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Bald eagles were removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species on August 9, 2007, and are no longer protected under the Endangered Species Act.  However, bald eagles remain protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. 

The Bald and Golden Eagle Act prohibits anyone from taking, possessing, or transporting a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) or golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), or the parts, nests, or eggs of such birds without prior authorization. This includes inactive nests as well as active nests.  Take means to pursue, shoot, shoot at, poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, collect, destroy, molest, or disturb.  Activities that directly or indirectly lead to take are prohibited without a permit. 

There are a number of different types of permits available for authorizing take, possession, and transport of bald and golden eagles. This website explains the most commonly used authorizations (permits) that are available for people whose activities may “take” eagles or their nests.

Do You Need a Permit?

To determine whether you need and are eligible for an eagle take permit, read the questions below and follow the links accordingly. Below and subsequent pages will ask you a series of questions and direct you to the appropriate information.

To view the official regulations governing Eagle Permits, see Code of the Federal Register: 50 Part 22.

Are you concerned about the presence of an eagle nest where the nest itself may pose safety issues or conflict with other uses? This includes inactive nests as well as active nests.

 

If so, please continue here for further assistance.

 

Does your activity involve:

 

- transporting eagles or eagle parts;

- exhibiting eagles or eagle parts;

- collecting eagle parts for a scientific study;

- obtaining eagle parts or feathers for Native American religious purposes;

- keeping live bald or golden eagles to use their feathers for religious purposes;

- controlling eagle depredation; or

- golden eagle falconry? 

 

   If so, please continue here for further assistance.

 

Is your activity or project near an eagle nest (whether active or inactive) or near an area where eagles roost or forage, and does not meet any of the categories above?

 

If so, please continue here for further assistance to help you determine if your proposed activity or project may non-purposefully take eagles.

 

Do you plan to capture and band bald eagles or golden eagles?

 

If you are interested in capturing and banding bald or golden eagles, please contact the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory.

 

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