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Wildlife Fact:

Immature bald eagles do not acquire the typical white head and tail until they are four to five years of age.

Bald Eagle Project

We help manage the state's population of Bald eagles. In 2012, there were 135 pairs of nesting Bald eagles in New Jersey.

Videos
- Bald Eagles Make a Comeback
- Banding Eagles at Duke Farms

Image of An adult eagle flies over it's nest while biologists visit the site to survey and band the nestlings.

Zoom+ An adult eagle flies over it's nest while biologists visit the site to survey and band the nestlings. © Cheryl Healy

New Jersey was once home to more than 20 pairs of nesting Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). As a result of the use of the pesticide DDT, the number of nesting pairs of Bald eagles in the state declined to only one by 1970 and remained at one into the early 1980's. Use of DDT was banned in 1972. That ban combined with restoration efforts by biologists within the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) acted to increase the number of New Jersey Bald eagles to 119 active pairs in 2012.

Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ and ENSP biologists work together to manage and reduce disturbance in eagle habitats, especially around nest sites. Eagles are very sensitive to human disturbance and will abandon their nest sites if people encroach on the area during the nesting season. Education and established viewing areas are important in minimizing disturbance, as are the efforts of project volunteers. Biologists also work to protect habitat in a variety of ways, including working with landowners, land acquisition experts, and through the state's land use regulations.

During the nesting season (late Jan. - July) we host a live web camera (EagleCam) that is situated above a Bald eagle nest inside Duke Farms in Hillsborough, New Jersey.

Learn More:

Bald Eagle information including identification, life history, distribution, and more.

Guidelines for Maintenance at Communication Towers that Support Raptor Nests in New Jersey - 49.4KB
This publication is meant to be a guide for companies that manage and maintain communication towers in New Jersey that support raptor nests. It offers key points of contact with NJ Fish and Wildlife and CWF and offers information on what to do when you encounter an active osprey or eagle nest throughout the year.

Adopt a Species - Bald eagle - 197.5KB
Detailed information about the Bald eagle in New Jersey.

2012 Bald Eagle Project Report - 1.3MB
Annual Newsletter for the Bald Eagle Project

2011 Bald Eagle Project Report - 842.7KB
Annual Newsletter for the Bald Eagle Project

2010 Bald Eagle Project Report - 534.7KB
Annual newsletter for the Bald Eagle Project

2009 Bald Eagle Project Report - 430.8KB
Annual newsletter for the Bald Eagle Project.

Contact Us:

Larissa Smith, Biologist: Email
609.628.0402

Find Related Info: Bald Eagles, Raptors

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