THE BALD EAGLE
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
According to the Southern Ontario Bald Eagle Monitoring Project, the population of these birds in the Great Lakes area prior to the arrival of European settlers, could have been as high as one nest per mile along the lake Erie shoreline in some areas.
Due to loss of nesting and hunting habitat because of the clearing of land for farming and direct human predation, the numbers declined dramatically in the early 1900's.
Protective legislation was introduced in 1890 and the Bald Eagle Act in 1940 and these helped to set the stage for a recovery in their population.
The use of the pesticide DDT and pollution by PCB's in the mid-20th century almost led to the extinction of these beautiful birds, and in 1980 there were almost no chicks surviving in the three remaining active nests along the Lake Erie shore in Southern Ontario.
Since then, thanks to protection and active conservation, the populations have started to increase, and more and more young Eaglets are surviving to continue to spread and successfully breed.
The Bald Eagle is a Species of Special Concern in Ontario
In August 2016, I was privileged to see a pair of Bald Eagles gliding overhead while I was sitting in a parking lot in North London, Ontario.
They were unmistakable as they flew gracefully overhead, with their dark body and white plumage on their heads and tails.
I believe there is a breeding pair in the Fanshawe Park area of London, which have been sighted at the Sunningdale Golf Course, and along the banks of the River Thames. I suspect that this was the pair that I spotted.
A pair has also been seen at the Greenway Pollution Plant , London, just click for more information and pictures.
In the photo above you can see one of the parent birds returning to the nest with a meal for her young eaglets.
The nests, called "Aeries" are often large, averaging 1.5 to 2 meters across.
The adult pair build a nest and over the following years, they add to it, making it bigger and bigger each season.
Usually, a pair begins the job of preparing the nest up to three months before the female starts to lay her eggs.
In some northern areas of Canada, they have been observed repairing and enlarging their nests at the end of the breeding season, ready for their return in the Spring when the nest may require minor repairs.
Aeries are often built at the top of the tallest trees, which gives the birds the best view of the surrounding area.
Often the parents build their nests close to water, as they catch fish for themselves and their young.
You can see more reports of Bald Eagle sightings
on our Facebook page
Discover Southern Ontario on Facebook!
You can read more of our readers Bald Eagle sightings from previous years by following the links below ...
Bald Eagle Sightings 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 2013 2014
I recently found this Youtube video of Bald Eagles at Fanshawe Dam in London, Ontario - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Do you have a story about a sighting of a Bald Eagle?
Do you have a great story to tell? Please share it with our other readers!
If you can, make your submission to us around 100 to 150 words long, and tell us when and where you saw the Eagle and what they were doing - our readers will thank you!
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Bald Eagles in abundance 
One of our readers wrote ... Bald Eagle spotted! Just as my wife and I approached her father's place in our car in Northwest Caledon, a Bald Eagle …
Bald Eagles in Abundance
Terry wrote ... there is an active nest of 2 Eagles in Beamsville, Ontario, sitting on eggs now. Terry, I didn't publish the exact location of the Eagles' …
Recent Bald Eagle Sightings
Maggie from Norval wrote to report ... I just happened to look up and there soaring above was a very large bird, with a white head and white fanned tail. …
Nesting pair of Bald Eagles and successful fledge of 2 eaglets
Waterloo Region in the Laurel Creek Headwaters ESL.
I have been a volunteer wildlife photographer with the liaison group for the ESL since 2009.
…
Immature American Bald Eagle
I was out and about for a walk in Ajax, along lake Ontario this morning around 9:30 - 10:00 and spotted this big guy, way high up in a tree, watching the …
Sightings of Bald Eagles
Carey and Wendy Lewis from Port Stanley wrote to say ... my wife and I were travelling north on Imperial Road (road 73) when we saw a Bald Eagle perched …
Juvenile Bald Eagle taking over Osprey nest in Belwood
Right on Belwood Lake by the bridge is an Osprey Nest!
I love watching them and taking photos and it is always a sad time when they leave in the fall! …
Bald Eagle spotted in Iron Bridge
I was passing through Iron Bridge, Ontario, and spotted two beautiful Bald Eagles.
I got a couple of pictures of one, but the other one took off before …
Ontario Bald Eagle Sightings
One of our readers from Aldershot sent us this picture of a Bald Eagle perched on top of tree.
Hubert and Janet wrote to say ...after leaving our cabin …
Bald Eagle Spotted Flying down the Weir in Port Colborne
Yesterday morning at 10:00 am I was walking my dogs down by Derek's Point in Port Colborne.
As we walked alongside the weir, enjoying the very loud …
Mississauga Ontario
My husband and I walking round Lisgar Brook Meadow, when we spotted a Bald Eagle fly over the pond and land on a tree at Lisgar Woods.
I was …
Bald Eagles in Mississauga
I was driving home on the 407 approaching Brittania Road, when I noticed two large birds that appeared to be Bald Eagles in an old dead tree at …
Rouge Hill Eagle
I was on GO train from Toronto to Oshawa on April 26th at about 4pm when I saw what at first I thought was a Turkey Vulture as per normal as my …
More Bald Eagle sightings
Here are some recent reports from our readers of Bald Eagle sightings across Ontario
Fred from Kingston reported ... my wife and I recently took the …
Eagles - Balds and possible Goldens sighted
We have recently had several readers report sightings of Bald Eagles and possibly Golden Eagles. The Golden Eagle is seldom sighted in Southern …
Chatham Ontario Spotting
The other day I was sitting in my car and looked up. We have a lot of Turkey Vultures in the area so I thought nothing of the big bird in …
Bald Eagles in Southern Ontario
In May Rob Lawrence from Ridgeway, Ontario wrote to say ... March 2016 my wife, granddaughter & myself were driving by Ridgemount quarries, Fort Erie, …
Ontario Bald Eagle Sightings
Alex from Brantford said ... Since the beginning of last year I have seen four Eagles in Brant county. The first was early February of last year in Osweken, …
Lots more Ontario Bald Eagles
Randy Keating from Oil Springs reported ... This morning we woke to TWO beautiful majestic Bald Eagles in our pasture. At first we notice just one, and …
Bald Eagle Port Dover Ontario
I encountered this magnificent creature while he was feasting on some road-kill.
He flew off when I drove past.
I went a quarter mile down the …
Bald Eagles throughout Southern Ontario
We have received an amazing number of Bald Eagle sightings recently - here are the latest!
Jon from Caledonia recently spotted Eagles near Middleport, …
November 3rd 2015 - Bald Eagle sighting
I was sitting on my porch with the neighbor and he saw the majestic Eagle fly to the top of the huge white pine tree here in Grimsby, Ontario, near the …
Bald Eagle in Oakville
Driving east on Dundas Street at 3:15 pm on Thursday, Oct 1st 2015 I saw a large bird out my left window as I crossed the bridge over Lyons Valley Park …
Golden Eagles at mouth of canal in Niagara
We have seen two massive brown birds recently by Joan's Beach in St. Catharines.
They have silvery, white designs on underside of wings. We …
Bald Eagles in the area
Karen Robinson spotted a pair of Bald Eagles, just north of Thorndale ... Driving up a side-road to Cherry Grove, and a pair of Bald Eagles glide in front …
Bald Eagles at Butler Lake in Northern Ontario
My family has been here since the sixties and today I've witnessed one of the two bird's my cousin said were here for the past two years.
To his account, …
Eagle sighting Lakeshore, Ontario
I was driving home from work and had an Eagle fly in front of my car and perch on a tree across the road.
I managed to snap some photos and a video …
Bald Eagles around the province
Alex from Brantford wrote to say ..... Over the past two years I have had four sightings. The first was in Ohsweken on the Six Nations reserve last February. …
Eagles in North Perth County
Over the past month I have seen 4 individual eagles in North Perth County on the outskirts of Listowel, Ontario.
Two of these are mated, and one …
Bald Eagle Sightings
Four of our readers wrote to tell us about their Bald Eagle sighting in the past week.
Tracey from Norland, Ontario, reported ... While sitting at my …
We are surrounded
I live just outside of West Lorne heading towards Rodney Ontario.
This week alone I have seen an adult Bald Eagle three times.
The first …
Bald Eagles in Niagara-on-the-Lake
We were driving down the Niagara Parkway when I spotted two Bald Eagles resting in a tree along the river.
I pulled the car over and managed …
Bald Eagle in Cornwall
While transporting waste to the landfill in Cornwall, Ontario, I viewed a bird different from the seagulls and turkey vultures normally seen.
I had …
Bald Eagle on Big Bald Lake, Buckhorn, Ontario
Where else should a Bald Eagle be, but on Big Bald Lake?
I captured a photo just as this lovely Eagle was ready to take flight from a rock we aptly …
Bald Eagles in Oxford County
Yesterday, my Mom and I were travelling between Woodstock and Tillsonburg, Ontario.
When we were near Norwich I saw a Bald Eagle flying fairly low over …
Returning Bald Eagles 
Jacquie Thomson from Whitby, Ontario, wrote to report ..... My family and I were driving home on February 17th along highway 401 going west. We had just …
Beachville sighting
Since Christmas I have seen a Bald Eagle in Beachville on four separate occasions.
The Eagle had a favourite fishing hole, but I have not noticed …
Bald Eagle sighted in Cambridge Not rated yet
I was out for a walk in Cambridge, Ontario today and noticed another walker looking up across the street.
At the same time I could hear crows coming …
Bald Eagle Not rated yet
We live in Waterloo, Ontario.
When I was walking in my neighborhood I saw this guy on a tree top and now it stated flying over my roof.
We live …
Bald Eagle breeding pair spotted! Not rated yet
I've seen Bald Eagles about 7 times flying over my place in the last 2 years here in Southwold Township.
I watched one fly across the fields right …
Lighthouse Cove Eagles Not rated yet
Family Day adventure on a rare travelled road near Lighthouse Cove Southwestern Ontario.
We actually saw 8 distinct eagles of various ages.
Very …
Bald Eagle feeding on deer carcass Not rated yet
Cathy from Mount Forest wrote ... I have seen Eagles flying around the Mt Forest area for several months now. One has been feeding on a deer carcass for …
Bald Eagles Not rated yet
J Goodfellow wrote ... Bald eagle in Lincoln October 2 2022, early evening. I was driving on King Street in Beamsville. I looked up and saw a huge bird. …
Humber River Eagle Not rated yet
I saw a single Eagle sighted on the break-wall at the mouth of the Humber River in Toronto.
Save these Eagles; Save the Huttonville Forest Not rated yet
The Huttonville Forest in Brampton, Ontario is about to be disrupted by a 2.5 ha destruction of top of bank forest along the West credit river bank to …
Bald Eagle near Langton in Norfolk county Not rated yet
I spotted this Bald Eagle the other day in one of our fields, near Langton, Ontario.
We have seen Bald Eagles before at our farm and recently sighted …
Bald Eagles in Lakeshore Ontario Not rated yet
These three Bald Eagles have shown up by Lake St. Clair sitting in a tree by the water.
Their nest is in a nearby field.
Is it usual for three …
Bald Eagle in Brampton Not rated yet
This morning we saw a Bald Eagle in a spruce tree in the backyard.
I took a picture but it’s not the greatest quality.
We live in the Queen and …
Bald Eagles Nest in Delaware, Ontario Not rated yet
One of the Bald Eagle pairs on our farm property are in the process of building a nest.
We have an active adult and juvenile Eagle population, who …
Bald Eagles seen at the Humber River in Toronto Not rated yet
My first Bald Eagle was seen 3 years ago in January in Humber Bay Park perched on a tall Aspen overlooking Humber Bay.
This Year I saw the adult Bald …
Bald Eagle Pair Spotted Not rated yet
While driving my son to work around 8:00 am this morning, we saw two Bald Eagles perched on this tree, heading north from Port Dover, Ontario on the …
Several Bald Eagle Sightings Not rated yet
Melanie Lord saw a Bald Eagle over Norway Lake and said ... we were having lunch on the screened in deck of our cottage looking down at our waterfront …
4 Bald Eagles at Burlington Springs Golf Course Not rated yet
October 17, 2020 - four mature Bald Eagles flying over the 3rd hole green about 1:30 pm. Heading from north to south.
All with distinctive white heads …
Baldy in Nanticoke/ Norfolk County Not rated yet
I was driving my taxi near the refinery in Nanticoke, when I spotted this eagle flying overhead. I asked my fare if he had ever seen a North American Eagle? …
New Techumseth, Ontario. Not rated yet
I was just driving down the road when I saw this Bald Eagle.
I parked and filmed for a bit.
Bald Eagle In Port Colbourne Harbour with prey - Video Not rated yet
Sitting on ice with prey then flying off!
Magnificent view!!
Thank you for sending us your picture!
Bald Eagle eating a Deer Not rated yet
On our drive from Halliburton into Toronto on March 4th, 2020 we spotted a Bald Eagle eating a Deer on the side of Highway 35, close to Silver Lake. …
Bald Eagle sightings around Southern Ontario Not rated yet
Sue Conway from Mississauga wrote ... today, Tuesday October 2nd, on the first line just south of Britannia on the East side. Magnificent.
Louise Fowler …
Immature Bald Eagle in North Ajax Not rated yet
Spotted at dusk perched up on a tree facing east.
I was on my home from work going South on Westney Road when I noticed this bird.
This was September …
Eagles in St Marys Not rated yet
Seen perched high in a neighbour's tree these two Bald Eagles seem to have made the St Marys area their home.
Photo taken Wednesday June 12, 2019. …
Bald Eagle on Earth Day, April 22, 2019 Not rated yet
I had no idea that Bald Eagles were in this area until I thought I saw one the other day east of Thamesville.
I spotted this large nest, visible from …
Bald Eagles in Southern Ontario Not rated yet
David Turner wrote to say ... I am a municipal bus driver in Oakville, Ontario and although not a bird enthusiast, I know a Bald Eagle when I see one …
Upper Niagara Parkway Bald Eagles Not rated yet
Driving along the Upper Niagara Parkway at 11:00 am on January 22 2019.
This gorgeous Bald Eagle was just sitting atop a tree along by the Niagara …
Bald Eagle in Verona, Ontario Not rated yet
Saw this Bald Eagle on November 9th 2018, in the morning.
Thank you for writing to tell us of your Bald Eagle sighting, I will post this on our Facebook …
Bald Eagle while golfing Not rated yet
Golfing at Kettle Creek golf course in Port Stanley on the 8th hole at a small pond in front of the green.
A Bald Eagle swooped down into the shallow …
More Ontario Bald Eagles Not rated yet
Fred wrote to tell us ... I did not think Bald Eagles were in Ontario, much less Collingwood, but that is what it looked like. April 28 my wife made me …
Bald Eagle sightings Not rated yet
Craig from Milton, Ontario, wrote ... I was traveling on the 407 just south of Britannia Road. I'm thinking in the same location as an earlier post. …
Two Eagles in one tree Not rated yet
After leaving our cabin in Wilno, Ontario, along highway 60 heading east just before Eaganville, my wife and I spotted not one, but two Eagles in one tree. …
Smileybastard Not rated yet
I saw a mature Bald Eagle and I believe an immature Bald Eagle about 3 km South East of Southampton, Ontario, where Bruce Rd. 3 crosses the Saugeen. …
Pair of Bald Eagles Not rated yet
I have noticed a pair of Bald Eagles in the west area on the east side of the 407 just south of Britannia Rd., in Mississauga for about a month. …
Bird of Prey for sure Not rated yet
This is a bird of prey for sure ... the proof is in its claws.
I was in my backyard last evening (Monday, August 14, 2017) and heard these repeated …
The Eagles of Fall 2016 Not rated yet
Ray Leonard said ... We were golfing at the Summit golf club at Yonge St and Stouffville Rd north of Toronto and saw a Bald Eagle soaring overhead …
Sturgeon Point Bald Eagle Sighting Not rated yet
We have many Osprey in the area, so when anyone has mentioned seeing an Eagle, it has been dismissed as being confused with one of the local …
Many Bald Eagles sighted Not rated yet
One of our readers wrote to say ... I was driving with my Dad going southbound on White Oak Road, close to/toward Manning Drive. We both saw …
Bald Eagles fishing the open water created by Ferry crossing at Glenora Not rated yet
My wife and I recently took the Glenora ferry to Prince Edward county.
We observed four individual Bald Eagles flying over and hunting the …
Soaring overhead in January Not rated yet
I live southwest of Peterborough Ontario out in the country.
Today as I was outside in minus 11 degree weather checking the bird feeder, I looked …
Bald Eagle (Immature) Not rated yet
Bald Eagle (Immature)
Brantford, Ontario
Gilkison Street (West Brant Area)
December 2nd 2016
Spotted this magnificent immature Bald Eagle …
Bald Eagles at Midhurst, Ontario Not rated yet
Aside from out west, I have NEVER seen a Bald Eagle locally and have lived all my like within either Barrie or Collingwood area.
Midhurst is a village …
Bald Eagle Not rated yet
Late last winter I was lucky to have a visitor in front of my house.
I live in Vankleek Hill and it was the first time I saw one here.
…
Bald Eagle diving for fish 30' from me Not rated yet
August 2016 - Lake Simcoe - Ontario - Tim reported ... I saw and experienced the most amazing animal interaction first hand on Lake Simcoe this …
St Thomas Bald Eagles Not rated yet
Back in June, my fiancee and I were driving along county road 52 Ron McNeil Line, near St Thomas, when we observed activity at the Bald Eagle's nest …
Bald Eagles on the water Not rated yet
Here are some recent Bald Eagle sightings from our readers.
Scott Schlegel wrote to tell us ... This past Labour day Monday, my family and I were taking …
Sunday morning surprise... Not rated yet
My wife and I spent the middle two weeks of August 2015 vacationing at her family's cottage on Buckhorn Lake in the Kawarthas with our son and his fiance …
Bald Eagle sightings Not rated yet
My hubby and I were kayaking Orr Lake near Elmvale, Ontario, and saw one in a tree by the lake.
There was another that flew off but could …
Bald Eagle nest London, Ontario Not rated yet
While kayaking on the Thames River here in London, Ontario, and to the west, we have spotted a large Bald Eagle nest and it must be 6 to 8 feet in diameter. …
Bald Eagle sighting, Bruce Peninsula Not rated yet
On Saturday April 4 2015 we took a walk after supper at 6:30 pm on Golden Pond Drive South Bruce peninsula.
We are located on Gould Lake on a small …
Windsor Ontario Bald Eagle Not rated yet
We walk our dog in west Windsor, Broadway Park, and when you are walking along the river from there, a Bald Eagle is usually flying around that …
Late for work! Not rated yet
Laura, one of our readers from Beachville, Ontario, tells us about her sighting of a Bald Eagle ... As I drove the same road to work that I do almost every …
Bald Eagle sighted near Strathroy, Ontario Not rated yet
While driving home from Sarnia along Melwood Rd just east of Case Rd (near Strathroy, Ontario), my husband spotted a bird in the trees that he thought …
Bald Eagle Info ...
Southern Ontario Bald Eagle Monitoring Project
This site is rich with information about these birds, "le pygargue à tête blanche" their habits, their habitat and also info about how to become a volunteer with this organization
Journey North - info on the Eagles
This site is a great resource for adults and children who want to learn more about this wonderful bird - info about their nests, their migration and their food
Recent Articles
-
The Killdeer
Oct 25, 24 06:00 PM
-
Brampton Peacock
Oct 25, 24 06:00 AM
-
A Very Large Opossum
Oct 21, 24 06:00 AM
