Aquila chrysaetos

Widespread distribution throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Still relatively common in some areas. Rank reflects primarily the extensive distribution; local threats/declines do not yet comprise a major conservation problem from a global perspective.

In North America, breeding occurs from western and northern Alaska eastward through Northwest Territories to Labrador, and south to northern Mexico, Texas, western Oklahoma, and western Kansas, and in eastern North America southward to New York and northern New England (rare). See Lee and Spofford (1990) for a review of nesting records from the central and southern Appalachians (most nesting records south of the Adirondacks are doubtful). Golden eagles breed also in the Palearctic. The winter range in North America extends from south-central Alaska and southern Canada southward through the breeding range, and casually farther southward. In the United States, the species is most numerous in winter in the Rocky Mountain states, Great Basin, and western edge of the Great Plains (Root 1988). See Milsap and Vana (1984) for information on winter range in the eastern United States. Northernmost populations in Eurasia winter south to northern Africa (Sibley and Monroe 1990).

The global number of occurrences has not been precisely determined using standardized criteria, but this species clearly is represented by a large number of occurrences (subpopulations).

Decline in the early 1900s was due to eradication campaigns, frequently encouraged by the use of bounties (eagle was believed to be a major predator on livestock).

Golden eagles are extremely susceptible to powerline electrocution because the wings can span phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground wires (Biosystems Analysis 1989); modifications have been made in problem areas.

Other threats include ingestion of poison intended for coyotes; ingestion of toxic water from mining activities; occasional shootings; habitat loss to agriculture, suburban land uses, and energy development; loss of potential food resources as a result of habitat degradation or rodent/rabbit control; mortality in inappropriately designed stock tanks, and collisions with structures and with vehicles on roadways. Human disturbance or activity may cause nest abandonment, render a nest site less productive, or prevent a suitable nest site from being utilized, but direct disturbance of nests appears to be infrequent (see GBBO 2010).

Mortality resulting from inappropriate wind turbine design and placement looms as an increasing threat. Many eagle deaths have been recorded at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area in northern California and at the Pine Tree wind turbine facility in Tehachapi in southern California. Several dozen wind energy developments have been proposed for desert areas in southern California, where there are many occupied golden eagle territories (LaPré 2011). Proposed solar energy developments in the Mohave Desert overlap with golden eagle territories (Wildlife Research Institute 2010). Large-scale wind/solar energy development could reduce prey populations and reduce eagle hunting opportunities (GBBO 2010).

The small population in eastern North America may be negatively affected by poor survival to breeding age (Palmer 1988).

See De Smet (1987 COSEWIC report) for further discussion of threats.