Bald Eagles are a prominent species found throughout Florida. The state provides a suitable environment, supporting a significant population of these raptors. While other eagle species, such as the Golden Eagle, are occasionally sighted, the Bald Eagle is a year-round resident.
Florida’s Iconic Eagle
The Bald Eagle, a national symbol, is the most common eagle species inhabiting Florida. Adults are easily identifiable by their striking white head and tail feathers, contrasting with their dark brown bodies. Their large, hooked yellow bill and powerful yellow talons are also distinctive features. Females typically surpass males in size, sometimes by as much as 25 percent.
Juvenile Bald Eagles display mottled brown and white plumage, gradually acquiring their full adult coloration, including the white head and tail, by their fifth year. These birds possess an average wingspan ranging from 6 to 8 feet wide. Florida’s Bald Eagles are a southern subspecies and are year-round residents, unlike their migratory northern counterparts.
Where Eagles Soar: Habitats and Distribution
Bald Eagles in Florida prefer habitats near large bodies of water, their primary food source. These areas include seacoasts, estuaries, rivers, lakes, and extensive marshes or wetlands. They select forested areas for nesting and roosting, preferring tall, mature trees like pines, cypress, or oaks that offer unobstructed views.
Nesting season in Florida begins in the fall, with egg-laying occurring between December and early January. Bald Eagles construct large stick nests, known as “eyries,” which they often reuse and enlarge annually. Some nests can grow up to 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep. While Bald Eagles are distributed across the state, higher concentrations of nesting territories are found around inland lake and river systems, such as the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, and along the Gulf Coast. Florida has one of the densest concentrations of nesting Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states.
Protecting and Observing Florida’s Eagles
Bald Eagles have made a significant recovery from historical population declines, largely due to conservation efforts. While no longer federally endangered, they remain protected under federal laws, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These acts prohibit the “taking,” possession, or disturbance of eagles, their parts, nests, or eggs without a permit. Disturbing an eagle can include agitation that impacts its productivity or causes nest abandonment.
Observing Florida’s eagles ethically requires maintaining a respectful distance, particularly near active nests. Using binoculars or telephoto lenses allows for close-up views without causing disturbance. State parks, nature preserves, and areas around large water bodies are common locations for viewing these raptors. Volunteer programs, such as Audubon’s EagleWatch, monitor nests, collect valuable data, and educate the public.