These are perhaps the most recognizable birds in the U.S. Their white crowns, dark brown bodies, and yellow beaks and talons have been a symbol of America for centuries.

Bald eagles are well-adapted to the warmth of Arizona, and its proximity to the Mexican border if it needs to avoid the cold. Bald eagles like mountain nests like golden eagles for the same reason, but they are more likely to build at the top of high trees. 

Their unmistakable nests are as large as any flying bird, often several times larger than the eagle itself. 

These raptors often overwinter in the relatively temperate cold seasons of Arizona, tightening their nests for new birds in the spring, when they begin their most active seasons in terms of daily movement.

Look for bald eagles near bodies of water like rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams, which attract their favorite prey, specifically in mountainous areas that are ideal for their lookouts. 

They are not particular about the trees they use, but Arizona’s cottonwoods and pines are usually a good place to start. 

The scarcity of eagles in the state has more to do with their scarcity anywhere in North America. Fortunately, local and federal efforts to protect eagles–bald eagles in particular–have led to a public agreement that these birds should be preserved.

This has led to a stabilization of both populations, and a hopeful outlook for birdwatchers wanting to spot eagles in the future.