Eagles live in Texas, making the Lone Star State a significant habitat for these majestic birds. Texas hosts both the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle, two of the four eagle species found in the United States. These powerful raptors are known for their impressive size and commanding presence. Their presence highlights the state’s diverse ecosystems.
Identifying Texas’s Eagles
Adult Bald Eagles are identifiable by their dark brown bodies, white heads, and white tails, with a large yellow bill. Males measure around three feet from head to tail and weigh between 7 to 10 pounds, with a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet. Females are larger, sometimes reaching 14 pounds with a wingspan up to 8 feet. Immature Bald Eagles appear mostly dark brown and develop their distinctive white head and tail plumage around four to five years of age.
Golden Eagles maintain dark brown plumage throughout their lives, often displaying a golden-brown sheen on their heads and necks. These eagles are similar in size to Bald Eagles, with wingspans that reach up to 7 feet or more. A distinguishing feature is the feathers that extend down their legs to their feet, unlike the bare, yellow tarsi of Bald Eagles. Immature Golden Eagles may have white patches at the base of their tails and in the center of their wings, which fade as they mature.
Where and When to Spot Them
Bald Eagles are present year-round in Texas, serving as breeding residents and winter visitors. Breeding populations are found in the eastern half of the state and along coastal counties, from Rockport to Houston. These birds prefer habitats near large bodies of water such as lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and coastal areas, where they find their food source, fish. Nesting season for Bald Eagles in Texas runs from October to July, with peak egg-laying in December and hatching in January.
Wintering Bald Eagle populations are common in the Panhandle, Central, and East Texas. Popular viewing locations include Lake Livingston, Lake Buchanan, Caddo Lake, and Toledo Bend Reservoir, which offer abundant fish and tall trees for nesting. Areas like Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Texoma and the Trinity River watershed are known for frequent Bald Eagle sightings. These migratory eagles arrive in Texas by early October and remain until late May, with young eagles returning by September or October after migrating northward.
Golden Eagles are found in the rugged, open landscapes of West Texas, including mountain ranges, canyons, and grasslands. They are resident breeders in areas like the Trans-Pecos region, including the Davis Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and Big Bend National Park. Unlike Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles hunt small to medium-sized mammals such as rabbits, hares, and prairie dogs, adapting to arid environments. While present year-round in these western regions, the best time to observe them is from September through April.
Safeguarding Eagle Populations
Both Bald and Golden Eagles are protected under federal laws, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The Bald Eagle, once facing population declines due to habitat loss and pesticide use, particularly DDT, has shown a recovery. Its status was changed from endangered to threatened in 1995 and was delisted in 2007, reflecting conservation efforts.
Golden Eagles faced persecution in the past, particularly in West Texas, leading to their inclusion under federal protection in 1962. Conservation efforts in Texas involve monitoring nesting activity and preserving their natural habitats. Protecting these birds requires minimizing human disturbance near nesting sites, especially during the breeding season. Responsible viewing practices, such as maintaining a safe distance from nests, contribute to their continued recovery and presence in the state.