The
Crestone Eagle, January 2007:
The golden eagle
by Keno
 It
seems that when people think of eagles in the U.S., the bald
eagle is the first one that comes to mind, even here in Crestone.
Heck, just look at our newspaper’s logo! Yet, you’re
more likely to see a golden eagle in Colorado than the bald
eagle. Golden eagles live in Colorado year round and there
are many of them. You’re more likely to see goldens
in the winter months than in the summer. Golden eagles have
more nesting birds in Colorado than bald eagles, with an estimated
600-900 active nests, mainly in the northwestern part of the
state.
Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), are a member
of the booted or true eagles family. They’re named for
the golden wash on the head and nape which contrasts with
the dark brown body. You will never confuse an adult golden
eagle with a bald eagle, whose white head and tail are unmistakable.
The younger birds, however, can confuse you. The golden eagle
is a bird of rugged cliffs and canyons, but is also found
in open country. A powerful hunter, it feeds on a broad range
of birds, reptiles and mammals, with jackrabbits its primary
prey. Being a great hunter, they seldom eat carrion. Its hunting
territory extends up to 162 square miles
It is nothing more than a legend that they can carry off
calves and lambs. Studies have found that an adult golden
eagle weighing 11 pounds could carry two pounds of weight,
but could not lift off if five pound weights were attached
to its feet. Most adult males weigh 11-13 pounds and females
15-20 pounds. Ron Garcia, the manager of the Baca Wildlife
Refuge, once witnessed a golden carry off a living pine marten
to its nest. “It was quite a sight” said Garcia.
Pine martens on average weigh around two pounds.
Unlike the bald eagle, which is restricted to North America,
the golden is found throughout the northern hemisphere. In
North America, they are found mainly in the west, and are
irregular visitors to the midwest and eastern states. They
are found all across Canada and Alaska, and as far south as
central Mexico. Overseas, their population has been in decline
in central Europe, and they have been restricted to the higher
central Appenine regions of Italy and the Alps. In recent
years they have started to breed in lowland areas of Sweden
and Denmark. In Britain, there are about 420 pairs left in
the Scottish highlands. The birds are also found in most of
Asia and northern Africa.
Golden eagles are masters at soaring and may soar for hours.
With their large wingspread—6.5 to 7.5 feet, these birds
can soar for long periods of time with little wing flapping.
At times golden eagles may reach speeds of an estimated 150-200
mph!
An adult golden eagle is 30-40 inches long, with the female
larger than the male. Their life expectancy is 15-20 years.
They are very sensitive to human disturbance. Be sure not
to approach them. If you should spot an eagle while out on
a drive, use your car as a blind. These birds will tolerate
a car more than human figures, and you will get a better look
without stressing the bird.
Golden eagles mate at about four years of age, and mainly
will stay paired with the same mate for life. They prefer
to nest on rocky crags or cliff faces, although they will
occasionally build a nest in a tree, often returning annually
to the same nest. Nests are constructed of large twigs or
roots, and can be lined with moss, bark, fur or other soft
material. The nest may become huge, as much as 8-10 feet across
and 3-4 feet deep.
Females lay one to three eggs, once a year. Most males don’t
share in the egg incubation, but will bring food to the female.
Both parents share in raising the young. The eaglets weigh
only three ounces when they are born and stay in the nest
for nine to eleven weeks before they can fly.
Golden eagles escaped the heavy DDT contamination that affected
the bald eagle in the last century, mainly because, goldens
don’t rely on fish as their primary food source. Still,
their numbers were affected by DDT and like the bald eagle,
they thrived after the pesticide was outlawed.
Golden eagles are protected in the United States through
the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Possession of a feather
or other body part is a felony with a fine of up to $10,000
and/or 10 years in prison, although federally recognized Native
Americans are able to possess these emblems which are traditional
in their culture.
In the Crestone area, you are most likely to see these birds
along Road T, as they like to perch on the power poles on
the side of the road. There are estimated to be anywhere from
20 to as many as 100 golden eagles in the San Luis Valley
year round. Although there are no known nests in the area,
Ron Garcia guesses that there still may be some in our area.
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