(Aquila chrysaetos)
Migration Timeframe:
A few Golden Eagles may be seen in
mid-September, but October is prime time for them accounting
for 60 % pf their total during the last 10 years. In some
years, their main push is delayed till early November rather than in
October. Generally, numbers decline through November,
with a few birds to migrating up to mid-December.
Year |
Peak Week |
Avg |
2002-2007 |
Oct 27-Nov 02 |
29 |
Year |
Peak Week |
Count |
2008 |
Oct 27-Nov 02 |
169 |
Year |
Earliest
Obs |
Count |
Year |
Latest
Obs |
Count |
2002-2007 |
Sep 26 2004 |
1 |
2002-2007 |
Nov 24 2005 |
1 |
2008 |
Oct 13 |
1 |
2008 |
Nov 22 |
3 |
Where to Watch:
The Golden Eagles are almost never seen at the cliff itself. They're
most often spotted at "Sharpie Alley" and at other points north
towards Fruit Ridge Rd. Experienced observers know to watch for
Golden Eagles mixed in with flights of Turkey Vultures. Their
appearance can be very similar to the vultures...both are big and
dark and exhibit a slight dihedral in their wings as they fly. Late
one day in 2006 we had 5 Goldens drop down to roost in the bush lot
just north and west of the ravine. A truly amazing sight!!
High Counts:
The Golden Eagle numbers continue to climb and the 2008 total of 220 includes
a spectacular day on Nov 1st when a total of 65 were
tallied....setting a new 1-day record. The 1-Hour high count
was also surpassed on Nov 1st with 14 Goldens tallied from 10:00 to
11:00. Awesome!! Interestingly, the 1-month high count was also
surpassed...BUT for the month of October 2008 with 115...and yet
this excludes the 65 observed on Nov 1st.
1-Year |
Count |
1-Month |
Count |
2008 |
220 |
Oct 2008 |
115 |
1-Day |
Count |
1-Hour |
Count |
Nov 01 2008 |
65 |
Nov 01 2008 |
14 |
Yearly Totals:
The 2008 yearly total exceeded the 10-Year and the 5-Year averages.
(averages are based on 1998-2007 and 2003-2007 counts).
Year |
Count |
Year |
Count |
Year |
Count |
1995 |
20 |
2000 |
97 |
2005 |
83 |
1996 |
57 |
2001 |
51 |
2006 |
146 |
1997 |
50 |
2002 |
47 |
2007 |
151 |
1998 |
83 |
2003 |
76 |
2008 |
220 |
1999 |
110 |
2004 |
98 |
2009 |
N/A |
10-Yr Avg |
5-Yr Avg |
94 |
111 |
Interesting Facts:
-
Juvenile Golden Eagles have a very distinctive
plumage...with a broad white band in the tail and large
white patches under each wing.
-
It takes 4 years before a Golden Eagle
assumes the dark brown plumage and characteristic gold wash
on the back of the head and neck of a mature bird.
-
All Golden Eagles are thought to winter
within the North American continent and the majority within
the continental U.S.
-
Males are typically smaller than females but there's some
overlap.
-
The only way for a scientist to tell for sure whether a bald
eagle is male or female is to measure bill and talon lengths
-
An eagle can live anywhere from 20-30 years in the wild and
for up to 60 years in captivity