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Wildlife
- Birds - |
Golden Eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos) Y |
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RANGE: Breeds from northern and western Alaska east to Labrador,
south to southern Alaska, Baja California, western and central
Texas, western Oklahoma, and western Kansas; in eastern North
America to New York and New England. Winters from south-central
Alaska and the southern portions of the Canadian provinces south
throughout the breeding range, rarely to coastal South Carolina.
STATUS: Fairly common in the West, rare in the East.
HABITAT: Inhabits open country, from barren areas to open
coniferous forests, primarily in hilly and mountainous regions,
but also in rugged deserts, on the plains, and in tundra.
Prefers large trees with large horizontal branches and cliffs
for roosting and perching. In the West, often moves down from
the mountains onto the plains and valleys for winter.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Elevated nest sites, especially
cliffs, that are isolated from human disturbance and are close
to hunting (stet) areas. Strongest nesting habitat
association along cliffs surrounded by open forest, shrubland or
grassland.
NEST: Usually nests on cliff ledges, preferably overlooking
grasslands, but also nests in trees or on the ground. In the
western mountains, nests at elevations of 4,000 to 10,000 feet
above sea level. May use the same nest year after year, or pairs
may use alternate nests in successive years.
FOOD: An opportunist; hunts for a variety of prey by soaring
over open country or by sighting prey from perch. Feeds
primarily on mammals (mainly lagomorphs), but also marmots,
prairie dogs, ground squirrels, weasels, woodrats, skunks, and
mice, rarely on larger mammals. Also eats grouse, pheasants,
owls, hawks, rock doves, magpies, and other birds, as well as
rattlesnakes and some carrion.
REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, DeGraff et al. 1980, Heintzelman
1979, Jollie 1943, McGahan 1968, Miller 1999, Shunk 2004. |
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