Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/04/02/bald-eagles/ # A focus on the Bald Eagles of Alaska Published on April 2, 2024 [![One Of The Bald Eagles Stalls To Land On One Of The Beaches Found In Kachemak Bay Photographed During The Natureslens Sea Otters Bald Eagles Of Alaska Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/One-of-the-Bald-Eagles-stalls-to-land-on-one-of-the-beaches-found-in-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday-1024x769.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/One-of-the-Bald-Eagles-stalls-to-land-on-one-of-the-beaches-found-in-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday.jpg) Written by [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) with images contributed by [Pui Hang Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/pui-hang/). The Bald Eagle is a sea eagle in the same pairing as the [white-tailed Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/white-tailed-eagle/). Some range areas overlap, but the Bald Eagles range covers Alaska, most of [Canada](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/north-america/canada/), the lower 48 states, & even parts of Mexico. The White-tailed Eagle is more at home in the far east. The Bald Eagle is the national bird of the [United States](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/north-america/united-states/) of America & is easily recognizable by its white head, tail, & evenly dark brown body. The beak, feet & eyes are all bright yellow. An immature Bald Eagle does not have a white head but can be recognized by the messy white streaking in its brown colour. ![One Of The Bald Eagles Prepares To Dive Against The Mountainous Backdrop Of Kachemak Bay Photographed During The Natureslens Sea Otters Bald Eagles Of Alaska Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/One-of-the-Bald-Eagles-prepares-to-dive-against-the-mountainous-backdrop-of-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday.jpg) ## What Is The Bald Eagle’s Preferred Habitat? The Bald Eagle’s preferred habitat is the old-growth forest. An eagle will choose trees at least 20m (66ft) tall for its nest, & there is little evidence that the tree species plays a part in the selection. Generally, the height, presence of water, & prey availability guide Bald Eagles in choosing their nesting site. ![A Lone Bald Eagle Perched High In The Trees In One Of The Coves Of Kachemak Bay Photographed During The Natureslens Sea Otters Bald Eagles Of Alaska Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/A-lone-Bald-Eagle-perched-high-in-the-trees-in-one-of-the-coves-of-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday.jpg) ## What Is The Bald Eagle’s Preferred Diet? Bald Eagles are sea eagles; their favourite prey is fish, particularly salmon, which is very popular in Alaska. However, when sea life is unavailable, these imposing birds are not above making a meal out of a small [mammal](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/mammal/) or bird. ![A Lone Bald Eagle Perched On A Backdrop Of Dark Rocks In One Of The Coves Of Kachemak Bay Photographed During The Natureslens Sea Otters Bald Eagles Of Alaska Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/A-lone-Bald-Eagle-perched-on-a-backdrop-of-dark-rocks-in-one-of-the-coves-of-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday.jpg) This glorious symbol of freedom was once a common sight throughout its range. Once numbered in the hundreds of thousands, their population was reduced to less than a thousand by the middle of the twentieth century. Much of this was attributed to certain pesticides, but many [Bald Eagles](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/bald-eagle/) were also the victims of hunters & habitat loss through logging the old-growth forests they so favour for nesting. ![One Of The Bald Eagles Flies Past A Superb Backdrop Of A Frozen Waterfall Found In A Cove On Kachemak Bay Photographed During The Natureslens Sea Otters Bald Eagles Of Alaska Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/One-of-the-Bald-Eagles-flies-past-a-superb-backdrop-of-a-frozen-waterfall-found-in-a-cove-on-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday.jpg) ## What Is The Recovery of the Bald Eagle? With the ban on Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (an insecticide used in agriculture) & a significantly reduced amount of logging old-growth forests, the [Bald Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/bald-eagle/) has remarkably recovered, with as many as 40-50,000 birds in [Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/wildlife-in-alaska/) alone. - NaturesLens wildlife photography holidays are structured around photographic opportunity — every schedule decision is made around light, behaviour, & access. - Small groups of 4–8 photographers ensure unhurried positions & individual guidance. - Single occupancy accommodation is included as standard across the majority of our trips. ## Share this post - - - - [Homer](https://natureslens.co.uk/tag/homer/) - [Winter](https://natureslens.co.uk/tag/winter/) - [![A Photograph From Alison Jenkins Which Demonstrates The Magic Of Dalmatian Pelican Photography 19](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/a-photograph-from-alison-jenkins-which-demonstrates-the-magic-of-dalmatian-pelican-photography-19-300x200.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/01/09/ethical-photography-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini/) ### [Ethical Photography – Respecting the Pelicans of Lake Kerkini](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/01/09/ethical-photography-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini/) January 9, 2024 In this article, we will shed light on the importance of good ethics when photographing the pelicans of Lake Kerkini,… In this article 1. [What Is The Bald Eagle's Preferred Habitat?](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/04/02/bald-eagles/#what-is-the-bald-eagles-preferred-habitat) 1. [What Is The Bald Eagle's Preferred Diet?](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/04/02/bald-eagles/#what-is-the-bald-eagles-preferred-diet) 1. [What Is The Recovery of the Bald Eagle?](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/04/02/bald-eagles/#what-is-the-recovery-of-the-bald-eagle) ### Author DM [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) shares practical field notes, trip updates and wildlife photography advice from the NaturesLens programme. Next step ### Find your next wildlife photography holiday Browse small-group trips by destination, subject, season and photographic goal. [Browse Holidays](https://natureslens.co.uk/wildlife-photography-holidays/) ### Related articles [![When Is The Best Time For Dalmatian Pelican Photography?](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/a-photograph-from-alison-jenkins-which-demonstrates-the-magic-of-dalmatian-pelican-photography-20-150x150.jpg) **When Is the Best Time for Dalmatian Pelican Photography?**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/01/23/best-time-for-dalmatian-pelican-photography/) [![Ethical Photography – Respecting The Pelicans Of Lake Kerkini](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/a-photograph-from-alison-jenkins-which-demonstrates-the-magic-of-dalmatian-pelican-photography-19-150x150.jpg) **Ethical Photography – Respecting the Pelicans of Lake Kerkini**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/01/09/ethical-photography-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini/) ### Field notes by email New articles, trip reports and wildlife photography holiday announcements from NaturesLens. 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