13 Types of Eagles in Washington
Washington is home to two eagle species: the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle. Bald Eagles are far more common, with over 14,000 iNaturalist observations in the state, especially in winter and early spring. Golden Eagles are much rarer, with fewer than 400 sightings recorded. Both species are large raptors, but they look quite different and behave differently. Many birds mistaken for eagles are actually hawks or other raptors. Understanding the field marks and habitats of true eagles helps you identify them correctly and increases your chances of seeing them on a Washington wildlife trip.
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
- April, January, March
- peak months
Verified species, source iNaturalist
13 types of eagles recorded in Washington
13 eagle species have a verified observation record in Washington 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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Also recorded in Washington
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | White-tailed KiteElanus leucurus | Elanus leucurus | 19 |
Plus 1 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 Washington:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
29,610 verified observations on iNaturalist of eagle have been recorded in Washington, most often in April, January, March.
When eagle are recorded in Washington
Washington is home to two eagle species: the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle. Bald Eagles are far more common, with over 14,000 iNaturalist observations in the state, especially in winter and early spring. Golden Eagles are much rarer, with fewer than 400 sightings recorded. Both species are large raptors, but they look quite different and behave differently. Many birds mistaken for eagles are actually hawks or other raptors. Understanding the field marks and habitats of true eagles helps you identify them correctly and increases your chances of seeing them on a Washington wildlife trip.
What is the difference between a Bald Eagle and a Golden Eagle?
Bald Eagles have white heads and necks with dark brown bodies and are much easier to spot. Adult Bald Eagles weigh 7 to 10 pounds and have dark brown plumage contrasting sharply with a white head that becomes visible around age four or five. Immature Bald Eagles are all dark brown and can be confused with Golden Eagles. Golden Eagles are mostly dark brown or bronze overall, with a golden wash on the head and nape that gives them their name. Golden Eagles are slightly smaller than Bald Eagles, weighing 6 to 8 pounds. Their dark coloring and lack of white markings make them blend into forest and mountain habitat. Bald Eagles hunt near water, where their white heads make them conspicuous. Golden Eagles hunt over open country and mountains, where their dark color works as camouflage.
Bald Eagle identification in Washington
Adult Bald Eagles are unmistakable: white head, white tail, and dark brown body. They have yellow eyes, a yellow beak, and yellow legs. Immature Bald Eagles take five years to develop full white plumage. Young Bald Eagles are all dark brown with a dark beak and brown eyes, making them harder to tell from other large raptors. Look for a massive body, long broad wings held flat in flight, and a heavy head. Bald Eagles are about 30 inches long with a seven to eight foot wingspan. In Washington, Bald Eagles are common along coastlines, rivers, and large lakes where fish are abundant. Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the Skagit River valley have the highest concentrations. Winter and early spring (January through April) are peak seasons when Bald Eagles congregate to feed on spawning salmon.
Golden Eagle identification in Washington
Golden Eagles are rare in Washington, with fewer than 400 recorded sightings on iNaturalist. They are entirely dark brown to bronze, without any white markings. The key field mark is a golden tint to the head and upper neck, visible in good light. Golden Eagles have a more slender build than Bald Eagles, longer wings relative to their body, and a smaller head. In flight, Golden Eagles soar on motionless wings, whereas Bald Eagles flap more often when flying. Golden Eagles are about 26 to 40 inches long with a seven to seven and a half foot wingspan. They prefer open terrain: mountains, ridges, grasslands, and sagebrush country. In Washington, Golden Eagles are most likely in the eastern region and along the Cascade crests, especially during migration periods. They are rarely seen on the coast or in western lowlands.
Why are hawks confused with eagles?
Many raptors in Washington get called eagles but are actually hawks. The most commonly misidentified species are Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, and Northern Harriers. Red-tailed Hawks (over 6,800 observations in Washington) have a red tail in adults and a brown body, but immatures have dark tails and all-brown plumage that can look like a young Bald Eagle. Red-tailed Hawks are much smaller, about 19 to 25 inches, with shorter, broader wings held in a slight V when soaring. Cooper's Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks are accipiter species with short, broad wings and long tails, built for agility in trees rather than open-air hunting. They are 10 to 20 inches long and cannot be confused with eagles once you know the size difference. Northern Harriers hunt low over marshes and grasslands with a floppy, buoyant flight, totally unlike eagle soaring behavior.
How do eagles hunt in Washington waters?
Bald Eagles hunt primarily by watching from a high perch or soaring slowly over water. They spot fish near the surface, then dive with talons extended to snatch them from the water. Bald Eagles also hunt waterfowl and occasionally grab small mammals or scavenge carrion. In Washington, Bald Eagles concentrate at rivers during salmon runs in late fall and winter. Skagit Valley has one of the highest Bald Eagle concentrations in the contiguous United States during December and January. Golden Eagles hunt from high altitude soaring or from perches on cliffs or tall trees. They target jackrabbits, ground squirrels, and other medium-sized prey. Golden Eagles kill prey in flight or on the ground, then carry it to a cliff or tree to eat. Because Golden Eagles hunt over open terrain rather than water, they are less visible to most Washington observers.
What size are Washington eagles compared to other raptors?
Bald Eagles are massive compared to most other Washington raptors. An adult Bald Eagle weighs 7 to 10 pounds and stretches 30 inches from head to tail. Only the largest Great Horned Owls and occasional Rough-legged Hawks approach this size. Golden Eagles weigh 6 to 8 pounds and measure 26 to 40 inches, so they are slightly smaller than Bald Eagles but still far larger than most hawks. Red-tailed Hawks, the second-most observed raptor in Washington with over 6,800 sightings, weigh only 1.5 to 3.5 pounds. Cooper's Hawks weigh less than one pound. This size difference is one of the easiest ways to rule out a mis-identification: if a bird looks as big as an eagle, it probably is one.
When do eagles migrate through Washington?
Bald Eagles are present in Washington year-round, but numbers peak in winter and early spring. iNaturalist data shows April, January, and March are the three months with the most Bald Eagle observations. Peak season runs from November through March when Bald Eagles concentrate at salmon rivers. Some Washington Bald Eagles migrate north to Alaska or Canada in late spring, and those birds are replaced by migrants from inland regions. Golden Eagles are also present year-round but in very small numbers. Many records come from fall and spring migration periods when birds move between northern and southern ranges. Golden Eagle sightings in Washington are too rare and scattered to follow a clear seasonal pattern, so you cannot predict timing based on month alone.
What habitats do eagles use in Washington?
Bald Eagles depend on large bodies of water and tall trees for nesting and hunting. Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, the Olympic Peninsula, the Cascades, and river valleys with old-growth forest and open water support the most eagles. Bald Eagles nest in the tallest firs and cedars available, often in old-growth stands overlooking rivers or open water. Golden Eagles use open, mountainous terrain: ridgelines, grasslands, and canyon country. They nest on cliff faces or high outcrops in the eastern Cascades and in the Blue Mountains of southeast Washington. The Skagit Valley, Puget Sound, and the San Juan Islands are the most reliable places to see Bald Eagles. The Mount Rainier gateway routes and North Cascades are good for both Bald and Golden Eagles during spring and fall migration.
How many eagles are in Washington?
Bald Eagles are common. Over 14,000 iNaturalist observations document Bald Eagles in Washington, making them the dominant eagle species by a factor of 40. Most of those sightings come from Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and river valleys. Golden Eagles are rare in Washington, with fewer than 350 verified sightings on iNaturalist. They occur mainly in the eastern mountains and along high ridgelines. The actual breeding population of Bald Eagles in Washington is estimated at 500 to 1,000 pairs based on Audubon surveys, though most sightings come from wintering birds that move in from Canada and Alaska.
Can you see both eagle species on the same trip?
Seeing both Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles on a single Washington wildlife trip is very unlikely. Bald Eagles are abundant on the coast and in western lowlands during winter, while Golden Eagles are rare and prefer eastern mountains and high terrain. If you want to see Bald Eagles, visit Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, or the Skagit River valley from December through April. If you want to target Golden Eagles, hike high ridgelines in the North Cascades or eastern Cascades during spring or fall migration. Most casual wildlife watchers see Bald Eagles by chance or on guided tours. Golden Eagle sightings require deliberate effort in the right habitat at the right time and are best left to experienced raptor spotters.
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Frequently asked questions
What types of eagles live in Washington?+
Bald Eagles have white heads and necks with dark brown bodies and are much easier to spot. Adult Bald Eagles weigh 7 to 10 pounds and have dark brown plumage contrasting sharply with a white head that becomes visible around age four or five. Immature Bald Eagles are all dark brown and can be confused with Golden Eagles. Golden Eagles are mostly dark brown or bronze overall, with a golden wash on the head and nape that gives them their name. Golden Eagles are slightly smaller than Bald Eagles, weighing 6 to 8 pounds. Their dark coloring and lack of white markings make them blend into forest and mountain habitat. Bald Eagles hunt near water, where their white heads make them conspicuous. Golden Eagles hunt over open country and mountains, where their dark color works as camouflage.
How do you tell eagles apart in Washington?+
Bald Eagles have white heads and necks with dark brown bodies and are much easier to spot. Adult Bald Eagles weigh 7 to 10 pounds and have dark brown plumage contrasting sharply with a white head that becomes visible around age four or five. Immature Bald Eagles are all dark brown and can be confused with Golden Eagles. Golden Eagles are mostly dark brown or bronze overall, with a golden wash on the head and nape that gives them their name. Golden Eagles are slightly smaller than Bald Eagles, weighing 6 to 8 pounds. Their dark coloring and lack of white markings make them blend into forest and mountain habitat. Bald Eagles hunt near water, where their white heads make them conspicuous. Golden Eagles hunt over open country and mountains, where their dark color works as camouflage.
Which eagle is most common in Washington?+
Bald Eagles have white heads and necks with dark brown bodies and are much easier to spot. Adult Bald Eagles weigh 7 to 10 pounds and have dark brown plumage contrasting sharply with a white head that becomes visible around age four or five. Immature Bald Eagles are all dark brown and can be confused with Golden Eagles. Golden Eagles are mostly dark brown or bronze overall, with a golden wash on the head and nape that gives them their name. Golden Eagles are slightly smaller than Bald Eagles, weighing 6 to 8 pounds. Their dark coloring and lack of white markings make them blend into forest and mountain habitat. Bald Eagles hunt near water, where their white heads make them conspicuous. Golden Eagles hunt over open country and mountains, where their dark color works as camouflage.
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