Bald Eagle Demographics
Where do bald eagles live?
They live almost exclusively around water—lakes, rivers, ponds, oceans—in North America: all around the United States, except Hawaii, and throughout most of Canada.- PN
Why are there so many Bald Eagles in Alaska?
Because of the available habitat there: open water, plentiful food, and undisturbed habitats abound. – PN
How does temperature affect where Bald Eagles live?
Bald Eagles live in dramatic temperature extremes, from hot deserts of Arizona and the heat of Florida and the Southern United States, to near the tree line in extreme northern Canada and Alaska. They seem quite adaptable to weather / temperature extremes. – PN
Are there bald eagles west of the Rockies?
Absolutely! Bald Eagles are found in all 48 continental states as well as Alaska. Only Hawaii doesn’t have Bald Eagles. The Pacific Northwest has a very large Bald Eagle population, with hundreds of pairs breeding in Oregon and Washington. – PN
How many nesting pairs of bald eagles are in the United States?
The Bald Eagle Population Size Report: 2020 Update provides the most current population estimate of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. The bald eagle population climbed to an estimated 316,700 individual bald eagles, including 71,400 nesting pairs. This estimate indicates that the bald eagle population has quadrupled since the last set of data was collected in 2009.
What is the lifespan of a bald eagle?
The life span of eagles in the wild is generally around 30 years. The longest that any Bald Eagle has been known to live in the wild is 39 years. In captivity, they may live over 50 years due to fewer hazards and veterinary care.
About 50 percent died during the first year due to their inexperience at meeting the dangers of living in the wild. After their first year, about 90 percent survive each year.