Sightings of golden eagles have increased somewhat in recent years in Kentucky, but most outdoor enthusiasts have never seen one of these big raptors.
While the bald eagle has made a remarkable comeback and nests throughout the state, there are no documented breeding pairs of golden eagles in Kentucky or nest sites, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
The range of the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) once included most of the Lower 48 states, but today breeding populations are concentrated in the Rocky Mountain states. The golden eagle does not tolerate the presence of humans, and prefers to live in remote, wild lands.
The golden eagles that visit Kentucky during the winter months come from a breeding population in eastern Canada The number of golden eagles wintering here usually peaks here between December and February (Photo Provided)
One of the most widely distributed eagles, golden eagles are native to Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, including Canada, Alaska and Mexico.
The golden eagles that visit Kentucky, and a handful of other states in the region during the winter months, come from a breeding population in eastern Canada that follows migratory geese and ducks down the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways. The number of visiting golden eagles usually peaks here between December and February.
Two of the best places to see golden eagles in Kentucky are:
* Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, in and around Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. Lake Barkley State Resort Park, near Cadiz, Ky., hosts a special weekend each winter where outings in heated boats and vans, take visitors to view bald and golden eagles in the lakes area.
This winter’s Eagle Weekend at Lake Barkley State Resort Park is Jan. 27-29, 2017. For more information, and to place reservations, call the park at (270) 924-1131 or e-mail Edmonds@ky.gov.
* Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. This 14,000 acre forest, 20 minutes south of Louisville, off Interstate-65 (exit 112), was established for public use in 1929 by whiskey distiller I.W. Bernheim.
Adult golden eagles are dark brown with a golden crown and neck, and a gray bill. They have a wingspan of about 6½ to 7½ feet, weigh 7 to 14 pounds, and typically females are larger than males
Golden eagles have been wintering at Bernheim for more than 20 years. In 2015, forest manager Andrew Berry estimated that up to seven golden eagles were wintering at Bernheim.
One of the golden eagles, which the staff named Harper, was live trapped and fitted with a GPS transmitter, so that it could be tracked back to its breeding grounds.
Harper left Bernheim Forest on March 12 and traveled more than 2,100 miles (at speeds of up 40 miles per hour, at heights of up to 3,500 feet), in 26 days before arriving on April 6 at Wapusk National Park, in northeast Manitoba, Canada, on the shores of Hudson Bay.
Along the way Harper crossed the agricultural lands of the Midwest, flew over Wisconsin and Minnesota, across the western tip of Lake Superior and into the boreal forests of Manitoba. The GPS transmitter lost power on June 30, near Churchill, Manitoba.
For information on visiting Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest telephone (502) 955-8512, or e-mail: nature@bernheim.org.
Often Confused with Immature Bald Eagles
It’s not surprising that in the excitement of seeing an eagle in the wild, many outdoor enthusiasts misidentify the big birds.
That’s because golden eagles look very similar to immature bald eagles, which don’t grow their characteristic white head and tail until adulthood. Also, the bald eagle’s bill is large, and bright yellow.
Golden eagles have feathers all the way down their legs, while bald eagles have bright yellow, featherless lower legs.
Juvenile golden eagles are dark brown with white patches under the wings and at the base of the tail. Adult golden eagles are dark brown with a golden crown and neck, and a gray bill.
Bald eagles and golden eagles are nearly identical in size. As with most birds of prey, females are typically larger than males. Golden eagles have a wingspan of about 6½ to 7½ feet, and weigh 7 to 14 pounds. They are long-lived and can survive 15 to 30 years in the wild. They obtain their adult plumage and reach
sexual maturity at five years of age.
Nesting golden eagles have a home range of about 77 square miles. Their nests are built in high places, preferably cliffs.
They breed in the spring. Females lay about four eggs, which incubate in about six weeks. Eaglets fledge in three months. As immature birds, they begin to wander extensively, seeking out their territory.
Golden eagles wintering in the eastern U.S. are often found in forest openings or forest edges, feeding on small mammals and birds that frequent this habitat. They will also scavenge on deer carcasses, and take waterfowl, when they are in groups with wintering bald eagles. Since bald eagles feed primarily on fish, they typically winter on large lakes and rivers.
Due to their hunting prowess, the golden eagle is regarded with great mystic reverence in some ancient, tribal cultures.
When pausing between wing beats, its broad, long wings are held in a slight upturned V.
Golden eagles are capable of very fast gliding, up to 120 miles per hour. When diving in full stoop, they can reach spectacular speeds, approaching 200 miles per hour, using massive, sharp talons, to snatch up prey.
Camera Trapping
In recent years research biologists have used camera trapping as a way to assess golden eagle numbers and distribution in Kentucky, and throughout the Appalachians.
It’s a noninvasive and inexpensive method of survey that uses motion-activated trail cameras, baited with road-killed deer, to get images and video of golden eagles. As golden eagles age, their plumage changes, allowing biologists to distinguish individuals of different age quite easily.
In 2012, biologists with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources set up camera traps at several wildlife management areas in eastern Kentucky, but only got a few images of the elusive raptors for their efforts.
Migrating golden eagles are out there, and getting a glimpse or photograph of one is a treat worth pursuing, sure to warm up any cold winter day.
Art Lander Jr. is outdoors editor for NKyTribune and KyForward. He is a native Kentuckian, a graduate of Western Kentucky University and a life-long hunter, angler, gardener and nature enthusiast. He has worked as a newspaper columnist, magazine journalist and author and is a former staff writer for Kentucky Afield Magazine, editor of the annual Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide and Kentucky Spring Hunting Guide, and co-writer of the Kentucky Afield Outdoors newspaper column.
