By Avian Feathers Team
Published July 2025
Oregon’s wild landscapes—rivers, forests, and mountain ranges—are home to some of the most powerful birds of prey in North America. If you’re lucky, you might spot one of these majestic eagles soaring high above or perched near a quiet waterway.
1. Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is Oregon’s most iconic raptor. With its bright white head and tail, huge wingspan, and strong yellow beak, it’s easy to recognize. These birds often stay close to lakes, rivers, and estuaries, where they can hunt for fish and scavenge for food. They build enormous nests in tall trees, often reusing them year after year.
Size
Length: 28–40 in (71–102 cm)
Wingspan: 71–91 in (1.8–2.3 m)
Weight: 6.5–14 lbs (3–6.3 kg)
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
2. Golden Eagle
Golden Eagles are mostly seen in the eastern and central parts of Oregon. These birds are all brown with golden feathers on the back of their necks. They prefer open country like grasslands, canyons, and cliffs. Unlike Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles usually hunt live prey like rabbits, ground squirrels, and even small deer.
Size
Length: 26–40 in (66–102 cm)
Wingspan: 71–92 in (1.8–2.3 m)
Weight: 6–15 lbs (2.7–6.8 kg)
Scientific Name: Aquila chrysaetos
3. White-tailed Eagle
This eagle is not native to North America but has been spotted in Oregon on very rare occasions. It looks similar to a Bald Eagle but has a pale head and tail with duller coloring overall. If one shows up, it’s a major event for birdwatchers. These eagles normally live in Europe and Asia.
Size
Length: 27–37 in (69–94 cm)
Wingspan: 79–96 in (2–2.45 m)
Weight: 7.9–15.4 lbs (3.6–7 kg)
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus albicilla
Oregon’s diverse and rugged landscapes provide an ideal environment for observing some of North America’s most impressive raptors. While the majestic Bald Eagle is a common and celebrated sight along the state’s waterways, the powerful Golden Eagle reigns supreme in the open expanses of eastern Oregon. The extremely rare, yet occasional, appearance of a White-tailed Eagle further adds to the state’s allure for dedicated birders, highlighting the unpredictable wonders of avian migration. These three magnificent eagle species collectively showcase Oregon’s rich biodiversity and offer awe-inspiring moments for anyone looking to the skies.
Where to Spot Eagles in Oregon
Oregon’s varied habitats offer distinct opportunities to spot these powerful eagles:
Bald Eagle: Oregon’s most iconic eagle is widely distributed, especially near lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coastal areas where fish are abundant. Look for them along the Willamette River, Columbia River, coastal bays (like Tillamook Bay and Coos Bay), and large freshwater bodies such as Upper Klamath Lake. During winter, concentrations can be high in areas with salmon runs.
Golden Eagle: These raptors primarily inhabit the open country of eastern and central Oregon. Look for them soaring over grasslands, high deserts, canyons, and mountainous areas like the Steens Mountain Wilderness, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and areas of the Columbia River Gorge east of the Cascades. They often perch on cliffs or isolated trees.
White-tailed Eagle: This species is not native to North America and is an extremely rare vagrant. Any sighting in Oregon would be highly exceptional and typically reported by dedicated birders through alert systems. If one were to appear, it would likely be near large bodies of water or coastal areas, similar to Bald Eagle habitats, but its presence is unpredictable.
Keep your eyes to the sky, you never know when one of these majestic eagles might glide into view.