Population status

Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Both the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) and the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provide good information for this highly detectable species, although the BBS does not provide good coverage of the remote, northern portion of the breeding range. Both surveys indicate that the Bald Eagle has undergone a dramatic population increase since the early 1970s (i.e., >1000% according to the CBC and >400% according to the BBS) across its range (results for all Bird Conservation Regions with reasonably reliable BBS results are displayed below). The North American results of both the CBC and the BBS show a similar dramatic increase in the continental population. Because the Bald Eagle was persecuted and affected by DDT (Farmer et al. 2008), resulting in low levels of abundance at the start of monitoring efforts, and its historical abundance remains unknown, a specific management goal relative to 1970 has not yet been set. However, with an increasing population trend, the Bald Eagle is at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see CBC Canada graph below).

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
Bald EagleTo be determined95th percentile of observed abundance (1970-2012)
Not applicable

Picture of logo Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Additional information on: Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 1 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Christmas Bird Count (CBC)1970-20165.43.26.27
Canada2006-20163.61.85.37
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Christmas Bird Count (CBC)1970-201643.24.51
 

British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey

Additional information on: British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 2 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
British Columbia coast1999-2016-2.5-8.42.2
 

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Table 3: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime Period Table 3 - footnote 1 Annual trend Table 3 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20163.62.34.7
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 2006-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis2006-20165.63.18
Northern Pacific Rainforest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Pacific Rainforest 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20162.20.83.6
Great Basin Select to view graph of the geographic area: Great Basin 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20167.95.610.5
Northern Rockies Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Rockies 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20163.825.8
Boreal Hardwood Transition Select to view graph of the geographic area: Boreal Hardwood Transition 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20167.95.110.8
Atlantic Northern Forest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Atlantic Northern Forest 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20167.15.48.8
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20162.61.63.6
 

References