Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
The bald eagle is listed as a threatened species under the US Federal ESA, but is being considered for de-listing (see the US Fish and Wildlife Service Bald Eagle Species Profile). Washington state also has listed the bald eagle as threatened, but has recommended down-listing the species to sensitive (see the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Bald Eagle Status Report). Although the number of nesting pairs of bald eagles is increasing within the inland waters area, there is almost no late, seral forest remaining and eagles nest in small patches of residual large trees and second growth. As more and more shoreline is dedicated to residential development, large trees along the shoreline used by eagles for nesting are a diminishing resource. For this reason, Washington state has recommended down-listing the bald eagle to a sensitive species, but not de-listing the species.