The Bald Eagle once ranged throughout every state in the Union except Hawaii. When America adopted the bird as the national symbol in 1782, as many as 100,000 nesting Bald Eagles lived in the continental United States, excluding Alaska. By 1963 only 417 nesting pairs were found in the lower 48 States. In the late 1800's the Bald Eagle was a common breeding bird along the States, but wintering population varied, as they do today, depending on the severity of …showed first 75 words of 425 total…

…showed last 75 words of 425 total…in 1978. The current minimum of Bald Eagle nesting pairs in the lower 48 States is around 2,600. An estimate of wintering populations in the lower 48 contiguous States is around 13,500. Bald Eagle nest building activities are monitored to assess the outcome of such efforts. If needed, a disturbance-free buffer zone if established around a nest to increase chances of success. Landowners and neighbors are asked to cooperate in protection efforts. Active nest sites are monitored to determine productivity.