Brackendale in Squamish is home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the world.

In 1994 the record was set for the highest concentration of bald eagles ever counted gathered here – over 3700.

Starting in mid November and continuing through February these magnificent birds feed on the salmon that spawn in the glacial fed Squamish and Cheakamus rivers.

• Height– Adult eagles can reach up to 100 cm or 3.3 feet tall
• Weight– Adults can weigh 3- 6 kg or 6.6- 13 lb
• Female eagles are larger than males
• Diet-They eat fish & small mammals, consuming up to 1/10th of their body weight per day
• Bones– eagle bones are hollow and half the weight of the feathers
• Feathers– Over 7000 feathers are lightweight & waterproof, regulating their core temp
• Eyesight-They have monocular & binocular color vision, Their eyesight is 4 times humans.
• Life Cycle– They live up to 20- 30 years in the wild. Mating pairs bond for life.
• Eaglets -Eagles have 1-3 eggs per nest. Eaglets leave the nest at 10-12 weeks.

The Best Squamish Eagle Watching Spots

The best places for Squamish eagle viewing are along the many rivers of the Squamish Valley. The Squamish eagles can be  can be spotted along the Squamish River, and between the Cheakamus and Mamquam rivers. The dyke in Brackendale is a great place to view the eagles while maintaining eagle viewing ethics.

Eagle Watching Ethics:

• Please give eagles space
• Use binoculars or a zoom lense to get a closer look
• Stay on dikes and public property
• Stay off gravel bars and private land
• Keep your dogs on a leash