Bald eagles are found throughout most of North America. Their natural range includes nearly all of Canada, the continental United States, and northern Mexico. They inhabit areas near large bodies of open water such as lakes, rivers, reservoirs, marshes, and coastal regions, where there is an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting
. In Canada, large populations are concentrated along the British Columbia coast and in the boreal forests of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada. In the United States, bald eagles are widespread, nesting in every continental state and congregating in winter along open waters where fish are available
. Northern populations tend to be migratory, moving south during winter when water bodies freeze, while southern populations are generally resident year- round on their breeding territories
. In summary, bald eagles are primarily found:
- Across most of Canada, especially coastal British Columbia and boreal forests inland
- Throughout the continental United States, from coast to coast
- In northern Mexico
- Near lakes, rivers, marshes, reservoirs, and coastal habitats with suitable nesting trees
They are the only sea eagle species endemic to North America
