11 Types of Eagles in Maine
Yes, Maine is home to bald eagles, the only true eagle species native to the state. Maine's waterways support over 2,500 documented bald eagle sightings, making it a reliable destination for eagle watching. If you see a large raptor with a white head and brown body, it is almost certainly a bald eagle. Other large raptors you might mistake for eagles, such as broad-winged hawks and red-tailed hawks, are actually hawks, not eagles. Learning the difference helps you identify what you are seeing and understand Maine's diverse raptor population.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
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- species recorded
- August, July, September
- peak months
Verified species, source iNaturalist
11 types of eagles recorded in Maine
11 eagle species have a verified observation record in Maine across the hawk and eagle family (Accipitridae), each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
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Plus 3 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
More on eagles in Maine:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
5,059 verified observations on iNaturalist of eagle have been recorded in Maine, most often in August, July, September.
When eagle are recorded in Maine
Yes, Maine is home to bald eagles, the only true eagle species native to the state. Maine's waterways support over 2,500 documented bald eagle sightings, making it a reliable destination for eagle watching. If you see a large raptor with a white head and brown body, it is almost certainly a bald eagle. Other large raptors you might mistake for eagles, such as broad-winged hawks and red-tailed hawks, are actually hawks, not eagles. Learning the difference helps you identify what you are seeing and understand Maine's diverse raptor population.
What is the difference between eagles and hawks?
Eagles and hawks are both raptors, but they differ in size, hunting style, and appearance. Eagles are larger and more powerful, with heavy beaks built for tearing prey. Bald eagles in Maine can weigh up to 14 pounds and span nearly 7 feet across the wings. Hawks are smaller, more agile fliers that hunt in varied terrain. When you see a bird with a white head and dark brown body soaring over a Maine lake, it is an eagle. If you see a smaller brown or mottled raptor, it is likely a hawk.
How do you identify a bald eagle?
Adult bald eagles are unmistakable. Males and females look identical: a dark brown body, bright white head, white tail, yellow eyes, and a large hooked yellow beak. Young bald eagles, in their first three to four years, are entirely dark brown with no white markings. This confuses many birders who mistake juveniles for other species. Bald eagles soar on flat wings held straight out from the body, unlike hawks that hold their wings in a slight V shape. Listen for their distinctive call, a sharp chirping sound quite unlike the screeching of red-tailed hawks.
Are there other eagle species in Maine?
Bald eagles are the only resident eagle species in Maine. Steller's sea-eagles, a species native to Asia, are extremely rare vagrants recorded only 113 times in Maine, and only in winter or during migration. You are not likely to see a Steller's sea-eagle. Golden eagles are found in western North America and are not part of Maine's regular raptor population. If you see a large raptor in Maine, it is virtually certain to be a bald eagle or one of the larger hawk species.
What hawks in Maine get confused with eagles?
Three hawk species commonly get mistaken for eagles in Maine. Broad-winged hawks, recorded over 700 times, are brown birds smaller than eagles that soar in flocks during migration. Red-tailed hawks, with more than 550 observations, have a distinctive rusty-red tail and are the most common large raptor. Cooper's hawks, seen over 430 times, are smaller and more agile hunters in forests. These hawks have slimmer bodies, smaller beaks, and different flight patterns than eagles. Red-tailed hawks often perch openly on dead trees or telephone poles, while bald eagles prefer tall trees near water.
When do bald eagles appear in Maine?
Bald eagles are present in Maine year-round, but numbers peak in summer and early fall. Peak viewing months are July, August, and September, when juveniles fledge and family groups begin to disperse. Winter concentrations occur near open water where eagles can fish. Fall migration brings more birds through the state as eagles move south from northern regions. Late fall through early spring offers excellent viewing opportunities as eagles congregate near open leads in lakes and rivers to feed.
Where do bald eagles hunt in Maine?
Bald eagles depend on open water to find fish, their primary food. They are found along Maine's entire coast, on major lakes such as Moosehead Lake and Richardson Lakes, and along larger rivers. They require tall trees for perching and nesting, typically white pines or other conifers near the shoreline. Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park, and the Boothbay region all support year-round bald eagle populations. Eagles rarely venture far inland unless a lake or river provides reliable water and food.
Do Maine bald eagles migrate?
Some bald eagles in Maine are resident year-round, while others migrate. Birds that breed in Maine often remain through the fall to feed on dying salmon and spawning fish. Winter brings additional eagles from Canada and the northern United States. Males tend to remain in Maine longer than females and juveniles. Eagles follow fish availability rather than strict seasonal patterns, so a harsh winter that freezes lakes can push birds to open water farther south, while a mild winter may keep more eagles in the state.
How many bald eagle nests are in Maine?
Maine has hundreds of active bald eagle nests scattered across the state, concentrated along the coast and around major lakes. The state tracks nesting pairs to monitor population recovery. Bald eagles nest only once per year, typically raising one or two young. Nests are massive structures built in the tallest available trees, often reused and added to over decades until they may weigh over a ton. Access restrictions protect most eagle nesting areas during the breeding season from February through August.
What should you do if you see a bald eagle?
If you spot a bald eagle, observe quietly from a distance without approaching. Use binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens to avoid disturbing the bird. Approach slowly and speak softly if the eagle allows closer viewing. Do not attempt to feed eagles or throw objects near them. If you are on a boat, maintain distance and move carefully. Report your sighting to local birding groups or iNaturalist to contribute to ongoing population monitoring. Respecting the bird allows others the same opportunity to observe this once-endangered species now thriving in Maine.
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Frequently asked questions
What types of eagles live in Maine?+
Eagles and hawks are both raptors, but they differ in size, hunting style, and appearance. Eagles are larger and more powerful, with heavy beaks built for tearing prey. Bald eagles in Maine can weigh up to 14 pounds and span nearly 7 feet across the wings. Hawks are smaller, more agile fliers that hunt in varied terrain. When you see a bird with a white head and dark brown body soaring over a Maine lake, it is an eagle. If you see a smaller brown or mottled raptor, it is likely a hawk.
How do you tell eagles apart in Maine?+
Eagles and hawks are both raptors, but they differ in size, hunting style, and appearance. Eagles are larger and more powerful, with heavy beaks built for tearing prey. Bald eagles in Maine can weigh up to 14 pounds and span nearly 7 feet across the wings. Hawks are smaller, more agile fliers that hunt in varied terrain. When you see a bird with a white head and dark brown body soaring over a Maine lake, it is an eagle. If you see a smaller brown or mottled raptor, it is likely a hawk.
Which eagle is most common in Maine?+
Eagles and hawks are both raptors, but they differ in size, hunting style, and appearance. Eagles are larger and more powerful, with heavy beaks built for tearing prey. Bald eagles in Maine can weigh up to 14 pounds and span nearly 7 feet across the wings. Hawks are smaller, more agile fliers that hunt in varied terrain. When you see a bird with a white head and dark brown body soaring over a Maine lake, it is an eagle. If you see a smaller brown or mottled raptor, it is likely a hawk.
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