Life history

Overview

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a bird listed as Special Concern in Wisconsin and Federally protected by the Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Act, prefers large trees in isolated areas in proximity to large areas of surface water, large complexes of deciduous forest, coniferous forest, wetland, and shrub communities. Large lakes and rivers with nearby tall pine trees are preferred for nesting. In southern Wisconsin, the recommended avoidance period extends from February 15 - July 1. In northern Wisconsin, the recommended avoidance period is from March 15 - August 1. Please visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's eagle permit pages [exit DNR] for more guidance.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - both state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Species guidance

Other resources

Links to additional Bald Eagle information

• Federal Laws that Protect Bald eagles
• Michigan Natural Features Inventory [exit DNR]
• Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan [exit DNR]
• All About Birds Species Account (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) [exit DNR]
• Adopt an Eagle Nest
• Bald Eagle Watching
• NatureServe Explorer information [exit DNR]

Other links related to birds

• All Bird Plan [exit DNR]
• Important Bird Areas [exit DNR]
• Managing Habitat for Grassland Birds [exit DNR]
• All About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) [exit DNR]
• Wisconsin Colonial Waterbird Survey

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Endangered Resources Program for educational uses. Photo use

Wildlife Action Plan

Information from Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan.

Native community (habitat) associations

The table below lists the natural communities that are associated with Bald Eagle. Only natural communities for which Bald Eagle is "significantly" (score=3) or "moderately" (score=2) associated are shown. Please see the Wildlife Action Plan to learn how this information was developed.

Ecological landscape associations

The table below lists the ecological landscape association scores for Bald Eagle. The scores correspond to the map (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None). For more information, please see the Wildlife Action Plan.

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Landscape-Community combinations of highest ecological priority*

Ecological priorities are the combinations of natural communities and ecological landscapes that provide Wisconsin's best opportunities to conserve important habitats for a given Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The 10 highest scoring combinations are considered ecological priorities and are listed below. More than 10 combinations are listed if multiple combinations tied for 10th place. For more information, please see the Wildlife Action Plan.

* Ecological priority score is a relative measure that is not meant for comparison between species. This score does not consider socio-economical factors that may dictate protection and/or management priorities differently than those determined solely by ecological analysis. Further, a low ecological priority score does not imply that management or preservation should not occur on a site if there are important reasons for doing so locally.

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Conservation actions

• Monitor nesting population levels and productivity.
• Continue to work cooperatively with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, and neighboring states on Bald Eagle conservation and population management.
• Evaluate contaminant levels in birds and eggs.
• Preserving nest trees and alternative nest trees.
• Time timber harvest activity so as not to disturb nesting eagles.
• Preserve habitat around Bald Eagle nests.
• Promote public Bald Eagle viewing festivals and events, which also bring ecotourism dollars into communities.
• Continue monitoring and research on Lower Wisconsin River Eagle Syndrome.
• Educate the public regarding Bald Eagle populations and conservation.

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Threats and issues

• Accidental shooting remains an issue.
• Wind towers, communication towers, electrical transmission lines, and fences are potential threats if placed in or near habitats frequently used by bald eagles.
• Collision with vehicles while feeding on road kill is a source of mortality.
• Road building and home construction in the woods is a threat to Bald Eagles.
• Lead poisoning threatens this species as a result of feeding on animals/carcasses contaminated with lead shot, bullet fragments, or fishing sinkers.
• PCB's, DDT residues, and agricultural pesticides.
• Approaching nests too closely during critical nesting periods.

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