Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

Length: 30 - 36 inches	Wingspan: 6 - 8 feet	Seasonality: All Seasons / Winter
ID Keys: Large size, dark brown overall, lighter "golden" crown

Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagles are magnificent, powerful raptors, the largest of all birds of prey found in North America. Generally found in the western half of the U.S. (although it is an uncommon resident of the East), the Golden Eagle is a hunter of wide open prairies. They are also found in much of Europe and Asia. Golden Eagles are generally solitary birds, and are not often found in the large groups that Bald Eagles are sometimes found. In summer in South Dakota, they are found in a few select areas of the far western part of the state where suitable nesting sites are found. They are spread more widely in winter, where they can be found patrolling the grasslands of the central part of the state.

Habitat:

Given their wide distribution in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, a very wide variety of habitats may be occupied. In the United States, they may be find in a wide range of habitats but generally are found in open country, including prairie, rangeland, desert, or tundra.

Diet:

Primarily small mammals. They will also occasional take larger prey such as young deer or pronghorn, with some mated pairs seemingly specializing in the take down of certain larger creatures. Opportunistic feeders, other prey items include birds, snakes, lizards, and carrion.

Behavior:

Will look for prey while soaring, while observing from a perch, or by swooping low over the ground. Pairs will sometimes cooperatively hunt, particularly with larger prey, where both birds may take turns chasing and wearing prey out before moving in for the final kill. Many breeding pairs may mate for life.

Nesting:

March through June in South Dakota. The nest of a Golden Eagle is a very large structure primarily made up of branches and sticks, but with a wide variety of other materials related to the breeding area. Other nest materials used to line the interior of the nest may include roots, grasses, leaves, and bits of fur and feathers. The nest may be placed in a variety of locations, including cliff faces, on man-made structures such as bridges or towers, or on the ground. Two eggs are laid, and the female alone does most of the incubation. The incubation period is about 6 weeks. Young take their first flight 2 months or more after hatching, but generally stay in the care of the parents for many weeks after fledging.

Song:

Generally silent at most times of the year, but they do have occasional calls or courting vocalizations. Click here to hear vocalizations of young begging at a nest site¹. Click here to hear a "song" of courting Golden Eagles². Click here to hear an alarm call³.

Migration:

Birds in northern part of their range (northern half of Canada, and Alaska) may move south in the fall. Many birds in the western U.S. are permanent residents.

Interactive eBird Map:

Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Golden Eagle sightings

Similar Species:

Bald Eagle (juvenile)

Conservation Status:

Currently stable, although numbers are lower than historical levels (especially in the Eastern U.S.). At a global level, the IUCN considers the Golden Eagle to be a species of "Least Concern".

South Dakota "Hotspot":

They are very often found on the Fort Pierre National Grasslands in winter. The Kennebec/Presho/Reliance corridor along I-90 is one location in winter where I often find Golden Eagles, particularly an area about 5 miles southwest of Presho where I always seem to find a massive mature pair in winter.