Bird of the Month: Golden Eagle
Written by Andy McCormick
Andy McCormick, Volunteer and Former Board President of Eastside Audubon
“This magnificent eagle has long been named the King of Birds, and it well deserves the title. It is majestic in flight, regal in appearance, dignified in manner, and crowned with a shower of golden hackles about it royal head.” – Arthur Cleveland Bent
The overall dark brown plumage of the Golden Eagle is accented by golden feathers on the crown and nape. Juvenile birds will also have golden feathers on the head but will have white at the base of the tail and variable -sized white patches in the wings. Golden Eagles fly with straight wings in steady flight and at times will fly with and imitate Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) by flying with their wings in a dihedral (v-shape). However, they are capable of powerful flight as they accelerate into attack mode on a rabbit, ground squirrel, or similar prey. Photos, videos, and vocalizations of Golden Eagles can be found at The Macaulay Library.
Golden eagle
Scientific Name: Aquila chrysaetos
Length: 30”
Wingspan: 79”
Weight: 10 lb (4,575 g)
AOU Alpha Code: GOEA
MAJESTIC PREDATOR
“When falconry flourished in Europe the Golden Eagle was flown only by kings. Its hunting is like that of the noble falcons, clean, spirited, and dashing” (Bent). The Golden Eagle is a preeminent predator that hunts from the skies. When it sees prey it flies to it and pounces, grabbing and killing with its talons. It feeds on rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, grouse, and has been known to seize a crane. It is capable of killing young pronghorns and deer, and at times, domestic livestock (Kaufman). The Golden Eagle is a very different animal than the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), which hunts for fish and small game, is kleptoparsistic in its hunting, stealing from other birds, and scavenging leftovers and carrion.
The Golden Eagle has been revered by warriors of nations as diverse as Egypt, ancient Rome, Germany, and Mexico many of which considered it to be Master of the Skies. Members of many Native American tribes praise the Golden Eagle for its strength and courage and use feathers from both Golden and Bald Eagles in their dancing regalia. The Golden Eagle is in the genus Aquila from the Latin for eagle. The species epithet chrysaetos meaning golden eagle is from the Greek khrusos, golden, and aetos, an eagle (Holloway).
DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT
The Golden Eagle is one of the world’s largest predatory birds and populates a huge worldwide range across North America, Europe, Asia, and south into parts of Africa. Golden Eagles in the northern latitudes of North America usually withdraw south in winter. One indicator of its absence during Alaskan winters is the rarity with which it is counted on Christmas Bird Counts in that state (Katzner et al). Most Golden Eagles in temperate regions remain as resident species in winter as long as prey is available. In Washington, the Golden Eagle soars high over grasslands and open areas east of the Cascade Range and in the San Juan Islands. All in all, this is an eagle of wild country, and it is most common in areas where there are fewer humans.
Golden Eagles typically nest on cliffs but will also build a nest in a large tree. Both parents build the bulky compendium of sticks and line it with grass and moss. Usually, 1-3 eggs are deposited which the pair incubates for six weeks. During this period the male does most of the hunting. First flight for the young occurs in the range of 60-70 days from hatching (Kaufman).
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
Golden Eagles were hunted extensively during a period when settlers move west resulting in the species’ extirpation from parts of North America. In response to the drop in population protection measures were put in place. The Eagle Act, originally passed in 1940 to protect the Bald Eagle, was expanded in 1962 to include the Golden Eagle. The law is now called the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The current population of Golden Eagles is considered stable.
Continued protection of these great birds is warranted, however, because their reproduction is considered slow by ecologists. Most Golden Eagles do not begin breeding until the summer of their fifth year when they also adopt adult plumage. Successful breeding of these birds is weighted toward developing quality offspring rather than quantities of them. Success in this process requires a stable environment with a ready supply of obtainable prey. Research indicates that broods tend to be small and most nests in some regions produce only one fledgling. Thus, it can take many years to replenish losses among Golden Eagles.
Header photo credit: David Baxendale | Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0
Body photo credit: Ignacio Ferre Pérez | Flickr | CC
References available upon request from amccormick@eastsideaudubon.org.