Bald Eagles in Salem

Welcome to the Eagle page, here we share live updates that have been submitted by our volunteers, post pictures of our paired eagles throughout their nesting timeline, and update the public on the safety procedures in place during this season.

Conservation and Recovery 

The bald eagle is an inspiring conservation success story. Habitat loss, hunting, and the use of the pesticide DDT led to a severe decrease in the species' numbers. Protections, including a ban on the use of DDT, led to a recovery of the species and exponential population growth. In 1963 there were only an estimated 417 breeding pairs in the United States, by 2019 numbers increased to an estimated 71,467 breeding pairs and 316,700 individual bald eagles (USFWS 2020). Recovery of the species also occurred locally in the Willamette River Watershed. In 1978 there was one active breeding area in the watershed, in 2007 this number was up to 84 active breeding areas. Bald eagles now breed in 32 of 34 Oregon counties (Isaacs and Anthony 2011). 

Salem Bald Eagle Nests

We are currently monitoring two nesting bald eagle pairs on Minto Island. One pair has been utilizing an area at the northern tip of the Island on Salem Audubon property for some time and in 2020 a new pair began nesting in Minto Brown Island Park. Both nesting pairs successfully raised eaglets in 2022 and 2023, and have returned to nest again in 2024. Updates regarding the eagle pairs will be posted on this page.

Minot-Brown-Eagle Watch map Eagle Watch Map-Audubon

Bald eagle nesting behavior timeline

November – January: Nest Building (1-3 months)
February - March: Egg Laying (3-6 days)
February - April: Incubation (35 days)
March - May: Hatching (3-6 days)
March - August: Nestlings (10-12 weeks)
June - August: Fledging (by week 12)
June – November: Post-Fledging & Dispersal

Relative Sensitivity of Nesting Bald Eagles to Human Activities

Eagles are most vulnerable to disturbance during the first 3 months of nesting and may abandon the nest. The City of Salem conducts a bald eagle nest monitoring program staffed by volunteers each year to track nest success and to monitor potential impacts from public uses of the area.

Phase Activity

Courtship and Nest Building

Sensitivity To Human Activity

Most sensitive period; likely to respond negatively.

Comments

Most critical time period. Disturbance is manifested in nest abandonment. Bald eagles in newly established territories are more prone to abandon nest sites.