Bald eagles tend to perch in large trees (often cottonwoods) near water. In winter, they tend to congregate in large groups below the dams, where the water rarely freezes and there is an ample food supply in the form of fish and wounded waterfowl. Look for them in the early morning and late afternoon, when they can often be seen feeding. But make sure to watch from at least one-quarter mile away! Bald eagles are easily disturbed, and may not return to areas where they are flushed too often.

Bald Eagles are found exclusively in North America. In the continental United States, there are an estimated 6,471 eagles (2000 data). There are an additional 40,000 eagles in Alaska. The number of eagles in Canada is not known, but there are probably around a hundred thousand. Bald eagles do not occur in Hawaii.

Bald eagle numbers in South Dakota vary by season and year. Each year, South Dakota takes part in a nationwide "Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey" during the first two weeks of January. The table below shows the results of that annual survey.

For the past two years (2004 and 2005), SD Game, Fish and Parks has run a statewide survey of bald eagle nests. In 2005, we documented 41 active bald eagle nests across the state as shown on this map.

 If you find a bald eagle nest, report it!

Please let us know! We appreciate hearing of any nest site locations that our survey efforts may have missed. Public participation and assistance can play an important role in determining the status of the species in South Dakota, contributing to the goals of our state management plan as well as national recovery goals. Please report any bald eagle nests to Doug Backlund at 605-773-4345 or call your local SD Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officer. There are an increasing number of nests each year, and we would like to keep track of them.

Be careful not to approach within one-quarter mile of a nest. Eagles are extremely sensitive, especially early in the nesting season (eagles nest from January through August), and may abandon the nest if they are disturbed. Rather, enjoy from a distance.

Congratulations! You are the proud landlord of the hopeful family that is one of our nation’s most cherished symbols. Since eagles have chosen to nest on your land, you are obviously already managing your property in a manner compatible with wildlife. We would like to work with you to ensure that you and the eagles continue to live together equitably. Contact Doug Backlund at 605-773-4345 or call your local SD Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officer to let them know you have a nest. If you were planning to develop the area, there may be ways you can be compensated for avoiding the nesting eagles.

Contact Doug Backlund at 605-773-4345 or call your local SD Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officer. Eagles may be able to be returned to the wild if their injuries are treated promptly. Dead eagle remains will be sent to a national repository where specimens will be held for individuals or entities interested in obtaining bald eagles or bald eagle parts for educational, Native American, or other purposes.

Eagles are currently protected federally under the Endangered Species Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Act of 1940. They are also covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Lacey Acts that protect all migratory birds. Currently, the Endangered Species Act is the primary means by which bald eagles are protected. However, once the bald eagle is removed from the federal list of threatened or endangered species, the Bald and Golden Eagle Act will take precedence. Since this act is highly restrictive, the Fish and Wildlife Service is working to modify it to ensure that the protections afforded the bald eagle are consistent with a species recently removed from the federal threatened or endangered species list. Also, since the Endangered Species Act requires five years of monitoring after a species is removed from the list, the US Fish and Wildlife Service wants to have a monitoring plan in place. We hope that the South Dakota Bald Eagle Management Plan will help to expedite the delisting process.

Volunteer your time and energy to conservation agencies and organizations in efforts to restore cottonwood forests for future bald eagle habitat. Local Pierre, South Dakota organizations include the Missouri Breaks Audubon Chapter and the High Plains Wildlife Association.

Volunteer your time and energy to care for injured eagles, hawks, owls and other birds of prey at a local raptor rehabilitation center. In Pierre, South Dakota, contact Dr. Virginia Trexler-Myren, Oahe Wildlife Center, (phone 605-945-2911).

Be aware of legislation affecting conservation efforts. Contact your elected representatives at all government levels.

Report any nests or assemblages of bald eagles that you find. We are interested in finding out how successful nesting bald eagles are in South Dakota, so we would appreciate volunteers who are willing to monitor nests throughout the nesting season. Share your enthusiasm with others, and make sure that they understand how important it is to enjoy eagles from a distance without disturbing them.

Also, report anyone you suspect of shooting or poisoning bald eagles in South Dakota by calling the TIPs line at 1-800-592-5522. Eagles also die of electrocution on power lines. Power companies are sensitive to this issue, and will fix problem lines, so if you find an area where you suspect eagles are being electrocuted, report it.