Eagles are opportunistic scavengers. They typically eat fish, squirrels, wading birds, ducks and road-killed animals. May. Most eagles nest in a live pine or cypress tree and often reuse the same nest year after year. Egg laying generally occurs in late November but can occur into February if the first nesting attempts are unsuccessful. An eagle lays 2-4 eggs a season.
Mature eagles return to the area of their original nests to breed.
Historically bald eagles have been on the endangered species list because of a declining population due to pesticides, shootings, collisions with cars and power lines and a loss of nesting habitat. In 1994 the bald eagle was moved to the threatened species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service due to a resurgence of nesting eagles throughout the United States. In Florida the species has always been considered a threatened species. Currently, eagles and their habitat continue to be protected by state and federal laws. They are being considered for delisting under the Endangered Species Act, possibly during 2001 once habitat management concerns are addressed.