Do Bald Eagles Migrate?

While it’s easy to think of bald eagles (White-headed catfish) Occupying only mountainous regions, bald eagle populations extend from the Far East to the Far West in North and Central America. They can be found as far north as Alaska and northern Canada and as far south as Chihuahua, Mexico. Many species of eagles are non-migratory, but what about bald eagles? Do bald eagles migrate?

Many bald eagles do migrate in parts of the United States, Canada, and Central America—they have been described as partial migrations. Once a bald eagle finds a mate and establishes a territory, it needs a good reason to leave, such as food shortages. Bald eagles in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest typically migrate in late summer most years. Those spread farther south and along the southwestern coast of the United States rarely migrate.

Bald eagle migration is complex and highly sensitive to environmental conditions. The main motivation for the migration is food shortages, especially in winter, when lakes start to freeze and animals retreat to their dens and burrows to hibernate.

When food is scarce, bald eagles tend to roam south, but some bald eagles actually move north. If you’re very lucky, you might spot a flock of 10 to 20 bald eagles migrating in the same direction—one of the only times they’re sociable.

Read on to learn more about this eagle’s fascinating migratory behavior.

many bald eagles do migrate

When Do Bald Eagles Migrate?

Condors in the far north tend to fly south at any time from late August to late January. The reasons why some people migrate so late in winter are still poorly understood, but migration is almost always linked to food shortages.

Bald eagles in the Great Lakes region often travel south in winter, following rivers and waterways through the Appalachians. Eagles from the Northwest Territories, Alberta and Saskatchewan migrate south earlier than other populations around September.

On the Pacific Northwest coast, bald eagles frequently fly north in winter and may stalk salmon as they fly north. Eagles as far south as California can travel all the way to Alaska in search of salmon.

This seems to pose a conundrum – why do some eagles head north and some south? It could be that different hawks have different food preferences, or that some are particularly keen on traveling fall/winter salmon movements.

The migratory behavior of juvenile bald eagles is slightly different; they are more likely to roam in any direction, not necessarily following typical north-to-south or south-to-north migration routes.

Abundance of salmon key to bald eagle migration

Why do bald eagles migrate?

Vultures migrate almost exclusively in search of food. That’s why they go north and south, out to the coast and inland.

In North America, winter is not always associated with a decline in food abundance, as some aquatic animals move north to spawn in cooler waters. Bald eagles aren’t the only American birds that fly north in winter — pelicans are another notable example.

Salmon are the main driver of bald eagle migration – and salmon are complex and interesting migrators themselves! Eagles may follow salmon as they head upstream to their spawning grounds. When rivers and lakes in the Northern Territory freeze over, bald eagles are likely to head south until they find fresh, unfrozen water again.

It is worth mentioning that the bald eagle is actually a species of sea eagle, and some species eat almost exclusively fish. The average bald eagle’s diet consists of more than 50 percent fish. That’s why finding fish-rich waters is a top priority during winter when lakes start to freeze over.

Close-up portrait of Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

How far do bald eagles migrate?

Bald eagles tend to migrate during the day, looking for thermal currents and winds to carry them in the direction they need to go. Migrants with radio tags have been recorded traveling more than 200 kilometers in one day at an average speed of around 30 kilometers per hour.

Instead of expending energy by beating their wings, the bald eagle chooses to soar at an altitude of about 1,500 to 3,050 meters.

Do all bald eagles migrate?

Of course not—it’s unclear how many bald eagles migrate. Populations further north seem most likely to migrate, unless they can make up for food losses by tracking winter salmon stocks.

Even so, some populations in upper Alaska remain there year-round, while others choose to migrate. The reason there is no consensus depends on the food available.

Three bald eagles perched on the Kenai Mountains in Alaska

The further south you go, the less likely bald eagles are to migrate. Those distributed farther south than California, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, and North and South Carolina are generally sedentary and do not roam far from their territories . However, there are exceptions — Florida’s bald eagles regularly migrate north to the Atlantic coast, across the Appalachian Mountains, and across the Mississippi River basin.

What seems clear is that all migrating eagles return to the same breeding grounds each year. Vultures are territorial creatures and tend to fly great distances out of need rather than desire. It could be that different eagles have different strategies for finding food in winter, or they choose to migrate for reasons we simply don’t understand.

juvenile vulture migration

Juvenile bald eagles tend to roam rather than migrate. After leaving the nest and away from their parents, juvenile bald eagles can spend 3 to 4 years exploring. By the end of their great exploration, they will be nearing sexual maturity and looking to establish a territory with a mate.

Juvenile bald eagle perched on water

When do bald eagles migrate north?

Bald eagles are more likely to migrate north along the warmer Pacific Northwest coast. Some hawks fly south from Alaska, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Alberta, while others head north along the coast in search of salmon.

In the west, bald eagles rarely, if ever, migrate north in winter. Instead, they tend to follow inland rivers and waterways.

How do bald eagles survive the winter?

Bald eagles don’t migrate just for warmth, some stay year-round in the upper reaches of Alaska, where temperatures can plummet to -35C.

Bald eagles have an incredibly thick, dense coat made up of thousands of feathers, perfect for trapping heat. They can also induce a state of active hypothermia, which allows them to control energy expenditure, expending as much energy as is needed to keep warm without wasting any energy. By reducing their foraging behavior, the bald eagles use more energy to keep warm.

Winter is one of the only times when bald eagles join communal groups — non-breeding bald eagles often form roosting groups, huddling together for warmth on cold nights.

Bald eagle standing on a snowy mountain in winter

Do bald eagles migrate together?

Bald eagles usually migrate alone or in pairs, but rarely fly together.

Bald eagles have been spotted flying together in flocks, especially along major rivers like the Mississippi. Young birds are most likely to form small flocks during migration and tend to stay away from adults.

Bald Eagle Migration FAQs

Do bald eagles migrate to Florida?

Florida bald eagles tend to be there year-round. Some, however, migrated to Florida, or at least likely lingered on its western fringes. Those who migrated from Florida to the Atlantic coast or across the Appalachian Mountains or the Mississippi River valley.

Do bald eagles migrate from Canada?

Bald eagles migrate from the Arctic to Canada, and from southern Canada to the United States and the west and east coasts. Bald eagle migration in Canada is complex, but bald eagles in its northernmost range are likely to migrate after its lake fishing grounds freeze over. They’ll probably only go where they need to go to find freshwater fish, like salmon.

Do Colorado’s bald eagles migrate?

About 1,000 bald eagles migrate to or across Colorado each year. From around September to December, birds from Canada or Alaska can be seen foraging and fishing in Colorado’s rivers and lakes.

Bald eagles that live in Colorado can stay year-round, provided they can find food during the winter.

bald eagle take off

Do Michigan’s bald eagles migrate?

Bald eagles can be found in most Michigan counties, and the majority of the population appears to remain local, choosing not to migrate.

Do Minnesota’s bald eagles migrate?

The Upper Mississippi River in Minnesota is a major migration route for bald eagles migrating south in winter. Bald eagles travel along the Mississippi River from Wisconsin and Canada. The Mississippi Valley is rich in fish and attracts many bald eagles.

Do Washington State’s bald eagles migrate in winter?

Washington State’s resident bald eagles tend to inhabit the Puget Sound area. The Pacific Northwest coast is an important migration route for the north-south migration of bald eagles. Washington State’s resident bald eagle populations often increase during the winter months.

Do bald eagles migrate in Vermont?

Many bald eagles migrate to Maine from Canada and the Great Lakes region, and some stop in Vermont. As such, Vermont is home to both migratory and resident populations of bald eagles.