COLUMBUS, Ohio — The bald eagle is thriving in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, with a current total of 841 active nests.

What You Need To Know

  • The bald eagle is thriving in Ohio with a current total of 841 active nests

  • That is down from 910 nests last year, but a press release from the ODNR says they are a resilient and thriving population

  • They cite an 82% nest success rate

  • In 1979, there were only four pairs of bald eagles in Ohio

That is down from 910 nests last year, but a press release from the ODNR says they are a resilient and thriving population. They cite an 82% nest success rate, as opposed to 48% in 2022 and 73% in 2023. A nest success rate refers to the number of nests with eggs in them, or baby eagle, called eaglets.

“The Division of Wildlife’s 2024 bald eagle nesting survey consisted of flying five blocks, each roughly 10 square miles, to search for eagle nests in woodlots and along rivers,” the release reads. “Two of the blocks, one near Sandusky on Lake Erie and the other over Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area in northeast Ohio, are flown every year. The other three blocks are rotated each year. In 2024, the rotating blocks were located along the Maumee River (Defiance/Henry counties), around Grand Lake St. Marys (Mercer/Auglaize counties), and around Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area (Wayne County).”

ODNR states that these eagles live best in places that have access to clean water and fish. That’s why Lake Erie and other larger bodies of water are home to many of the creatures.

In 1979, there were only four pairs of bald eagles in Ohio. The creature was removed from the threatened and endangered species list federally in 2007 and in Ohio in 2012.

The work to preserve these birds in Ohio is funded through various means from the sale of conservation license plates, “income tax check-off donations to the Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Fund,” and even Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp sales.

“Bald eagles are protected under state law and the federal ‘Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act,’ making it illegal to disturb these raptors,” the release reads. “When viewing these majestic birds, remember to respect the bird’s space and stay at least 100 yards away. Disturbing bald eagles at the nest site could lead the pair to abandon the eggs.”

If you see a bald eagle nest, you can report it at wildohio.gov or via the HuntFish OH mobile app.

Related Stories