Overview:  Breeding populations of this symbolic species are present in Washington, Oregon and Idaho and, according to recent surveys, bald eagle populations are making significant come-backs.  Like other raptor populations, DDT use after WWII is thought to have been a major cause for great declines in numbers.  Since the banning of this pesticide and the listing of this species, on both state and federal ESA levels, recovery efforts have been successful. Habitat of the bald eagle can vary from range to range but generally nesting birds are found in mature, secluded forest ecosystems where there is flowing streams, open water, and abundant fish species.  However, bald eagles are increasingly becoming more tolerant to human presence, as evidenced by a pair that has nested in a cottonwood tree in a Kent, WA backyard (Click on this link to see live web-cam footage). Within Washington, the Skagit River is one of the key wintering areas, with as many as 500 eagles found on the upper reaches of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River System.  In general, it seems as if wintering populations seem to be stable and increasing within Washington State.  According to the WDFW (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) in 1978 just over 100 nesting pairs of eagles were present in Washington state.  Today it is estimated that there are approximately 600 pairs.  Recently, due to the successful increase in bald eagle populations, the USFWS (US Fish and Wildlife Service) has called for a reevaluation of this species status in order to determine if it should be delisted from the Endangered species list.  For more information on this proposed delisting and other information on bald eagles check out the WDFW’s web page @ http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/wlm/research/eagle/eagle.htmor the North Cascades' page @http://www.nps.gov/noca/treas4-2.htm
 

ID Distribution: Bald eagle populations in Idaho are found along the streams and lakes where they feed.  On this sightings map, those lakes and streams that are frequently utilized by bald eagles have been indicated.  The number of Idaho's nesting eagles has risen from a low of 14 pairs in 1977 to 77 pairs in 1995.  During the winter, the large lakes in the Idaho panhandle and along the Clearwater, Kootenai and Snake River systems provide  feeding habitat for about 900 bald eagles.
 
 
 
 
 
 

OR Distribution: Although we do not have a sightings map for Oregon's bald eagles, they are present along the Oregon coast and the west side of the Cascades.  The east side supports bald eagle populations as well, but in fewer numbers due to the relative scarcity of suitable habitat.  Over 200 nesting pairs of bald eagles have been documented in this state.  When the flocks of migratory waterfowl arrive, the Klamath Basin supports 600-1000 bald eagles, the highest concentration of wintering eagles south of Canada