Bald Eagle

A Winter Visitor

Bald eagles aren't year-round residents of Zion - they arrive in late fall from breeding grounds as far north as Canada and Alaska, and spend the colder months hunting the open water and waterfowl of the Virgin River corridor. Most sightings fall between November and February.

Where They Perch

Look high in the bare cottonwoods along the canyon floor. A perched adult's brilliant white head and tail and heavy yellow bill stand out sharply against winter branches, and they'll often sit for long stretches scanning the river below before dropping to fish.

Zion as an Important Bird Area

Zion is a designated Important Bird Area, and its riparian corridor - the ribbon of green along the Virgin River - is exactly the kind of wintering habitat eagles seek out. The same cottonwood galleries that shade summer hikers become prime eagle real estate once the leaves drop.