Bald eagles are found in California, a testament to their remarkable recovery and the state’s diverse ecosystems. These iconic raptors, once facing severe population declines, have made a significant return across the Golden State. Their re-emergence highlights successful conservation efforts and provides opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts to observe them.
Bald Eagles’ Presence in California
Bald eagles are present in California as both year-round residents and winter migrants. Midwinter statewide surveys have documented over 1,000 bald eagles in the state during peak season. The number of breeding pairs in California has shown steady growth and geographic expansion over recent decades.
By 1977, bald eagles were nesting in eight counties, expanding to 28 counties by the mid-1990s. Today, these birds are found nesting in 41 of California’s 58 counties. A study in central interior California revealed an average annual increase of 19% in known nesting pairs from 2011 to 2024, growing from four to 31 pairs. This consistent increase in breeding territories signifies a strong rebound for the species across California.
Key Habitats and Viewing Locations
Bald eagles in California prefer habitats near large bodies of water, such as lakes, reservoirs, and rivers, surrounded by mountain and foothill forests and woodlands. During winter, they can be found throughout most of California, including open rangelands and coastal wetlands, as they search for food. While most breeding territories are in northern California, nesting also occurs in scattered locations across the central and southern Sierra Nevada mountains and foothills, the central coast range, inland southern California, and on Santa Catalina Island.
The best time for observing bald eagles in California is during the winter months, from December to March, when hundreds of migratory eagles join the resident population. The Klamath Basin, on the California-Oregon border, hosts the largest concentration of wintering eagles. Other notable viewing locations include:
- Shasta Lake
- Big Bear Lake
- Lake San Antonio
- Lake Nacimiento
- Various sites in the San Francisco Bay Area, such as Santa Cruz Harbor and the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Recovery and Conservation Efforts
The historical decline of bald eagles in California was largely due to human persecution, habitat loss, and the widespread use of the pesticide DDT. DDT and its residues poisoned the eagles, leading to eggshell thinning that caused nesting failures. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the California bald eagle population was severely reduced, with fewer than 30 nesting pairs remaining.
In response to this crisis, the bald eagle was listed as endangered federally in 1967 and in California in 1971. The ban of DDT in the United States in 1972 was a key step in their recovery. Conservation measures, including restrictions on contaminants, enforcement of protective laws, habitat protection, and reintroduction programs, facilitated their rebound. Although the federal government removed the bald eagle from its endangered species list in 2007, it remains listed as endangered in California. The species continues to receive protection under federal laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, with ongoing monitoring and management efforts by agencies such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Distinguishing Features and Behavior
Adult bald eagles are easily recognized by their dark brown bodies, contrasting white heads and tails, and bright yellow beaks and talons. Juvenile bald eagles appear mostly brown with varying amounts of white mottling and gradually acquire their distinctive adult plumage between four and five years of age. These large raptors weigh between 8 and 14 pounds and have a wingspan of 6.5 to 8 feet, with females generally being larger than males.
Bald eagles construct large stick nests, known as eyries, in the upper canopy of the tallest trees, often near water sources. These nests can be substantial, sometimes reaching up to 10 feet in diameter and weighing over a ton. Breeding pairs frequently return to the same nest site year after year, continually adding new materials, which contributes to the nests’ considerable size. Their primary hunting technique involves snatching fish from the water with their sharp talons, though they also consume ducks, small mammals, and carrion.