 |
|
 |
|
NAME
Golden
Eagles get their name from their goldenish feathers on
the backs of their neck. Their scientific name, Aquila
chrysaetos (AK-qui-lah kris-AY-ee-tos), is from the
Latin word "aquila" meaning eagle, and from
the Greek words "chrysos" meaning golden and
"aetos" meaning eagle.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
FLIGHT
Golden
Eagles are masters at soaring. With their large wingspread
-- 6.5 to7.5 feet, these birds can soar for long periods
of time with little wing flapping. They may catch thermals,
rising masses of warm air, to carry them in a spiral fashion
upward high into the sky. If the bird spots prey while
soaring, it can tuck its wings and swoop at speeds up
to 200 mph. If you are close enough, the bird may sound
like a low-flying, small airplane. The birds may also
hunt from a favorite perch.
|
|
|
DESCRIPTION
Adult
Golden Eagles are nearly alike except the female is
larger than the male. Their plumage is dark brown overall,
with some white at the base of the tail and golden-to-blond
feathers on the back of the head (the nape). Bill and
talons are black; cere (soft membrane that covers the
nostrils) and feet are yellow. Immature birds have a
broad, white tail band with a black edge, and large
white patches on the undersides of the wings at the
base of the primary feathers. Sometimes a white line
extends from this large patch toward the body. In their
second year, this white patch becomes smaller. Adults
weigh 9 to12.5 pounds.
DISTRIBUTION
AND HABITAT
The
golden eagle is distributed worldwide throughout the
Northern Hemisphere. Golden eagles are typically associated
with the plains of the western United States, and are
fairly common in our western states, Alaska and western
Canada. Never abundant in the eastern U. S., this species
is now virtually extirpated as a breeding bird east
of the Mississippi River. Golden eagles once nested
at no more than a dozen or so sites in the Adirondacks
of New York, in Maine and in New Hampshire. They are
believed to still nest in some numbers in eastern Canada,
as evidenced by hundreds of golden eagles appearing
during the fall and spring migrations in the eastern
U. S. Preferred habitats include generally open areas:
tundra, grasslands and deserts. The golden eagle feeds
primarily on live mammals such as ground squirrels and
marmots, found in their preferred upland habitats. In
winter they will feed on carrion and waterfowl in the
east, often associated with wintering bald eagles.
|
|
LIFE
HISTORY
The
golden eagle is long-lived, with a life span in
the wild believed to be 30 years or more. It is
also believed a pair mates for
life and defends a selected territory against other
golden eagles. Both the male and female participate
in nest building, occasionally in a tree but more
often on a cliff ledge, commonly with the protection
of an overhanging tree or rock. The
nest is made of large sticks and often contains
aromatic leaves which may serve to deter insects.
Since the same nest may be used and added to (decorated)
year after year, they sometimes get quite large.
The
single clutch consists of 1-2 (rarely 3) eggs which
hatch after an incubation period of 35-45 days.
Eaglets fledge in 65-75 days. The male provides
some help with incubation, but is the major food
provider during incubation and chick rearing. Young
reach sexual maturity and obtain adult coloration
at about 5 years of age.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
DIET
Golden Eagles
use their tremendous eyesight to locate prey. They prefer
to attack upwind, to increase their aerodynamic control
and maneuverability. The birds prey upon a variety
of creatures from prairie dogs, cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits
and ground squirrels to grouse, ducks, chukars, reptiles
and smaller birds. One study that reviewed the list of
Golden Eagle prey items in North America found the birds
preyed upon (depending upon their location) 52 species
of mammals, 48 birds, 5 reptiles and 2 fish. The birds
will also feed on carrion, which sometimes results in
death from vehicle collisions or poisoning.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
REPRODUCTION
Eggs are laid
between February and May (or May to June in the Arctic)
commonly two per nest, although up to four eggs could
be laid in one clutch. Incubation time is 43 to 45 days.
Usually, the female does most of the incubating. Occasionally,
depending upon food resources, the older, stronger eaglet
may kill its smaller nest mate (siblicide).
The
young will fledge when 72 to 84 days old, and depend upon
their parents for another 3 months. Then the young will
either migrate or move out of the parents' territory but
overwinter in their natal area.In winter, large groups
of Golden Eagles may be observed together.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
INTERESTING
FACTS
Golden Eagles
defend large breeding area home ranges. Though their territories
may be larger, they can not defend the entire area continuously.
Often, when an intruder enters an eagle's home range,
the bird will fly in a "roller coaster" flight,
by soaring upward to a point, then tucking its wings to
descend. This pattern can be repeated in a series; the
undulating flight is truly inspiring to watch.
|
|
| |
Click on the crayons to color a picture of
the Golden Eagle! |
| |
 |
| |
|
