Birds diurnal

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

The ultimate symbol of American wilderness, the Bald Eagle is a master of the skies and a breathtaking sight for any backyard observer. Discover how to spot these majestic raptors as they soar, hunt, and thrive near our waterways.

8 Sightings

1 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 28-40 in (70-102 cm); Wingspan: 5.9-7.5 ft (1.8-2.3 m); Weight: 6.6-14 lbs (3-6.3 kg)

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Colors

Adults feature a snowy white head and tail with a dark chocolate-brown body; juveniles are mottled brown and white, gradually gaining adult plumage over 5 years.

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Key Features

Distinctive white head and tail in adults
Massive, bright yellow hooked beak
Broad, flat wingspan up to 7.5 feet
Bright yellow unfeathered legs and feet

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 7-11 AM and 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round; sightings often peak in winter in the lower 48 as northern birds migrate south to find open water.

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Diet Primarily piscivorous (fish-eaters), but highly opportunistic; they also hunt waterfowl, small mammals like rabbits, and frequently scavenge carrion or roadkill.

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Habitat Found near large bodies of open water (oceans, lakes, rivers) with surrounding old-growth trees for nesting and perching.

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Behavior

Bald Eagles are powerful, opportunistic predators that spend a significant portion of their day perched high in 'sentinel' trees, scanning the water for movement. While they are exceptional hunters, they are also famous for their role as 'pirates' of the sky, frequently harassing Ospreys or other smaller raptors to steal their catch. Their social structure is primarily solitary or pair-based during the nesting season, though they can congregate in the hundreds at communal winter roosts or near abundant food sources like salmon runs.

Despite their fierce appearance, their vocalizations are surprisingly delicate, consisting of high-pitched whistles and chirps. They are extremely territorial of their nesting sites, which they may return to year after year, adding more sticks until the nest weighs over a ton. In interactions with humans, they are generally shy and will abandon a perch if approached too closely, though they are increasingly adapting to suburban environments near large lakes and rivers.

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Camera Tips

To capture a Bald Eagle on your trail camera, you need to change your perspective from the ground to the sky. These birds rarely spend time on the forest floor unless they are feeding on a large carcass. If you have tall trees on your property—especially those with a clear view of a nearby lake or river—mount your camera 10–15 feet up a trunk, angled slightly downward toward a sturdy, horizontal branch. These 'lookout' branches are favorite spots for eagles to digest their meals or scout for prey.

If you live on a waterfront property, consider placing a camera on a dock piling or a dedicated post near the shoreline. Positioning your camera to face North or South will help prevent 'sun-blind' shots during the golden hours of dawn and dusk when eagles are most active. Because of their incredible eyesight, try to use a camera with a 'no-glow' or 'black' infrared flash for nighttime shots, as standard red-glow LEDs might startle them if they are roosting nearby.

For those in rural areas during the winter, placing a camera near natural carrion in an open field can result in spectacular ground-level footage. However, ensure the camera is mounted to a very heavy t-post or a weighted base; the 'propeller wash' from an eagle's wings during takeoff is powerful enough to knock over lightweight tripods. Set your camera to 'Hybrid Mode' (photo + video) with a 30-second video delay to capture the dramatic landing and the subsequent scanning behavior that makes these birds so fascinating to watch.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Bald Eagle.

Golden Eagle

Golden Eagles are entirely brown with a golden sheen on the neck, lacking the white head and tail of the adult Bald Eagle.

Turkey Vulture

Smaller head and a distinctive 'V' shaped flight profile, unlike the flat-winged soar of an eagle.

Osprey

Ospreys have a prominent dark eye stripe and white underparts, and their wings have a distinct 'M' shape when viewed from below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bald Eagles are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. You are most likely to see them hunting in the early morning shortly after sunrise or in the late afternoon before they head to their night roosts.

You cannot attract eagles with traditional bird feeders. The best way to encourage them is to maintain tall, sturdy trees like pines or sycamores and protect local water quality to ensure a healthy fish population. They value privacy and tall vantage points.

Fish make up about 70-90% of their diet, including salmon, trout, and catfish. However, they are opportunistic and will eat ducks, turtles, muskrats, and even scavenge on deer carcasses during the winter.

Yes, their populations have rebounded significantly. They are now frequently found in suburban neighborhoods that are within a few miles of large lakes, reservoirs, or rivers, often nesting in tall trees behind homes.

Look at the wings while they soar. Bald Eagles hold their wings perfectly flat like a plank, whereas Turkey Vultures hold theirs in a 'V' shape (dihedral) and tend to teeter or rock back and forth in the wind.

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