Eagles are some of the most impressive birds of prey in the world. They are large, powerful, and have razor-sharp talons.
Every year, thousands of people flock to see these amazing types of eagles in Washington state, their natural habitat.
While there are many different types of eagles in Washington State, here are those that bird lovers should know about in our blog post.
Let’s go!
1. The Bald Eagle
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the first on our list of types of eagles in Washington state. It is a large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae and the national bird and animal symbol of the United States.Â
Bald eagles in Washington state typically fly easily, gliding through the air with their wide, powerful wings. They live near bodies of water, where they can easily find fish, their primary food source. These majestic eagles in Washington state have incredible vision, allowing them to spot and snatch up prey from far away.Â
Additionally, they can reach up to 40 miles per hour in flight. The bald eagle is one of the most iconic symbols of the United States and is probably the type of eagle that most people think of when they hear the word “eagle.”Â
These majestic eagles in Washington state are known for their distinctive white heads and yellow beaks, which make them easy to spot in the sky. Native to North America, the bald eagle was chosen as the national bird of the United States in 1782 due to its strength and power. They are often seen soaring high in the sky or perched atop tall trees near the ocean or rivers.Â
In Washington State, the bald eagle is commonly seen along the northeast coast and around Puget Sound. It is a scavenger that feeds on various prey, such as fish, waterfowl, and other small mammals. Bald eagles build large stick nests, typically found in tall trees, that can weigh up to 1 ton. The male and female bald eagles share nesting duties, with the male providing food and the female protecting the eggs.
2. The Golden Eagle
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is also on the list of eagle types in Washington state. It is one of North America’s most iconic and powerful birds of prey. Native to the continent, it mostly dwells in higher-altitude forests or open spaces, primarily near rivers.Â
These impressive types of eagles in Washington state typically have a 6-7-foot wingspan, with females being (on average) 25% larger than males. They have a distinctive golden hue to the tops of their wings and heads, while the undersides of their wings and tail feathers appear bright white.
The golden eagle is an apex hunter primarily feeding on carrion and small mammals, such as rabbits and hares. It has also been known to attack and kill larger mammals, such as deer and pronghorn. Amazingly, it can take aerial dives at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour to obtain its food!
The golden eagle is an apex predator, thus meaning that it is not commonly preyed upon. Owls, foxes, and certain predators such as coyotes, eagles, and other large.
The golden eagle is another large species of bird of prey commonly found throughout Washington State. These eagles are easily recognizable due to their dark brown feathers, golden nape feathers, and golden head. They typically have a wingspan of 6.5 to 8 feet. Golden Eagles are the world’s most widely distributed eagle species and are found in many different habitats, including mountains, forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.Â
In Washington State, golden eagles are commonly found in the eastern and central portions of the state, near the Cascade Mountain Range. They are powerful hunters who often hunt small mammals up to the size of foxes and other birds and reptiles.Â
They also feed on carrion and scavenge from other predators. While their nests are generally constructed from sticks and other large pieces of debris, some Golden Eagle nests may also be lined with grass, moss, or other soft materials. Like the bald eagle, successful Golden Eagle mating pairs form strong bonds and take on parental duties.
3. The White-Tailed Eagle
The White-tailed Eagle is a type of eagle commonly found in the north and central parts of Washington State. Visually, it has a distinctive, sleek white tail and subtle gray-brown coloration.Â
Their wingspan can reach 8.2 feet, making them the world’s third-largest eagle species. White-tailed Eagles typically hunt from a perch and swoop down upon their prey. They’re opportunistic eaters that feed mostly on free-range livestock, waterfowl, and other small mammals and birds.Â
White-tailed types of eagles in Washington state spend most of their time near bodies of water and prefer to nest in tall trees near water. In addition to hunting, these eagles feed on carrion, fish, and sometimes fruits and vegetables. White-tailed Eagle mating pairs form strong pair bonds; typically, both parents help build the nest and care for the young.Â
White-tailed eagles in Washington state have also been known to reuse their nests year after year. This large eagle species is a top predator that feeds on fish, birds, small mammals, and carrion. It is typically found near large bodies of water, such as coastal areas, lakes, and rivers.
4. The Steller’s Sea-Eagle
Steller’s Sea Eagle is a type of eagle native to the Pacific coast of North America and the coast of eastern Russia. These magnificent eagles are heavily identified with the coasts of Washington State, where they can be seen soaring high above the ocean.Â
The Steller’s Sea Eagle is the largest Haliaeetus species, with a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet. Males are a beautiful black color with a white head and tail, while females are darker brown or black. Steller’s Sea Eagles mainly feed on fish, small mammals, and carrion and can often be seen perched on a high tree or cliff, waiting to swoop down and catch their prey.
They typically build large nests in trees near the shoreline, which are typically quite high off the ground. The female is the main caretaker for the young, while the male provides food for the family.
5. The Harpy’s Eagle
The Harpy’s Eagle is last on our list of types of eagles found in Washington State. These types of eagles in Washington state are much larger than other eagle species, with an impressive wingspan of up to 7 feet. They’re dark grey with a prominent white head and neck.Â
Harpy eagles, named after mythical creatures of the same name, are indigenous to the tropical regions of Central and South America. These powerful prey eagles in Washington state take refuge in heavily forested areas, typically close to bodies of water, where they hunt for small monkeys, rodents, reptiles, and other vertebrates.
Harpy’s Eagles are extremely aggressive hunters and build massive nests from sticks and other large pieces of debris. As solitary birds, only one successful mating pair will inhabit a given territory.
