are believed to have negatively impacted the salmon fishing and fox farming industries.

However, shooting is just as much of a threat to southern bald eagles. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 62 percent of the dead eagles found between 1962 and 1965 were shot. Today that number has dropped below 20%.

pesticide

The next major milestone in the decline of the bald eagle population was the introduction and widespread use of DDT in the 1940s. This insecticide is very effective at controlling pests like mosquitoes, but it has some scary side effects on birds of prey like bald eagles.

As the chemical moves up the food chain, it builds up in the eagles, causing them to lay eggs with fragile shells. When the parents incubate them, these eggs rupture, killing the developing chicks. Thankfully, this chemical was banned in 1972, although some traces of it still exist in the environment today.

Shooting and pesticides are the two main reasons bald eagles are endangered

What are the threats to bald eagles?

The bald eagle has been brought back from the brink of extinction and is considered safe today. However, these birds continue to face multiple threats. These include:

habitat loss

Habitat loss may be the greatest threat to wildlife worldwide. Industry, urban and suburban expansion, and agricultural development have reduced the available habitat for bald eagles.

lead poisoning

Lead ammunition left in wild animal carcasses is the leading cause of wild vulture poisoning. Ingestion of this toxic heavy metal may reduce population growth in the northeastern United States by 4-6%.

other reasons

• Pollution from persistent organic chemicals
• Electric shock and collision with infrastructure
• Illegal hunting, trapping and poisoning

Bald eagle flying in the snow in Alaska

bald eagle predator

Bald eagles also face natural threats, such as predation. Adult vultures are generally safe from predators unless sick or injured, but their young are always vulnerable.

The following animals are known to feed on vulture eggs:

• black bear
• raccoon
• crow
• crow
• magpie

These animals are known for preying on young eaglets:

• raccoon
• black bear
• bobcats
• Wolverine
• crow
• crow
• owl
• eagles

disease

Bald eagles are susceptible to a number of diseases, but relatively low disease-related mortality rates have been recorded. Bald eagles can be affected by the following conditions and infections:

• Aspergillosis
• fowl cholera
• enteritis
• liver necrosis
• myocardial infarction
• peritonitis
• pneumonia
• septicemia

Bald eagle perched on a tree in British Columbia, Canada

How many bald eagles are there in the wild?

In 1963, the number of bald eagles in the contiguous United States dropped to just 417 pairs. Thankfully, the species has recovered substantially, and as of early 2021, there are believed to be at least 316,000 bald eagles in the lower 48 states. The current population has grown rapidly from 72,434 in 2009 – an incredible four-fold increase.

How rare is it to see a bald eagle?

Bald eagles are the most common hawk in the United States. These birds were once endangered, but are now abundant from northern Mexico all the way to Alaska. Bald eagles are migratory throughout most of the United States, but they breed as residents in certain areas.

You can see bald eagles all over the United States throughout the year, including parts of Florida, the Pacific Northwest and New England. Elsewhere, bald eagles are breeding for visitors to the northern Great Lakes region and winter visitors elsewhere.

Juvenile bald eagles are often confused with golden eagles

Which state has the most bald eagles?

Alaska has the largest population of bald eagles of any US state. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game estimates the population at approximately 30,000 individuals. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Florida are the most populous of the lower 48 states.

Read on to learn more about bald eagle populations in these US states.

Minnesota

Bald eagles are abundant in Minnesota. As of 2005, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources estimated that there were 1,312 active nests in the North Star State. That’s an impressive increase from about 100 active nests in the early 1970s.

Florida

Florida is a hotspot for bald eagles. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are approximately 1,500 breeding pairs in the Sunshine State.

the state of Wisconsin

Wisconsin is home to the American bald eagle. They are especially common in the northern part of the state, although they are known to breed in 71 of Badger State’s 72 counties.

Bald eagle catches fish from water

Is it illegal to kill a bald eagle?

Bald eagles are protected under federal law. Killing one of these beloved birds can lead to a conviction and jail time or hefty fines.

Condors were first given special protection under the Condor Protection Act of 1940, which not only protected them from being killed, but also protected them from being harmed, abused, sold, bought or disturbed while nesting.

Their body parts (including feathers), eggs and even their nests are similarly protected. These eagles are also protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.