Eagle Management

Working around Eagles

Bald eagles or golden eagles, or both species, may be living or migrating in the vicinity of work activities and projects. We provide guidance and recommendations for working around eagles and considering the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

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 Guidelines

Eagles and Home Construction in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho

If you're constructing homes 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

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 Nest Survey Guidance

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced new guidance regarding eagle nest survey areas. The updated recommendation is to conduct field surveys for eagle nests only within 2 miles around the project footprint. This guidance supersedes the recommendations in the Service's 2013 Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance.

Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance

The Service developed Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance in 2013, which provides specific in-depth guidance for conserving bald and golden eagles in the course of siting, construction and operation of wind energy facilities

Do I Need an Eagle Take Permit?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may issue permits for the take, possession, or transportation of bald and golden eagles, as well as their parts, nests, and eggs.

More about Eagle Permits

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 a dead 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. Please review the list below and call the nearest drop-off center to arrange transfer of the remains.