Bald eagles are not only present in Alaska, but the state is home to the largest concentration of these magnificent raptors in North America. The national bird finds an ideal environment within Alaska’s vast, pristine ecosystems, far exceeding the numbers found in the contiguous United States. This abundance results from a unique combination of undeveloped habitat and an unparalleled food supply, allowing the population to flourish across the state’s extensive coastline and inland river systems. Alaska serves as a stronghold for the species.
The Sheer Number of Eagles
The population of bald eagles in Alaska is estimated to be around 30,000 individual birds at the time of fledging each year. Including non-breeding adults and sub-adults, estimates suggest the total number of eagles across the state can be as high as 100,000 to 150,000 birds. This immense population is far greater than the combined numbers of eagles in the lower 48 states, highlighting Alaska’s importance to the species. The population is sustained by ecological conditions offering minimal human development pressure and reliable food sources.
Population density figures further illustrate this concentration, particularly in Southeast Alaska, which has the highest nesting density globally. The vast, undeveloped coastline provides thousands of miles of suitable habitat. Eagles tend to establish territories along marine shorelines, rivers, and lakes, where access to fish is consistent.
Prime Alaskan Habitats
The coastal temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska, often called the Panhandle, represents the core habitat for bald eagles. This region provides abundant fish and secure nesting sites, the two necessities for a thriving eagle population. The coastal environment is rich with salmon, herring, and other marine life, which makes up the majority of the eagle’s diet. Eagles construct their massive nests within the area’s substantial old-growth forests, preferring Sitka spruce and western hemlock trees.
One of the world’s most spectacular wildlife gatherings occurs at the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines. Up to 4,000 bald eagles congregate here in the late fall and early winter to feed on a late run of chum salmon. This event is sustained by a unique geological feature: warm water upwellings beneath the Chilkat River keep sections of the river ice-free when other food sources are frozen. This accessible, concentrated source of spawned-out salmon carcases attracts eagles from across Alaska and Canada.
Admiralty Island is another location with an extremely high density of bald eagles. The island’s Kootznoowoo Wilderness, part of the Tongass National Forest, is characterized by its old-growth temperate rainforests along the saltwater shorelines. Eagles establish their large, sturdy nests in the towering trees adjacent to the water, ensuring a short flight to their fishing grounds. Alaskan nests are among the largest of any bird in North America, with pairs often returning to and rebuilding the same structure year after year.
Viewing and Conservation
Observing bald eagles in Alaska is a common experience, but it requires respecting the guidelines established for wildlife viewing to prevent disturbance. The best practice is to maintain a significant distance, especially when birds are nesting, perching, or feeding. Visitors should use binoculars or telephoto lenses for photography rather than approaching the birds directly. Feeding eagles is strictly prohibited, as it can habituate them to humans and lead to harmful dependence or injury.
The bald eagle is protected in Alaska by the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA). This law prohibits the “take” of an eagle, which includes pursuing, wounding, killing, or capturing the bird. The law also prohibits “disturbing” an eagle, which is defined as any action likely to cause injury, a decrease in productivity, or nest abandonment by interfering with normal behaviors.
This legislation ensures that the population, despite its robust numbers, continues to be safeguarded. Alaska’s eagles were not as severely impacted by the factors that decimated the population in the Lower 48, such as widespread pesticide use and habitat loss. The BGEPA, first enacted in 1940, continues to provide a regulatory framework for conservation.