New Jersey Bald Eagle Alert: Why the State’s Iconic Bird Population Just Took a Rare Hit
photo of a Bald Eagle spotted in Paramus
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, AAfter decades of a “miracle recovery,” New Jersey’s bald eagles are facing a new, invisible threat.
According to the newly released 2025 New Jersey Bald Eagle Project Report by the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, the state has seen a slight decline in active nests for the first time in years. While the species was successfully removed from the state’s endangered species list just last year, experts are now pointing to Avian Flu (HPAI) as the likely culprit behind this recent dip.
The 2025 Report: By the Numbers
Despite the decline, the data shows that New Jersey remains a stronghold for these majestic raptors, though the “bird flu” has left a mark:
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251 Active Nests: A 5% decrease from the record-breaking 264 nests documented in 2024.
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50% Mortality Rate: Out of 56 bald eagle deaths tested last year, a staggering 28 were confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
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271 Offspring: While lower than previous years, the state still produced over 270 new chicks, keeping the population above the critical maintenance threshold.
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29% Nest Failure Rate: Higher than the 10-year average of 20%, largely due to the seasonal outbreaks of HPAI among waterfowl.
The Predator’s Dilemma: How Avian Flu Spreads
Bald eagles are top-tier predators and scavengers. Their susceptibility to HPAI comes from their diet. During the winter of 2024-2025, large numbers of sick Canada and Snow geese congregated on New Jersey’s reservoirs and rivers. When eagles prey on these infected birds, the virus transmits quickly, often with fatal results.
“This slight decline reminds us that we must remain steadfast,” says Acting DEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “The recovery of the bald eagle is a testament to what we can achieve, but we cannot ignore new environmental threats.”
From One Nest to Hundreds: A History of Resilience
To understand why this 5% dip matters, you have to look at where New Jersey started. In the early 1980s, the entire state had only one remaining bald eagle nest in Cumberland County, a victim of the insecticide DDT.
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1972: DDT is banned federally.
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2012: NJ surpasses 100 active nests.
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2024: NJ hits a record 264 active nests.
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2025: Bald eagles officially moved from “Endangered” to “Species of Special Concern.”
How You Can Help Protect NJ Eagles
The NJDEP is calling on “citizen scientists” and residents to be the eyes and ears on the ground.
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Give Space: Human disturbance is still a major cause of nest failure. Stay at least 1,000 feet away from nesting sites.
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Report Threats: If you see habitat destruction or people disturbing a nest, call the DEP at 877-WARNDEP.
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Keep Informed: While conservationists cannot stop a virus in the wild, public awareness helps reduce human-related stressors (like vehicle strikes and lead poisoning) that make eagles more vulnerable.
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Tags: #NewJersey #BaldEagles #WildlifeConservation #NJDEP #BirdFlu #Environment #NatureNews #Raptors
