Eagles are probably the most iconic birds in the United States, and Texas is one of the premier states for birding in this country. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many Texans are curious to know if any Texas eagles can be found in the state. Only two eagle species are found in the United States, and I’ll be discussing whether either species are eagles in Texas.
Those interested in learning more about the types of eagles in Texas have come to the right place! I’ll be discussing what eagles in Texas may be found in addition to where Texas eagles may be found. Let’s begin!
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Are There Eagles In Texas?
Before we can learn more about Texas eagles, we have to ensure that eagles exist in Texas. So, are there eagles in Texas?
Yes – Texans will be pleased to know that there are eagles in Texas! Eagles can be found throughout most of the state and may be more common in some seasons than others. Let’s learn more about the specific eagles that can be found in Texas. For starters, are there Bald Eagles in Texas?
Are There Bald Eagles In Texas?
Bald Eagles are America’s national bird, and many admire the majestic natures of these raptors. Indeed, Bald Eagles are a species that can bring people together, as they are enjoyed by both birders and non-birders alike. Let’s address the question that everyone wants to know: “Are there Bald Eagles in Texas?”.
Yes, there are Bald Eagles in Texas! These beautiful eagles of Texas breed in many parts of the state, and their range includes the entirety of Texas. However, Bald Eagles in Texas may only be observed during winter in some parts of the Lone Star State.
Although Bald Eagles are now a rather common Eagle in Texas, there was a bleak outlook for these Texas birds of prey half a century ago. Yes, Bald Eagle populations declined precipitously in the 1960s due to DDT greatly reducing the survivorship of eggs. Indeed, by 1971, only 5 occupied Bald Eagle nests remained in Texas.
Fortunately, biologists identified the source of the problem and began to work on Bald Eagle recovery.
Their efforts have exceeded expectations, and today, there are more than 150 active Bald Eagle nests in Texas.
Are There Golden Eagles In Texas?
Golden Eagles are often associated with the western United States, but some Texans are curious about their prospects of viewing Golden Eagles in their state. Are there Golden Eagles in Texas?
Yes, there are Golden Eagles in Texas! Although seeing a Texas Golden Eagle is not as common a sight as seeing their bald cousins, they are nonetheless regular in Texas. In fact, Golden Eagles are known to breed in parts of western Texas and the Texas panhandle. During the nonbreeding season, this Texas eagle bird may disperse to other parts of Texas.
Golden Eagles have a massive range worldwide, being found in places such as the UK or Mongolia in addition to North America.
Types of Eagles In Texas
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagles are the more common of the two Texas eagles. The breeding stronghold for these types of eagles in Texas is the eastern part of the state, however, Bald Eagles may be observed in the entire state during winter and migration. Texas is near the southern extent of the wintering range for Bald Eagles, though some do winter further south in Mexico.
Mature Bald Eagles are distinct black birds in Texas with white heads, but Bald Eagles are not mature until they’re five years old. In the meantime, some may confuse the brown immature birds with other raptors such as Golden Eagles, ospreys, or hawks. However, note the massive size and proportionately large heads of Bald Eagles. Moreover, be aware that they hold their wings flat when they fly – a characteristic that most other raptors do not display.
Golden Eagle
Golden Eagles display a range in Texas that is effectively the inverse of Bald Eagle distribution in the state, as they’re more common in western Texas. They breed in the Texas Panhandle and far western Texas, and there have been more than 2,000 reports of these raptors in Texas as per eBird data.
A Texas Golden Eagle is more apt to survive in the dry, arid habitats of western Texas compared to most other raptors. Here, they sustain themselves on small mammals and nest along cliffs. They are uncommon in other parts of Texas during the winter. They are rare South Texas eagles, and seeing one in this part of the state is noteworthy.
Unfortunately, Golden Eagle breeding populations in Texas have not experienced the boon that Bald Eagles have enjoyed. In fact, the number of Golden Eagles within Texas has declined substantially in the past half-century. One study that examined Golden Eagle breeding pairs in the Texas Panhandle found that breeding birds have declined by 40% – 71% since the 1980s. Now, it is rare to see a Golden Eagle in Texas.
Golden Eagles used to experience widespread persecution because of the widespread (and false) belief that they were responsible for significant depredation of livestock. Now, this Texas eagle bird receives minimal direct persecution, but habitat changes are thought to have made life more difficult for these birds.
Golden Eagles are far less distinct compared to Bald Eagles because they lack any flashy feather colors. Indeed, these eagles of Texas may be confused with either vulture species in Texas or young Bald Eagles. Luckily, Golden Eagles can be distinguished from Bald Eagles because they’ve got proportionately smaller heads and hold their wings in a dihedral when they fly. To distinguish Golden Eagles from vultures, look for their longer, wedge-shaped tails in flight and golden napes.
How Many Bald Eagles In Texas?
Those hoping to see Texas eagles are doubtlessly curious about how many Bald Eagles in Texas occur. Well, there have been about 45,000 eBird checklists that have included Bald Eagles on them. However, don’t let this give you the impression that there are thousands of Bald Eagles breeding in Texas. Instead, it’s more likely that there are several hundred breeding pairs distributed throughout the state. Fortunately for Texas birders, Bald Eagles are continuing to expand their breeding ranges in Texas, with birds now breeding in the Texas Panhandle.
More Bald Eagles can be found in Texas during the winter season compared to the summer. During this time, thousands of Bald Eagles spend the winter in Texas. Therefore, those hoping to see Bald Eagles in Texas will have an easier time finding them in winter. However, those who visit during the summer can simply visit an established nest to see one of these raptors.
Where To See Bald Eagles In Texas?
Eagles enthusiasts will be curious about where to see Bald Eagles in Texas. They may wonder about the best places to go to try to see these birds. Let’s discuss some good places to travel to view Bald Eagles in Texas.
If you’ve read the whole article to this point, you’ll recall that Bald Eagles only breed in eastern Texas. Therefore, those who wish to view these birds during the summer should head to areas of Texas that are east of Dallas and Austin. This part of the state contains plentiful rivers, reservoirs, and other bodies of water along which Bald Eagles nest. Finding the nests of these Texas eagles is often rather easy, as they frequently choose to construct their massive stick nests in large trees along the water.
In the nonbreeding season, any sizable bodies of water can yield these eagles of Texas. Bald Eagles may be especially numerous at these water bodies in western Texas where water can be scarce.