Texas gas a rich variety of wildlife , and among its most telling dweller are the magnificent eagles that soar across its sky . The United States Department of State is home to several distincttypes of bird of Jove in Texasthat take in the attention of birdwatchers and nature lovers likewise . Their hefty presence and scratch feature film make them reliable symbolic representation of the state of nature .
This article introduce you to the3 types of eagles in Texasthat are most normally date throughout the realm . With elaborated identification peak and clear photographs , you ’ll be able to recognize these telling birds during your outside adventures .
From the forests and rivers to the wide - open plains , Texas provides various habitat that sustain these unbelievable birds of target . see about the differenttypes of eaglesin Texaswill deepen your discernment and appreciation of the state ’s natural heritage .
Eagles Found in Texas
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
The Bald Eagle is the most recognizable eagle metal money in North America and is wide known as the home bird of the United States . In Texas , it is unremarkably seen during the winter calendar month , especially near large lake , reservoirs , and rivers . Adult Bald Eagles are well key out by their striking white head and posterior , contrasting sharply with their dark brown torso and wings . Juveniles lack the white coloration and appear mostly dapple brown , seduce them more difficult to identify until they turn over maturity at around five years old .
Bald Eagles choose habitats near enceinte bodies of body of water that support abundant Pisces population , their primary food source . In Texas , they are often found in East Texas and along major river systems such as the Trinity , Sabine , and Neches Rivers . While many are migratory visitors , some gentility populations are present in the DoS , peculiarly in forested areas near H2O . They build monumental marijuana cigarette nest high in Tree , which can be reused and added to each year , sometimes make over six foot broad .
A bewitching fact about Bald Eagles is that their call are astonishingly decrepit for such a knock-down bird — they emit a series of high - pitched chirps and whistles , quite different from the dramatic cry often dubbed over in motion picture . Despite being once menace due to pesticide consumption and habitat passing , Bald Eagle populations have rebounded significantly , and they are now a conservation success news report . Today , they continue tosymbolize strengthand exemption and are a thrilling sight for birdwatchers across Texas .
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
The Golden Eagle is a powerful and olympian bird of prey that dwell the more rugged and distant parting of Texas , specially in the Trans - Pecos region of West Texas . It is less unwashed than the Bald Eagle in the nation and is usually seen during the winter months . Adult Golden Eagles are dark brown overall with a golden sheen on the back of the head and neck opening . juvenile can be identified by the presence of classifiable white darn at the base of the derriere and wings , which fade as they age .
Golden Eagles prefer open landscapes like deserts , grasslands , foothills , and mountainous region where they can hang glide in search of prey . In Texas , they are typically found in isolated , arid area such as the Davis Mountains and Big Bend domain . These birds are various Hunter , preying primarily on small mammalian such as jackrabbit , priming coat squirrels , and occasionally reptiles or bird . Unlike Bald Eagles , which often scavenge , Golden Eagles are active predatory animal with unbelievable speed and ethereal agility .
An interesting fact about the Golden Eagle is that it has been revered in various cultures throughout account , from aboriginal American tradition to ancient European symbolisation . Despite being a powerful raptor , it is very secretive and prefers to nullify area with intemperate human activeness , score sightings in Texas quite exceptional . Though they are not as widely distributed in the state , Golden Eagles lay out one of the most awe - inspiring birds of prey in North America .
Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)
The Steller ’s Sea Eagle is an enormous and exceptionally rarefied visitant to Texas , with only one confirm sighting in the state in 2022 . Native to northeastern Asia — particularly the Russian Far East and region of Japan — this specie is not native to North America . However , one individual became a sensation in the birdwatch world after appearing in various parts of the U.S. , including Texas . This eagle is even large than the Bald Eagle , with a wingspan up to 2.5 meters and an unmistakable appearance feature a massive yellow bill , lily-white berm , snowy tail , and blackish - brown body .
Because it is a vagabond , the Steller ’s Sea Eagle does not have an established habitat in Texas . In its aboriginal range , it typically populate coastal drop-off , river valleys , and areas with abundant Pisces such as Salmon River . It feeds primarily on fish and waterfowl and often perch in trees near riverbank or rocky shore . The eagle spotted in Texas likely followed a highly unusual and accidental migration route , vagabond thousands of miles from its rude range .
A fascinating and almost mythical mien , the Steller ’s Sea Eagle captivated birder across the continent . It was often consult to as the “ lost eagle ” and drew thousands of people to wherever it appeared . Its abbreviated and rarified sojourn to Texas underline both the unpredictability of bird migration and the wonder of avian wildlife . Though it may never return , the lone Steller ’s Sea Eagle sighting stay one of the most exciting and talk - about bird events in recent Texas chronicle .
Eagle Identification Tips
Size and Shape
When trying to differentiate between Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles in the field , size of it and physique can bid helpful clues — but it ’s not always easy . Both species are among the declamatory birds of quarry in North America and can appear very alike in silhouette . However , Golden Eagles tend to have slimly longer tails and more slender bodies compare to the stockier Bald Eagles . Their wings are also narrow and taper more gracefully toward the crest , whereas Bald Eagles have wide wings with a more rectangular soma in flight . If you ’re observing from a length , Golden Eagles may appear sleeker , especially when soar up over open landscape .
Plumage
Plumage is one of the most reliable ways to identify these raptors — specially for adult birds . Mature Bald Eagles are iconic , sporting a bright ashen school principal and tail , countervail by a coffee - dark-brown torso and wings . Their big , brightyellow beaksand matching talon are evident . In contrast , Golden Eagles have sinister browned plumage across their entire bodies , with a fertile golden hue on the back of the chief and neck opening that shimmer in the sunlight — hence the name . Juveniles of both species , however , are trickier . Young Bald Eagles are mostly brown with blotchy bloodless mark under the wings and on the belly , while juvenile Golden Eagles exhibit clean white speckle at the alkali of the tail and under the offstage , which fade as they mature .
Flight Patterns
Flight behavior is another key discriminator between these eagle species . Bald Eagles typically zoom with their wings held flat , like unsubtle , horizontal board . This posture give them a commanding and stable appearance when gliding across water body or overt landscapes . Golden Eagles , on the other hand , often fly with their wings in a slight upward “ V ” or dihedral position . They also incline to be more gymnastic in flight , frequently engaging in dive , swoop , and rolls , especially during hunting or wooing display . Observing the slant and motility of the annex can help distinguish these majestic raspberry even at great distances .
Habitat
empathize preferred habitats can significantly improve your chance of correctly identifying eagle in Texas . Bald Eagles are strongly associated with urine , especially bombastic lakes , river , and coastal area . They trust on aquatic ecosystems for their primary intellectual nourishment rootage — Pisces — and typically nest in improbable trees near these pee bodies . In line , Golden Eagles favour astray - open spaces such as grasslands , desert , and craggy terrain , specially in westerly Texas . These birds require vast search grounds and are more likely to be spotted in outside or tough landscapes far from human resolution . If you ’re in the Texas Hill Country or the Trans - Pecos region , you ’re in better Golden Eagle territory , while east Texas lake are a fastness for Bald Eagles .
Conclusion
Texas offers unique opportunity to respect these glorious eagle in their natural habitats . From the far-flung Bald Eagle to the elusive Golden Eagle and the rarified Steller ’s Sea Eagle , each species adds to the plenteous avian diversity of the state . Bird partisan are encourage to research Texas ’s varied landscape painting to witness these raptors firsthand .
