Eagles

Florida
Florida supports the highest number of breeding bald eagles in the lower 48 states and represents roughly 10% (1,166 of 11,040) of the breeding population in the lower 48 states. They currently nest in 59 of 67 counties in Florida (27). Bald eagles were common in the early 20th century and populations around Tampa Bay and Merritt Island were called “some of the densest concentrations of large raptors anywhere on earth” (70). Scientists noted the “heavy nesting failures” of eagles in Florida and “near extirpation” in Brevard county after 1950 due to direct persecution and DDT contamination. Statewide breeding season surveys began in 1973 and recorded 88 pairs of eagles. In 2006, surveys counted 1,166 breeding pairs. However, Scientists note there are always nests missed in the count and the actual number is possibly 20% higher. They add that “as development of Florida's coastal and freshwater riparian environments increases, the effects (direct and indirect) of pollution, loss of water quality, etc. accumulate as well, and the bald eagle will be among the first species to respond to these impacts.”