Bald eagles are one of the most iconic symbols of the United States. These majestic birds were once endangered, but thanks to conservation efforts, their populations have rebounded. Texas is home to a growing number of nesting bald eagle pairs, mostly concentrated in the eastern half of the state.
Bald Eagle Nesting Habits
Bald eagles typically nest near coastlines, rivers, large lakes, or other bodies of water that provide ample food. They nest in tall trees that provide good visibility and protection from predators and human disturbance. Eagles often reuse and remodel the same nest, known as an aerie, each breeding season. Aerie sites with proven success may be used and expanded for many years.
In Texas, bald eagles build nests in a variety of tree species, preferring loblolly pine, cottonwood, cypress, oak, and hackberry trees. Nests are usually located at least 60 feet (18 m) above ground. Eagles mate for life and usually lay 1-3 eggs per clutch from December to April. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 35 days before they hatch. The eaglets fledge after about 3 months in the nest.
Bald Eagle Population in Texas
Once abundant in Texas, bald eagle populations severely declined in the mid-1900s due to habitat loss, hunting, and the use of pesticides like DDT. In the 1950s, there were only about 20 known nesting pairs left in the state.
After DDT was banned and the bald eagle was listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1967, intensive conservation efforts helped bald eagle populations slowly recover across the U.S. There are now an estimated 330 nesting pairs and over 1,000 wintering bald eagles in Texas.
While no longer endangered, bald eagles remain protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Where Bald Eagles Nest in Texas
Bald eagles nest in greatest concentrations along major river systems, lakes, and reservoirs in eastern Texas. This includes areas like:
- The Pineywoods region in east Texas
- Coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico
- Wetlands along the Red River bordering Oklahoma
- The Caddo Lake area
- Reservoirs including Lake Texoma, Lake Tawakoni, Lake Livingston, and Sam Rayburn Reservoir
- Waterways such as the Trinity River and Angelina River
A survey in 2015 identified at least 161 occupied nesting territories in eastern Texas. Less than 5% of known nests occur in central and western Texas.
Notable Nesting Areas
Some specific areas with high densities of bald eagle nests include:
- Lake Buchanan: At least 12 nesting territories are found around this reservoir between Austin and San Antonio.
- Lake Livingston: Over 10 bald eagle nests occur around this reservoir northeast of Houston.
- Sam Rayburn Reservoir: This reservoir in the Angelina National Forest supports around 12 nesting territories.
- Caddo Lake: Located on the Texas/Louisiana border, this wetland area supports at least 8 active bald eagle nests.
Bald Eagle Nesting by Region of Texas
Here is a breakdown of where bald eagles nest across different regions of Texas:
Gulf Coast
There are around 50 bald eagle nesting territories along the Texas Gulf Coast. Nesting sites are found in marshy areas, bayous, and coastal woodlands from the Sabine River to the Rio Grande Valley. The Houston and Beaumont areas have some of the highest nesting densities along the coast.
Eastern Texas
The Pineywoods region of northeast Texas likely hosts over 100 bald eagle nesting territories. This includes the Caddo Lake area, with at least 8 active nests, and areas along the Sulphur River where 17 nests were documented in 2015. Overall, high nesting densities occur across Cass, Marion, Harrison, Angelina, Nacogdoches, Cherokee, Houston, Trinity, Anderson, and Henderson counties.
Central Texas
Central Texas has a much smaller bald eagle population than eastern Texas, but eagles can be found nesting along rivers and reservoirs. At least 12 nesting sites occur at Lake Buchanan northwest of Austin. Additional nests have been documented along Lake Travis, Lake Belton, and Stillhouse Hollow Lake.
Western Texas
There are very few bald eagle nests in far western Texas. However, a small breeding population is found around Lake Amistad National Recreation Area along the Rio Grande. The arid climate and lack of large waterways limits bald eagle nesting opportunities in much of western Texas.
The Panhandle
Parts of the Texas Panhandle bordering Oklahoma have a small number of bald eagle nests, mostly along the Red River. However, bald eagle nesting decreases further south and west into the drier parts of the Panhandle.
Notable Bald Eagle Nests in Texas
Some individual bald eagle nests of interest in Texas include:
- Lake Ray Roberts greenbelt nest: This nest north of Denton has been occupied since the 1990s and is viewable via an eagle cam from December-May.
- Lake Buchanan Canyon of Eagles nests: There are 12 viewable nests along this canyon, some dating back to the early 1990s.
- Lake Palestine eagle nest: A nest visible via webcam has been occupied by the same pair of bald eagles for over 15 years.
- Houston Arboretum nest: This nest is in an unusual urban location and has successfully fledged eaglets.
- UT Dallas nest: A nest built in 2015 on campus property that has successfully raised fledglings.
Changes in Nest Locations
As the bald eagle population continues to grow in Texas, nesting territory expansion is occurring in some regions. Areas such as Lake Buchanan and the Upper Texas Coast have seen increased nesting densities in recent decades.
However, the core nesting areas in eastern Texas have remained relatively constant, limited by available habitat. As new nests are established, some older or less suitable sites are abandoned.
A 2021 survey documented 331 occupied bald eagle nests in Texas, up from 276 in 2017. While many nests persist for years, annual fluctuations occur due to factors like weather, prey availability, disturbance, and turnover of breeding adults. Ongoing monitoring helps wildlife officials track these changes.
Nesting Success Rates
Texas bald eagle nests have relatively high occupancy and productivity rates. In one study, 89% of 83 monitored nests were occupied by pairs during breeding seasons from 2012-2014.
Of occupied nests, around 70% successfully produced fledglings. On average, successful nests produced 1.7 fledglings. Estimated bald eagle chick survival rates from hatching to fledging exceeded 90% in many Texas study areas.
These high nesting success rates show that Texas provides excellent bald eagle breeding habitat. As the population continues to increase, eagles may expand into new nesting territories in previously unused areas of the state.
Threats to Nests
While bald eagle populations are thriving, Texas nests still face some threats and challenges. These include:
- Habitat loss: Development near nesting sites can disturb and displace eagles.
- Human disturbance: Nest abandonment sometimes occurs due to close human encroachment.
- Storm damage: Severe winds can knock down nest trees.
- Prey availability: Drought or changes in fish populations can reduce food resources.
- Pollution: Toxins introduced into the food chain can reduce nesting success.
Regulations such as the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act provide important safeguards. Ongoing conservation initiatives aim to protect and expand bald eagle nesting habitat across Texas.
Future Outlook
With increased public awareness and habitat protection, the future looks bright for bald eagles in Texas. Nest numbers and productivity continue to trend upward, though growth may level off as populations saturate prime habitat.
If water quality, prey availability, and low human disturbance are maintained, Texas bald eagles are likely to continue flourishing. Regular monitoring and protection of nest sites will remain important to ensure the ongoing success of these magnificent raptors across the Texas landscape.
Conclusion
In summary, bald eagles nest primarily in the eastern half of Texas, concentrated along major lakes, reservoirs, and river systems. The highest density of nesting occurs in the Pineywoods region, with over 100 territories identified. Central and western Texas have smaller, scattered nesting populations tied to local waterways.
Notable nesting hotspots include Caddo Lake, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Lake Livingston, Lake Buchanan, and the Upper Texas Coast. Even within their core range, nest locations can fluctuate over time as new territories are established. Ongoing conservation and monitoring efforts are critical to support Texas’ growing bald eagle population.