Observed: Adults take fish from rivers and scavenge when available; wing-spread soaring is common along valley thermals.
Montana occurrence
Seasonality
Present year-round. Nesting peaks spring through early summer; post-breeding and winter concentrations form along productive rivers and open water.
Broad range
Major rivers, lakes, and reservoirs statewide. Public maps generalize to river corridors and watersheds — never exact nests or roosts.
Habitats
- Large rivers
- Lakes and reservoirs
- Riparian cottonwoods
- Open winter water
Counties & coverage
Strongest public signals along major river systems. Sensitive nest and roost points are never shown publicly.
Behavior and field notes
Observed: Post-breeding birds often appear along rivers away from known nest territories.
Interpretation: Corridor activity in mid-to-late summer is expected and does not, by itself, indicate nest disturbance.
Observed: Winter concentrations form where water stays open and prey is reliable.
Record a Bald Eagle sighting
Submit an observation with privacy controls. Exact nest locations are protected. You receive a permanent observation ID and can track review status.
Exact nest, roost, and den coordinates are never published. Public geometry is generalized server-side.
Photography
Prints and licensing
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