The bald eagle, America’s national bird, represents one of the country’s most successful conservation stories, recovering from near extinction decades ago. The population in the lower 48 states alone is estimated at 316,700 eagles, a significant increase since the 1960s. While these raptors are widespread, their numbers are not evenly distributed, with specific states and regions hosting the largest permanent groups.
States With the Largest Permanent Populations
Alaska holds the largest population of bald eagles by a significant margin due to abundant habitat and food sources. The state is home to an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 individual birds, including approximately 30,000 breeding pairs. Found primarily along coastlines and inland waterways, this vast, undeveloped territory provides ideal conditions for stable, year-round residency.
Within the contiguous United States, permanent populations are concentrated in the northern and southeastern regions, particularly around the Great Lakes. Minnesota is a top state, hosting an estimated 5,500 to 12,000 individual eagles. Wisconsin and Michigan contribute to the upper Midwest population, with Wisconsin alone having an estimated 1,600 breeding pairs.
Florida represents a major southern stronghold, supporting about 1,500 nesting pairs of the southern subspecies. These birds thrive in the state’s extensive wetlands and coastal areas, benefiting from a warmer climate that allows for an earlier nesting season. The Pacific Northwest is another high-density area, with Washington state supporting an estimated 900 breeding pairs. They reside along numerous rivers and coasts, providing consistent access to open water and prey necessary for a non-migratory population.
Seasonal Gathering Locations
While certain states hold the largest year-round populations, the highest localized concentrations occur during seasonal migrations to specific feeding grounds. These temporary gatherings are driven by the availability of a concentrated, predictable food source during the winter. A spectacular example occurs at the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, where thousands of eagles, sometimes peaking around 4,000, gather between October and February.
This massive gathering is sustained by a late run of chum and coho salmon in the Chilkat River, kept unfrozen by geothermal upwelling. In the lower 48 states, the Klamath Basin on the California-Oregon border is a major wintering destination. It hosts the largest concentration of wintering eagles in the contiguous US, sometimes exceeding 1,000 birds, who converge to feed on abundant waterfowl.
The Upper Mississippi River basin becomes a magnet for migrating eagles when northern lakes and rivers freeze over. Hundreds, and sometimes thousands, congregate below hydroelectric dams and locks, where churning water remains open and fish are easily accessible. States like Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri see their eagle populations swell dramatically during the winter as birds fly south to exploit these reliable food sources.
Key Environmental Requirements
Locations supporting the largest numbers of bald eagles, whether permanently or seasonally, share two primary ecological characteristics. The first is proximity to a substantial body of open water, such as an estuary, large lake, river, or coastal area. Bald eagles are primarily fish-eaters, and this habitat ensures a consistent, easily accessible food supply.
The second factor is the presence of large, mature trees or high cliffs suitable for nesting and roosting. Eagles build some of the largest nests of any bird species, often measuring four to five feet wide and several feet deep, requiring strong limbs for support. These nesting trees are typically the tallest available and must be located within a mile of a foraging area.
Wintering eagles rely on large, sheltered trees for communal night roosts, sometimes traveling several miles from their daytime feeding areas. The combination of undisturbed water for fishing and old-growth forest or rugged terrain for shelter determines where large populations can successfully settle and thrive. These needs explain why states with extensive coastlines, massive river systems, or large lake districts dominate the list.