The answer is, they don't! Golden eagle nests, while large, are generally smaller and flatter than bald eagle nests. A bald eagle wanted to be noticed in the most Arizona way. When do eagles build the nest? For the first time ever documented, a bald eagle nest was found in a saguaro cactus, according to Arizona Game and Fish. Eagles may also build/use nests in snags (dead trees), transmission lines and communication towers. Could a Bald Eagle nest this size fit in your classroom? Bald Eagle Nest Identification Guide observations to help contribute to continued eagle success in Maine. The nest may be a cylindrical or cone-shaped. They can also be built on other trees such as aspen spruces, firs, oaks, or hickories. They also tend to build their nests away from humans, although some birds are becoming more tolerant of human activity. The size of a nest tree varies but the height of a tree lies somewhere between 20 and 60 meters and its diameter is from 50 to 190 centimeters. Photo by Jerry Barrack. Eagle nests in the Midwest are usually built in mature trees, such as white pine or cottonwood trees. Bald Eagle Comparison with Other Species Since eagles and ospreys can use each others’ nests and build nests of comparable size, it is often useful to observe the active nest … Also: Visit an Eagle Nest With Peter Nye >> How can a pair of Bald Eagles possibly build that huge nest and still have time to lay eggs, incubate them, and raise the babies in a single breeding season? Bald Eagle Nests . The largest recorded bald eagle nest, located in St. Petersburg, Florida, was 9.5 feet in diameter, 20 feet deep and weighed almost 3 tons. Bald eagles build one of the world’s largest nests among birds. Visit the National Eagle Center to see our life-size replica bald eagle nest – climb in and see just how big it is! Normally the diameter of a nest is 1.5 to 1.8 meters and its height is 0.7 to 1.2 meters. This Bald Eagle nest (middle of photo in background) is in a condominium community on Florida.