The preserve is home to the world's largest concentration of bald eagles. 200 to 400 birds live there year-round, with up to 4,000 observed during the annual Fall Congregation.
Bugliosi, Edward F. (1988). Hydrologic reconnaissance of the Chilkat River basin, southeast Alaska: with special reference to the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve [U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 88-4023]. Anchorage: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.