Eagle Management

Living around Eagles

Eagles are our neighbors! There's a chance you may have eagles nesting or roosting nearby where you live. Here you'll find information on understanding, protecting, and living around eagles. From frequently asked questions about eagle nests, feathers, and more to guidance on best practices.

Bald Eagle Management Guidelines

Golden Eagle Disturbance

Image Details

Golden eagles may be sensitive to the presence and activities of humans and potentially easily disturbed. The Service has drafted a synthesis of scientific information on human disturbance of golden eagles.

Considering disturbance to golden eagles

Regional Guidance

Eagles and Home Construction in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho

If you're building a home in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho, you can answer a few questions about your project or activity and eagles in the vicinity to self-determine whether or not you should apply for an eagle take permit, or whether you need further technical assistance from the Service.

Pacific Region Decision Tree

Found a Dead Eagle or Eagle Feathers?

For most people, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibits possession of dead eagles and eagle parts, which includes eagle feathers.  If you find a dead eagle please answer the following questions before touching or moving the eagle:

• Do you have reason to suspect the eagle’s death was intentionally caused by a human?
• Do you believe the eagle was electrocuted?
• Do you believe the eagle was shot or poisoned?
• Does it appear that feathers or any body parts have been intentionally removed from the eagle?

If the answer to any of the above questions is “yes”, immediately call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement office at: (1-844-397-8477).

If the answer to all of the above questions is “no”, dead eagles and all eagle parts, including feathers, must be transferred to the National Eagle Repository unless otherwise authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Eagle Repository provides Guidelines for Shipping Eagles to the Repository.

Even if you only find eagle feathers, these feathers can't be kept, but must be transferred to the National Eagle Repository unless otherwise authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

If you found an eagle in the Puget Sound Area, you are authorized to temporarily collect the eagle remains and transport them within 24 hours to the nearest drop-off center. Click here to view a list of drop-off locations available in the Puget Sound.

Eagle Nest Protections

Along with protecting eagles, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act also protects eagle nests. Eagle nests are protected at all times, not just when the nests are in use by eagles. This means eagle nests can never be removed or destroyed, no matter what time of year it is, without a permit.

More information on eagle nest removal permits:

Eagle Feathers and Parts for Native Americans

For hundreds, if not thousands, of years Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have used eagle feathers for religious and cultural purposes. Although for most people the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibits possession of eagle parts, including eagle feathers, because of the significance of eagle feathers and other eagle parts to Native American heritage, and consistent with the government-to-government relationship between the United States federal government and federally-recognized tribal governments, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has undertaken policy and procedures to facilitate the collection and distribution of eagle bodies, feathers, and other eagle parts to Native Americans. This provides a legal means for Native Americans to acquire eagle remains for religious purposes, reducing the pressure to take eagles from the wild, and protecting eagle populations.

Native Americans may apply to obtain and possess eagle feathers and parts for religious and cultural purposes from our National Eagle Repository.

Species

Understanding eagle characteristics is key to properly identifying them, which is important in determining what guidance and best practices to follow. Learn more by selecting one of our eagle species below.

Bald Eagle Fact Sheet

Golden Eagle Fact Sheet