LTHOUGH THE GOLDEN not grow their characteristic white head and ern United States are of- eagle is one of the most widely tail until adulthood. One way to tell the two ten found in smaller forest A distributed birds of prey in the species apart: Golden eagles have feathers openings or forest edges. world – occurring in Europe, Asia, Africa all the way down their legs, whereas bald Some people refer to them Immature golden eagles are dark brown and North America – it is rare to Kentucky eagles have bright yellow, featherless lower as upland eagles because of with white patches under the wings and at and the eastern United States. legs. this habitat preference. the base of the tail. The birds that do come to Kentucky ar- Immature golden eagles are dark brown During the winter, they rive in the winter, when the nesting popula- with white patches under the wings and at mostly feed on medium- tion in eastern Canada migrates south. the base of the tail. Adult golden eagles are sized mammals, such as tinue camera trapping efforts in 2013 There are currently no documented dark brown with a golden crown and neck. rabbits, but they will also at some of the same and possibly some breeding pairs of golden eagles in Kentucky Golden eagles are large birds, with hunt for birds, rodents USFWS photo new sites to gain more information or the surrounding states. In fact, there has a wingspan of about 6½ to 7½ feet and a and occasionally reptiles. about golden eagle distribution never been a documented golden eagle nest weight of 7-14 pounds. They are long-lived Golden eagles will also scav- and numbers. More informa- in Kentucky. and can survive 15-30 years in the wild. enge on carcasses and take waterfowl, tion about golden eagle re- Biologists are now using camera trap- They obtain their adult plumage and reach which can associate them with groups of search can be found online at ping techniques to better understand the sexual maturity at 5 years of age. wintering bald eagles. www.appalachianeagles.org. abundance and distribution of golden eagles Golden eagles wintering in the east- Kentucky Fish and Wildlife will con- Bird enthusiasts should not in Kentucky and the region. feed eagles for pleasure or in an Camera trapping is a noninvasive and attempt to duplicate this research. Trained inexpensive method to survey for wildlife. biologists carefully planned this effort to Researchers set up motion-activated cam- avoid detrimental effects to the birds. Feed- eras in areas biologists believe will appeal to ing eagles can disrupt their natural behavior golden eagles and then use road-killed deer and put them at risk of poisoning, collisions to bait the birds into view. This project is a and other harm. coordinated effort with the Eastern Golden Although golden eagle sightings are be- Eagle Working Group. coming more common, a sighting of these In 2011, Bernheim Forest Arbore- birds continues to be rare and noteworthy. tum and Research Forest personnel began The best locations to see these birds include participating in the Golden Eagle Camera areas around Land Between The Lakes and Trapping Project. This area of Bullitt Coun- Bernheim Forest. Winter months between The ty made a good choice since golden eagles December and February are the best times n have been regularly observed there for the to see golden eagles flying overhead. past 20 years or more. For example, during an annual midwinter eagle survey in 2009, Left: A golden eagle walks past the trail seven different golden eagles were spotted camera at Pioneer Weapons WMA in Bath Obscure at Bernheim Forest. As golden eagles age, County while an immature bald eagle their plumage changes, allowing biologists arrives in the background. Bottom: Images to distinguish individuals of different age from Fishtrap Lake WMA (left) and Pioneer quite easily. Weapons WMA. In 2012, camera trapping efforts ex- KDFWR photo panded with the addition of sites monitored by biologists from Kentucky Fish and Wild- EAGLE life. Camera traps were added at locations where golden eagles were suspected, but concrete documentation of the species was Golden eagle research minimal: Grayson Lake Wildlife Manage- ment Area (WMA) in Carter County, Fish- trap Lake WMA in Pike County, Pioneer expands in Kentucky Weapons WMA in Bath County and Yel- lowbank WMA in Breckinridge County. By Kate Heyden Surveys revealed golden eagle visitation at Fishtrap Lake WMA, Pioneer Weapons WMA and Bernheim Forest in 2012. Bald eagles were detected at Yellowbank WMA, Bernheim and Pioneer Weapons WMA. Golden eagles are often confused with Adrienne Yancy illustration Yancy Adrienne immature bald eagles since bald eagles do KDFWR photo KDFWR photo

12 Kentucky Afield Winter 2012 fw.ky.gov fw.ky.gov Winter 2012 Kentucky Afield 13