Eagles are present in Indiana, having made a notable return to the state’s diverse landscapes. Once rare, these majestic raptors, particularly the Bald Eagle, have rebounded significantly. Their reestablishment is a successful conservation story, allowing residents and visitors to witness these birds in their natural habitats.
Eagle Species in Indiana
The most common eagle species in Indiana is the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), recognized by its distinctive white head and tail feathers, dark brown body, and bright yellow beak and legs in adulthood. These large raptors typically measure 28 to 38 inches in body length with an impressive wingspan of 6.5 to 7 feet; females are generally larger than males, weighing 10 to 14 pounds compared to males at 8 to 9 pounds. Bald Eagles are known for their powerful, slow wingbeats in flight, often soaring or gliding with flat wings, and they primarily feed on fish. It takes about four to five years for young Bald Eagles to develop their full adult plumage, starting mostly dark with white mottling.
The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is also found in Indiana, though it is considerably rarer than the Bald Eagle. Golden Eagles are typically dark brown with golden feathers on the backs of their necks, which gives them their name, and they have feathers extending all the way down to their feet, distinguishing them from Bald Eagles. Unlike Bald Eagles that prefer fish, Golden Eagles are skilled hunters of mammals, with rabbits, hares, and ground squirrels being common prey. Their presence in Indiana is usually migratory, making sightings less frequent.
Where to Observe Eagles in Indiana
To observe eagles in Indiana, focus on areas near large bodies of water, which provide ample food sources and suitable nesting sites. Eagles often prefer tall, mature trees near rivers, lakes, and reservoirs for perching and nesting. Specific locations known for eagle sightings include Lake Monroe and Patoka Lake, where there are significant concentrations of Bald Eagles. The Wabash, White, and Ohio Rivers also serve as important habitats for these birds.
Other sighting locations include Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis and Potato Creek State Park in north-central Indiana. Winter is often the optimal time for eagle watching because deciduous trees lose their leaves, making the birds easier to spot in their roosts and soaring overhead. Early morning hours are also good for observations, as eagles are often more active. When viewing eagles, maintain a distance of at least 330 feet from nests and roosts to avoid disturbing them.
Indiana’s Role in Eagle Recovery
Indiana’s eagle population faced severe decline by the late 19th century, with the last known nesting occurring in 1897. Factors contributing to this decline included habitat loss, hunting pressures, and the widespread use of pesticides like DDT, which interfered with their reproduction. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Bald Eagles were considered extirpated as a nesting species in Indiana.
A reintroduction program, initiated by the Indiana Nongame & Endangered Wildlife Program, began in 1985. Over five years, from 1985 through 1989, 73 young eaglets sourced from Wisconsin and Alaska were released at Lake Monroe. The first successful Bald Eagle nests in Indiana in over 90 years were documented in 1991 at Monroe Lake and Cagles Mill Lake. The population continued to grow, leading to the Bald Eagle being removed from the federal endangered species list in 2007 and then from Indiana’s state endangered list in 2008, reclassified as a species of special concern. By 2020, the Bald Eagle was fully delisted in Indiana, with over 350 nesting territories reported across 88 of the state’s 92 counties. These birds continue to be protected by federal laws, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.