WVDNR WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION
It is the policy of theDivision of Natural Resourcesto provide its facilities,services, programs, andemployment opportunitiesto all persons withoutregard to sex, race, age,religion, national origin orancestry, disability, or otherprotected group status.10M 4/06
WildlifeDiversityProgram
Wildlife Resources
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 67Elkins, WV 26241(304) 637-0245Fax: (304) 637-0250
Also quite rare in the East, the goldeneagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)
is fiercerand more wild than the bald eagle.Historically, golden eagle populationshave been low. Intense campaigns of elimination in the past and possiblerecent pesticide contaminationhave reduced their numbers to anestimated total population of 4,000to 5,000 pairs. Most golden eaglesnest in the uplands of northernCanada, Alaska and the westernUnited States. In the eastern UnitedStates they range from New Englandthrough the Appalachian Mountainsto Georgia, but recorded nests arefew.In West Virginia, golden eagles arerare fall migrants and winter visitors. Thereis no definite evidence that they have evernested here, but there have been occasionalsummer sightings in recent years. During the winter, golden eagles are seen primarily inthe mountain counties from Tucker County south to Monroe County.
Life History
Golden eagles nest from February to May in the West and May to June in the Arctic.Some pairs use the same nest each year, whileothers use one of the up to 10 different neststhey may build. In the West, some pairs only nest every other year, and a nest site is oftenused by many generations of golden eagles.The few recorded nests in the East are indeciduous forests, but in the western UnitedStates they nest either on cliffs overlookingopen country or in pine trees.Incubation of the one to four eggs is mainly a task of the female. Incubation lasts from43 to 45 days. At 9 to 10 weeks of age, the eaglets,each weighing from 9 to12½ pounds, leave thenest. Adult birds weighapproximately 12 poundsand have a wingspan of 6½ to 7½ feet.These majestic birds areseldom heard, but they do occasionally give a yelping bark. Rabbitsconstitute the majority of a golden eagle’s diet, butthey also eat chipmunks,ground squirrels,mice, groundhogs andsometimes grouse. They have also been known toeat carrion, and on rareoccasions, will attack healthy pigs, sheep,deer or other large mammals.
Identification
Adult:
There is a golden wash to the feathertips of the headand neck, and aslight lighteningat the base of thetail. Their cere (theswollen area aboutthe nostrils abovethe beak) and feetare yellow. Look for legs featheredto the toes and, while in flight, soaring with wings flat with only occasional wing beats.
Immature:
Their tails have a broad whiteband with a black band at the end. Theprimary (outer wing) feathers are white at thebase. On the underside there is white showingat the “wrists” of the wings.
S t e v e S h a l u t a , J r .
Adult golden eagle
S t e v e S h a l u t a , J r .
Adult golden eagle showing golden feather tips.
Golden Eagle
Eagles
of
West Virginia
Remember
Bald and golden eagles are protected by bothstate and federal laws. It is against the law to“harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill,trap, capture, or collect” these birds. Presenceat the nest site during the nesting season isalso considered a form of harassment. WestVirginia law states that anyone who violates theprovisions of this act is guilty of a misdemeanor,and will be fined not less than $500 nor morethan $5,000 or imprisoned not less than 60 daysnor more than a year.One half of this fine shall be paid to any personor persons providing information that leads toan arrest. Federal fines and imprisonment aremore stringent. Report information to your localconservation officer or the Wildlife ResourcesSection’s Wildlife Diversity Program at 304-637-0245. All communications will be keptconfidential.If you see a bald eagle in West Virginia,especially pairs of birds during the breedingseason (February through June); please reportyour sightings to the address listed below.
www.wvdnr.gov
Cover photo of bald eagle by Steve Hillebrand,USFWS
www.wvdnr.gov
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