Yes, eagles are present in Kansas, which serves as a significant location for these large raptors. While a few pairs remain year-round, the vast majority of sightings occur seasonally. Kansas becomes a temporary home for a large population of migrating eagles seeking necessary food sources and open water.
The Two Eagle Species Found in Kansas
Kansas hosts two species of eagles: the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle. The Bald Eagle is the most commonly sighted, particularly during winter, and is easily identified when mature by its white head and tail feathers contrasting with a dark brown body.
The Golden Eagle is less frequent, primarily observed in the open prairie and grassland habitats of western Kansas. Its adult plumage is a uniform dark brown with a wash of golden-brown feathers on the back of its neck. Golden Eagles are known as “booted eagles” because feathers extend down their legs, unlike the Bald Eagle, which has unfeathered legs.
A juvenile Bald Eagle, which does not gain its white head until around five years of age, is often mistaken for a Golden Eagle. The Golden Eagle primarily hunts mammals like rabbits and ground squirrels, while the Bald Eagle is an opportunistic scavenger and fisher. This difference in diet largely dictates their preferred habitats in the state.
Seasonal Movement and Preferred Environments
The large eagle population in Kansas consists mostly of Bald Eagles migrating south from northern breeding grounds. They arrive in November and typically remain until mid- to late March. This movement is driven by the search for open water, as northern lakes and rivers freeze over.
The peak viewing time is generally from mid-January through mid-February, when the largest concentrations are present. Up to 3,000 Bald Eagles may be wintering across the state, concentrating around major reservoirs and river systems where currents or dam operations keep water free of ice.
These raptors establish temporary communal roosts in large, sheltered trees near reliable fishing spots. Important wintering habitats include the riverine woodlands along the Kansas, Missouri, Smoky Hill, and Republican Rivers. Major reservoirs, such as Clinton Lake, Tuttle Creek Reservoir, and Milford Lake, also offer reliable open water.
Finding Eagles and Viewing Etiquette
To increase your chances of seeing an eagle, focus on large bodies of water in the eastern half of the state, especially those with established viewing events. Recommended locations include the Kaw River State Park and Clinton Lake in the northeast, and the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge and Milford Lake’s Eagle Ridge Trail further south.
Eagles are most active and visible during the early morning hours, from sunrise until about 10 a.m., when they leave their roosts to hunt. They may also be seen again in the late afternoon as they return to their overnight perches.
Use binoculars or a spotting scope to observe them from a distance. Maintain a respectful distance, with a minimum of 330 feet generally recommended near nesting or roosting areas. Eagles are protected under federal law, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which prohibits disturbing or harassing them.