Bald Eagle spotted in Birmingham for first time since 2024

A Bald Eagle was seen last week in the Birmingham Roebuck Springs neighborhood. According to EBird, the last reported sighting in The Magic City was in January 2024.

Discovered by local naturalist Van Coffey, our national symbol was identified traveling down Valley Drive in Roebuck Springs.

“It was in full flight with several crows harassing it.I stopped in the road and so did the car behind me. Luckily it landed in a tree behind us. I tried capturing it with my phone but the pictures weren’t up to snuff. Then I remembered I actually had my good camera with a zoom lens in the car with me so I ran back down the road to get it.”

Van Coffey wrote to Bham Now via Facebook

Bald Eagles have been seen around the Birmingham metro area for years. Eagles do nest at Lake Purdy (which is partially in the Bham city limits) and other North Shelby County sites.

An Alabama natural history success story, Bald Eagles disappeared from our landscape up until the 1980s, when an effort was made to bring them back. 

Today, they are seen in every county in the state.

“It’s nice to have you in Birmingham, Haliaeetus leucocephalus.  Hope you stick around!”

Scot Duncan, Executive Director, Alabama Audubon

Have you seen a Bald Eagle within the city limits of Birmingham? Tell us your favorite story about our national symbol; in the comment section at @bhamnow