Bald Eagles & The Colorado River: Why January Is Prime Time

Why does January turn the Colorado River into bald eagle territory? Consider how many mountain lakes and reservoirs usually freeze over in January, one thing Colorado’s bald eagles know is that the major rivers will not freeze, especially on the Western Slope.

Sections of the Colorado River between Glenwood Springs and Fruita become one of the most reliable places for eagles to find fish and waterfowl during the winter, and it is much easier for them to find it perched high up on canyon walls or in leafless cottonwood trees.

Why January Is Peak Season for Bald Eagle Sightings?

Read More: Where to Find the Best Winter Birdwatching in Western Colorado

Colorado’s bald eagles know there is no reason to fly all over the place looking for food during the winter months. According to allaboutbirds.com, they prefer the shorter trip and steady feed provided by the major rivers of the Western Slope. Once winter settles in, they can be easy to spot high up in the leafless cottonwood trees along the river, where CPW says they can perch longer to conserve energy and start early courtship.

Why Bald Eagles and the Colorado River Are a Perfect Winter Match

Colorado’s bald eagles know there is no reason to fly all over the place looking for food during the winter months. According to allaboutbirds.com, they prefer the shorter trip and steady feed provided by the major rivers of the Western Slope. Once winter settles in, they can be easy to spot high up in the leafless cottonwood trees along the river, where CPW says they can perch longer to conserve energy and start early courtship.

Best Places Along the Colorado River to See Bald Eagles in January

Colorado River Through Glenwood Canyon (Garfield County)

• The U.S. Forest Service says eagles love Glenwood Canyon because the steep canyon walls naturally guide their flight paths along the river corridor.
• USGS says the calm river eddies in the canyons make for ideal fishing zones during the winter months.
• Glenwood’s high canyon walls give the eagles the protection they need while they take advantage of the wide canyon views over the Colorado River.

Colorado River Corridor Near Rifle and Silt (Garfield County)

• As the Colorado twists and turns through Garfield County, it creeps widely around large cottonwood trees that offer an ideal space for winter roosting.
• CPW says several quiet stretches of less-developed river habitat are found between Silt and Rifle. It’s just the kind of place wintering eagles are looking for.
• The eagles share this space with lots of different types of birds, making Garfield County a great place to birdwatch.

Palisade to Fruita River Corridor (Mesa County)

• Visit Grand Junction says the river corridor through Mesa County features several agricultural landscapes that wintering waterfowl love. The eagles just sit back and wait for a key food source.
• CPW says the waters of the Gunnison and the Colorado Rivers both benefit from slower river sections and irrigation return, which helps keep fish active even in cold weather. This means even more food for the eagles.
• Look for eagles in the cottonwoods early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

Read More: Best Places To Watch Winter Wildlife in Western Colorado

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