Which State Has More Bald Eagles, Florida or Minnesota?

Quick Take

• Counting nesting pairs and counting total eagles tell very different stories. The gap between those two numbers is what makes this comparison surprising. See the population numbers →
• One of these states hosts thousands of bald eagles thriving in suburban neighborhoods, and the answer will probably surprise you. Explore suburban eagle life →
• Bald eagles don't just hunt. They pirate, and Florida's ecosystem gives them a very specific target to steal from. Discover Florida's prey dynamics →
• Being removed from the endangered species list did not end the legal protections for bald eagles. Find out what still shields them today. Check current legal protections →

Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). are massive birds of prey that are between 28 and 40 inches tall, with wingspans of up to eight feet. They are easily recognized by their brown bodies and wings, which contrast with their snowy white heads and tails. The bald eagle is only found in North America, with a range spanning from Alaska and Canada, throughout the contiguous United States, and into Northern Mexico. Although Alaska has more bald eagles than any other U.S. state, the two contiguous U.S. states with the highest number of bald eagles are Florida and Minnesota. Continue reading to learn which state is home to the most bald eagles.

How Many Bald Eagles are There in Florida?

Florida has one of the most significant populations of nesting bald eagles in the lower 48 U.S. states, consisting of approximately 1,600 nesting pairs as of 2026. Bald eagles typically nest near rivers, lakes, and coastal systems in the Sunshine State. Nesting bald eagles in Florida have been closely monitored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission since 1972. In 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the USFWS endangered species list. Then, in 2008, these eagles were removed from the FWC imperiled species list. Although their numbers are stabilizing, bald eagles are still protected under the State Bald Eagle Rule, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

How Many Bald Eagles are There in Minnesota?

Outside of Alaska, Minnesota has the largest concentration of bald eagles, with over 1,000 nesting pairs and an estimated 9,800 individual bald eagles as of 2026. These eagles have adapted well to suburban environments in Minnesota, often inhabiting areas around popular lakes.

What Attracts Bald Eagles to Florida?

Florida offers plenty of open water and tall trees, providing the perfect habitat for bald eagles. The large trees provide places for the birds to perch and build nests, while the open water provides ample fish, which are these eagles’ preferred prey. However, they also eat amphibians, small mammals, carrion, and reptiles. These birds of prey can survive for days, and sometimes even weeks, without food. Therefore, they gorge on food and digest it over a few days.

Eagles like to nest in tall trees, and Florida has an abundance of tall pines, which provide aerial views of the surrounding landscape. While bald eagles are excellent hunters, they won’t turn up their beaks at other animals’ kills. They will also harass other bird species after those birds catch their prey. Bald eagles will knock an osprey’s prey out of its clutches and catch it themselves while still in mid-air.

What Attracts Bald Eagles to Minnesota?

Bald eagles flock to Minnesota because of the state’s vast water resources. More water equals more fish, making it the perfect location for nesting. Bald eagles thrive across Minnesota, where they nest in tall, mature trees near water, which is abundant in the land of 10,000 lakes. The state’s numerous lakes and rivers provide an ideal habitat for hunting. While some bald eagles migrate from Minnesota to more southern areas for the winter, many stay, and the population often increases from December to March as eagles from farther north arrive.