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marmots, foxes, skunks, cats, rabbits, grouse, ground squirrels, crows, pheasants, meadowlarks, tortoises, and snakes." www.baldeagleinfo.com and www.desertusa.com claims: "One study that reviewed the list of Golden Eagle prey items in North America found the birds preyed upon (depending upon their location) 52 species of mammals, 48 birds, 5 reptiles and 2 fish. The birds will also feed on carrion, which sometimes results in death from vehicle collisions or poisoning." Yet many British studies claim that golden eagles rarely feed on carrion. Foxes, rabbits, hares, geese and cranes are favored in the UK. But there is no record of golden eagles attacking domestic animals. Hunting territory usually covers up to 260sq.km.

Breeding
The nest is up to 2m wide and lined with any soft greenery, such as moss or even tender bark or fur. The female usually lays 2 eggs. When hatched, often the elder chick kills the younger, particularly if food is scarce. (The biggest struggle for the chicks is to survive the first winter!) The chicks reach fledgling status after about 80 days, but may still be fed by the parents for a further couple of months. They usually make their first flight at about 9 to 11 weeks of age. The young will move out of the parents' territory, but return in winter. That is the one time to see a gathering of these "loner eagles".

Flight
However, it is the golden eagle in flight that must be the most awesome feature of this bird. They can soar for long periods with little to no wing flapping, seeming to delight in rising thermals which carry them spiraling high in the air. And their downwards flight is quite dramatic too. With wings tucked, they can swoop at speeds of up to 200mph.

Over time, the golden eagle has been treasured as a species of wonder. The golden eagle is the national bird of Mexico. And Native Americans in the region of Prairie Edge prize the golden eagle as a sacred bird. The tail feathers are worn as symbols of courage.

But perhaps this bird has not been treasured quite enough. There are claims that the golden eagle lives in Asia. But there is an eerie silence on any information, especially from Japan or western Siberia where they are supposedly still surviving. A few scattered reports have filtered from northern Italy, but what about China or Thailand? The golden eagle is protected in the U.S., but it has not been included on the endangered species list yet. Perhaps the desperate efforts in Ireland, to re-introduce this species, should be a warning that perhaps it is time to recognize the golden eagle as endangered.

Sources
www.baldeagl einfo.com
www.rspb.org.uk
www.bb c.co.uk
www.goldeneagle.ie
www.d rumhop.com

Learn more about this author, Gemma Wiseman.
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