Bald Eagles in South Carolina

Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are protected under the Bald Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d) as of June 8, 1940, as amended on October 23, 1972 and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 U.S.C. 703-712). Bald eagles below the 40th parallel were listed as endangered on March 11, 1967 and subsequently received protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.1531-1543). On February 14, 1978, listing status was changed to endangered throughout the conterminous United States except for Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, where the bald eagle was designated as threatened. Bald eagles were reclassified as threatened in all lower 48 states on July 12, 1995 (50CGR Part17) and are currently being considered for delisting. The bald eagle continues to receive protection under the South Carolina Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act and is considered an imperiled species.

These acts make it illegal to kill or harass eagles or to destroy their nests. It is also illegal to possess, dead or alive, any eagle or part of any eagle such as feathers or talons. If you know of any violation, report it immediately to any state or federal wildlife officer or call the hotline at 1-800-922-5431.