Chuck releasing an eagle.

The average wingspan of the golden eagle is 7 feet. Females are larger than males, as is the case with most birds of prey. When in flight, the eagle rarely flaps his wings, choosing instead to use air currents and thermals to soar in his hunt for food. The eagle flies with his wings outstretched and his primary feathers slightly separated and upturned. This will differentiate between the eagle and the vulture (closest in size to the eagle) in flight. Also, the vulture flies with a slight V-shape to his wings.

San Diego county is the year-round home for golden eagles. Nest sites are cliff ledges and trees. Eagles are monogamous and a mated pair will use the same nest year after year, or alternate between two chosen nest sites. From one to three eggs are laid in the spring, with often a three day interval between the laying of each egg. As is the case with many raptors, only the strongest or most aggressive babies will survive. The youngest will often fall victim to the "Cain and Abel conflict", with no attempt by the parents to alter this situation. The young eaglet will fledge at 9 or 10 weeks, but stay with the parents for several months, learning the necessary survival skills. In the following year the eaglet will leave his birthplace to find his own territory.

Golden eagles do not reach sexual maturity for about 5 years. Until that time, they do not possess the distinctive "golden" head (hence the name "golden eagle") that so typifies this species. Juveniles, although primarily dark brown like the parents, do have a white tail with a dark terminal band, and white wing patches beneath their primary feathers, all of which disappears as they mature. As juveniles, golden eagles and bald eagles resemble each other, as neither has the respective golden or white head so characteristic of its species. There are however, a few minor differences to note for the novice birder who is fortunate enough to observe both golden and bald eagles. The feathering of the golden eagle extends to his toes. Other birds of prey (including bald eagles) have featherless and scaled lower legs. The white wing and tail patches on the golden eagle are more distinct and defined than on the bald eagle juvenile. Additionally, the bald eagle has a proportionately larger head and shorter tail than the golden eagle.

The most common injuries to golden eagles are the result of being hit by cars. While graceful in flight, these large raptors are slow moving on the ground, and are often hit while feeding on road kills. Other injuries common to eagles are collisions with power lines, often resulting in broken wings. Golden eagles, as well as other birds and mammals, are often the victims of secondary poisoning. This is caused by their consumption of an animal, either dead or dying, who had previously ingested a pesticide. These poisons travel up the food chain, often causing the deaths of many predatory animals, as well as our family pets.

At our facility, we deal with many ill or injured golden eagles. Sadly enough, of all the eagles we have had radiographed for one reason or another, all have had buckshot appear on their x-rays.

These birds are truly beneficial to us and our environment. They are aesthetically pleasing to our senses as they soar our skies, but more importantly, they are extremely helpful to us by controlling the populations of large rats, squirrels, rabbits, and snakes found within their home range.

Related Links:

• The Eagle Page
• The Eagle Advocate

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