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GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) STATUS Federal: Bald Eagle Protection Act State: Species of Special Concern Other: CNDDB Special Animal DESCRIPTION Adult golden eagles are brown with a dark bill and faint tail bands. The feathers on the back of the head and neck are a diagnostic golden color. Immatures have well-defined white patches in the underwings, a large white tail base and a dark terminal tail band. The distinctive white markings in the wing and tail distinguish the immature golden eagle from first year bald eagles. Young bald eagles also have a proportionately longer neck and tail as well as a larger head then immature golden eagles. Adult plumage is attained in 4 or 5 years. The golden eagle usually soars with its wings held nearly horizontal which aids in distinguishing it from the turkey vulture, even when seen at a distance (National Geographic Society, 1987). Mature adult golden eagles weigh between eight and twelve pounds. The wing span extends from six to seven and one-half feet. Females are larger than males (Snow, 1973). Pairs form long-term pair bonds. The protracted nesting season lasts from January through September(Beedy and Granholm, 1985). Incubation lasts for 43-45 days and fledging occurs at 66-75 days (Ehrlich et al., 1988). DISTRIBUTION The golden eagle breeds in the foothills and mountains from northwestern Alaska and Canada south to Mexico and east to the Dakotas, Texas and southern Saskatchewan. There are still a few pairs in the northern Appalachians. Golden eagles winter from eastern Canada, Manitoba, Alberta and northern British Columbia south into Mexico (Farrand, 1983). The golden eagle inhabits the coasts, interior, mountains and Great Basin areas of California (McCaskie, DeBenedictis, Erickson and Morlan, 1988). It nests primarily in the foothills,but breeding has been observed along the crest of the mountains(Beedy and Granholm,1985). Golden eagles are permanent residents in California and are joined by migrants from the north in the winter, thus noticeably increasing the population at that time. HABITAT PREFERENCES The golden eagle usually nests on cliffs,but sometimes uses tall trees. It builds huge stick nests which are used perennially. The nest can weigh as much as a ton and reach 6 feet across (Breedy and Granholm, 1985). The sticks are interwoven with brush and leaves and lined with fine materials. Often 2-3 nests are used alternately (Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye, 1988). The nests are placed so that the golden eagle has an unobstructed view of open country. Golden eagles require large tracts of open country with high prey density for