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Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos
Accipitridae
Dark body crowned by golden head
Head feathers gleam in sunlight
As large as Bald Eagle but has totally feathered legs
Head relatively small than Bald Eagle
Immature Bald Eagle underside with irregular white blotches ...
... Golden Eagle underside has distinct white areas
Prefers to breed in wide open spaces
Clutch of 1-3 eggs in stick nest
Chicks are far from predators in remote cliffside nest
Fully feathered leg of newly banded eaglet; impressive talons
Parent with large nestlings
Nestlings large enough to defecate around nest
Light Green=breeding, Dark green=year-round, Blue=winter
From Santa Cruz CA
From Segovia, Spain
Honored in Finland with stamp
Hunting prowess makes it a favorite with ...
... falconers in Western Mongolia and other localities
Trained eagle wearing jesses and anklets on its feathered legs

Although birding records for Salter Grove go back to 2002, the Golden Eagle was only seen for the first time soaring over Salter Grove on 21 April of 2026.  Doubtlessly a migrant, its large size, relatively small head, long tail, and dark brown plumage with a golden nape distinguished it from an immature Bald Eagle, which would have been a more likely eagle to see at the park. 

The Golden Eagle typically breeds in the wide open spaces of western North America from Alaska south to central Mexico where the native vegetation is intact and humans are sparse.  Northern breeders migrate south for the winter months while southern individuals winter within their breeding range. 

It is a skillful hunter of a long list of small to medium-sized mammals such as rabbits, hares, ground squirrels and prairie dogs, occasionally even larger prey such as coyotes and deer.  Birds, reptiles and fish are also fair game, although not as numerous in its diet.

Its hunting prowess has made it a cross-cultural favorite of falconers.  It was an important religious and  military symbol for the Romans, and was revered by pre-Hispanic cultures in Mexico.  It continues to be culturally significant across its widespread Holarctic range as the national bird for six countries in North America, Europe, and Central Asia, namely: Mexico, Scotland, Austria, Germany, Albania, and Kazakstan.

Despite its wide ranging distribution in the northern hemisphere, migration counts suggest that the Golden Eagle is in general decline in North America.  Because it feeds mainly on mammals, it avoided the devastating effects of the pesticide DDT that decimated raptors dependent on insectivorous prey.  However, the lead shot used to bring down game scavenged by the Golden Eagle is causing an analogous toxic effect.  Wind turbines and power lines also continue to be fatal to migrating birds.