Bald Eagles in North Carolina

Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

More than 400 species of birds, including bald eagles, can be found in North Carolina. This has not always been true. In the 1960s, the number of bald eagles found in the United States plummeted from over 300,000 birds to less than 500 nesting pairs.  This decline was caused by habitat destruction, use of pesticides, contamination of food and waterways and the active hunting of bald eagles.

With the help of federal protection and conservation efforts, the bald eagle population has made a strong recovery. In 1982, bald eagles were once again spotted in North Carolina.  In 2007, the number of nesting pairs in the country surpassed 10,000.  This enabled the species to be removed from the endangered species list.  In an effort, however, to keep population numbers stable, bald eagles remain protected by law.

While larger populations of the birds can be found further north, more than 125 nesting pairs of eagles live in North Carolina as of 2013. Bald eagles like to stay in close proximity to bodies of water. Next time you’re near a lake or river be sure to keep an eye to the sky!

A rescued, juvenile bald eagle  at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. 

For more information on eagles and other raptor species, check out the Carolina Raptor Center website: carolinaraptorcenter.org

To keep up with local bald eagles, check out the Jordan Lake eagle cam: www.ustream.tv/jordanlakeeagles and visit Maverick, a flightless, juvenile bald eagle at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Read about Maverick here.