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Golden Eagles and Bald Eagles
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NEVADA REVISED STATUTE FOR EAGLES
• NRS 503.610- It is unlawful to kill, possess, destroy, wound, trap, injure, catch, capture, pursue or disturb Bald Eagles or Golden Eagles within the state, though permits can be issued for specific cases with federal approval.
• NRS 503.610- It authorizes (NDOW) Nevada Department of Wildlife to issue permits to take eagles if they are determined to be substantial and persistent injury to wildlife or other interests.
• NRS 503.610- It allows (NDOW) Nevada Department of Wildlife to authorize master falconers to possess Golden Eagles under specific conditions, including obtaining eagles for rehabilitation or legally possessing them in another state
• NRS 503.610- (Possession and Falconry)- It is illegal to possess a Golden Eagle from the wild or use one for falconry without a valid master falconry license and an eagle permit from (NDOW) Nevada Department of Wildlife
• NAC 503.250- This regulation limits the number of Golden Eagles a Master Falconer can possess to two.
• NAC 503.235- This regulation allows (NDOW) Nevada Department of Wildlife to deny or revoke a falconry license if the applicant has been convicted of violating raptor-related regulations
Laws for Bald Eagles & Golden Eagles
• Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) (16 U.S.C. 668-688d)- Prohibits the take, possession, sale purchase or transport, export or import barter of Bald and Golden Eagles alive or dead, their parts (including feathers) nests, or eggs, without a permit from (USFWS) United States Fish and Wildlife Services. A violation of the act could result in a fine of $100,000 ($200,000 for organizations), imprisonment for one year, or both, for a first offense. Penalties increase substantially for additional offenses, and a second violation of this act is a felony. The Migratory Bird Conservation Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct investigations and publish documents related to North American birds and establishes a Migratory Bird Conversation Commission (MBCC) to approve areas recommended by the Secretary for acquisition. The (MBCC) also approves wetlands conservation projects recommended by the North American Wetlands Conservation Council under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
• Migratory Bird Treaty (MBTA)- Provides additional protection for Bald Eagles as a migratory species. It prohibits the take (including killing, capturing, selling, trading, and transport) of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization by the Department of Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• FYI- A migratory bird species is included on the list if it meets one or more of the following criteria: 1) It occurs in the United States or U.S. territories as the result of natural biological or ecological processes and is currently, or was previously listed as, a species or part of a family protected by one of the four international treaties or their amendments. 2)Revised taxonomy results in it being newly split from a species that was previously on the list, and the new species occurs in the United States or U.S. territories as the result of natural biological or ecological processes. 3)New evidence exists for its natural occurrence in the United States or U.S. territories resulting from natural distributional changes and the species occurs in a protected family.
• Lacey Act- (16 USC 3371 – 3378)- The Lacey Act provides that it is unlawful for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any fish or wildlife or plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States or in violation of any Indian tribal law whether in interstate or foreign commerce. All plants or animals taken in violation of the Act are subject to forfeiture as well as all vessels, vehicles, aircraft, and other equipment used in the process.
BALD EAGLE & GOLDEN EAGLE
• FYI- There are approximately 150 eagles in the state of Nevada.
• FYI-BALD & GOLDEN EALGES- Females are larger, have a wingspan of up to 8 feet and the males only have a wingspan of up to 6 feet.
BALD EAGLES FACTS:
• Bald Eagle scientific name - (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).
• In Latin Hali and aietos means “sea eagle” and leuco and cephalos means “white-headed”
• Bald Eagles - Life span is 20-30 years
• Bald Eagle Classification-(Bird); State Conversation Status: State Protected, Priority Species. Federal Conservation Status: Least Concern and Game Status-Non-Game.
• Bald Eagles - United States chose the Bald Eagle as its National Bird on June 20, 1782.
• Bald Eagles- Based on a 2020 report, there are more than 316,000 bald eagles living in the U.S. (They live in every one of the lower 48 states and much of Alaska and Canada, plus northern parts of Mexico.
• FYI- Bald Eagles- The oldest recorded Bald Eagle was 38 years old wild banded on record in the United States, and was struck by a vehicle, New York (2015).
GOLDEN EAGLES FACTS:
• Golden Eagle scientific name- (Aquila chrysaetos).
• In Latin Aquila means “eagle” and chrusaetos means Greek for “Golden Eagle”.
• Golden Eagles- are one of the largest raptors found in North America.
• Golden Eagles- Life span is 15-30 years.
• Golden Eagle Classification: (Bird); State Conservation Status: Priority Species, State Protected. Federal Conservation Status: Least Concern; Game Status: Non-Game.
• Golden Eagles- In comparison, there are an estimated 30,000 golden eagles living in the U.S. (They live in western U.S. states plus Canada, Alaska and northern regions of Mexico. They can be occasionally seen in the east, especially during migration.
• Golden Eagles- are found throughout Nevada and prefer open country and hilly and mountainous areas
BALD EAGLES & GOLDEN EAGLES NESTS
BALD EAGLES NESTS
• Bald Eagles - nests are called (Eyrie) the word means “nest”, typically for an eagle and the term is also spelled “aerie” or “eyry”
•Bald Eagles - builds the largest nest of any North American bird, up to 13 ft deep and 8.2 feet wide and weight is 1.1 tons.
• Bald Eagles - A typical nest will range from 1.8 to 3 meters (6-10 feet) in diameter and about 1.8 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) high. The nest cavity, where the eggs are laid, will be about 30 to 40 centimeters (12 to 16 inches) in diameter and about 10 centimeters (4 inches) deep.
• Bald Eagles - Make nests by landscapes where their nest is located provides basic needs: water to drink, fish to eat, forest trees for shelter and a place to raise young, perches for hunting and resting typically nesting landscapes are forested and include rivers or lakes that offer areas of shallow water. They generally nest near coastlines, rivers and large lakes where there is adequate food supply.
• Bald Eagles - First year nests are usually smaller, and the nest size will increase each year as eagles re-use the nest and add sticks to it.
• Bald Eagles - Are very territorial birds, and most breeding pairs return to the same nest site year after year. They may use the same nest annually for as many as 35 years, or they may build additional nests in their nesting territory and alternate the use of them from year to year.
• Bald Eagles - Throughout the season, and sometimes even during fall and winter, eagles keep adding sticks to the nest, and reuse nests, continuing to build on to them for many years.
• Bald Eagles - Both male and female bring materials to the nest, but the female does most of the placement. They weave together sticks and fill in the cracks with softer material such as grass, moss, or cornstalks.
• Bald Eagles - Some eagle pairs build an alternate nest (usually within a mile from first nest) within the eagle territory, and the pair may take turns
• nesting between these from year-to-year
GOLDEN EAGLES NESTS
• Golden Eagles- The female chooses the nest site to breed.
• Golden Eagles - Prepare their nests one month in advance of egg-laying.
• Golden Eagles - Nests are huge, averaging some 5-6 feet wide, and 2 feet high, enclosing a bowl about 3 feet by 2 feet deep.
• Golden Eagles - The largest golden eagle nest on record was 20 feet tall, 8.5 feet wide.
• Golden Eagles - Their nests are described as: large, bulky platforms made of sticks, lined with grass, and other soft materials located on high cliffs or in large trees, and similar elevated structures (embankments, rocky hillsides, windmills, even on the ground on predator-free lake islands and open areas that provide views of hunting grounds.
• Golden Eagles - They may have several alternate nests within their territory and use them in rotation over different years.
• Golden Eagles - The nests are often used and rebuilt over many years, reaching immense sizes.
• Golden Eagles - like to build their nests on preferably cliffs, but it is not uncommon for them to build on man-made structures (electric towers, windmills) and are known to be sensitive to human activity and avoid developed areas.
• Golden Eagles - breeding pairs chose nests sites based on common criteria: (a)Proximity to hunting areas; (b)Tall enough places that provide a wide view of the surrounding ground; (c)Sites with the persistent updraft of air for effortless access; (d)Sites with unobstructed access for easy landing and take-off; (e) Sites inaccessible to land predators.
BALD & GOLDEN EAGLES EGGS & INCUBATION
• Bald Eagles - monogamous animals and maintain the same breeding pair year after year. If one of the birds dies or disappears then the surviving birds will find a mate to breed with.
• Bald Eagles - mate throughout the year depending on if the pair migrates.
• Bald Eagles - female eagle starts laying eggs when the “Bolen” or center of the nest, is lined with soft material.
•Bald Eagles - normally lay one to three eggs per year (every nesting season).
• Bald Eagles - once the female eagle lays the first egg, it takes at least two days to lay another egg. If the pair lays 3 eggs, all eggs are generally laid in 5 to 6 days.
• Bald Eagles - 40 eggs in the females’ lifetime.
• Bald Eagles - eggs hatch after about 35 days of incubation.
• Bald Eagles - eagle eggs hatch one to several days apart depending on when they were laid.
• Bald Eagles - the entire breeding cycle is about 7 months. If one of the adult pair dies, the remaining mate will stay in the territory and recruit a new mate very quickly.
• Bald Eagles - eaglets will fledge at about 12 weeks of age.
• Bald Eagles - The female incubates most of the time, but the male also helps, making sure eggs are protected, rolling the eggs to maintain same temperature on all parts of the eggs therefore preventing the developing embryo inside the egg from sticking to the eggs shell.
• Bald Eagles - both parents are vigilant in protection of the eggs from predators or intruders to the nest.
GOLDEN EAGLES EGGS & INCUBATION
Golden Eagle (Male & Female Couple)
• Golden Eagles- are monogamous and remain with their mate for life as long as both members of the pair live. If one of the birds dies or disappears then the surviving birds will find a mate to breed with.
• Golden Eagles- eggs hatch 40 to 45 days of incubation.
• Golden Eagles- lays 40 eggs in the females’ lifetime.
• Golden Eagles- breed once a year, normally lay one to three eggs per year (every nesting season).
• Golden Eagles- begin to lay eggs as early as January with mid-February being typical. Young hatch from mid-March and early April.
• Golden Eagle- Remain in the nest for 10 weeks, fledging in June. Fledglings remain in the breeding area for up to two months, during this time the adults continue to feed them.
• Golden Eagles- breeding period lasts four months, from moment first egg is laid until the day of the first chick leaves the nest.
• Golden Eagles- normally lay one to three eggs per year (every nesting season).
• Golden Eagle- female does most of the incubation during the day and night while the male brings food and protects the nest.
Difference in Diets for Bald Eagle & Golden Eagle
• Bald Eagles Primary eat fish or steal fish from other birds and supplement their diet with turtles, rabbits, snakes, birds, reptiles, carrion, ducks, amphibians, and small mammals.
• Golden Eagles Small mammals, main prey (rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, marmots, prairie dogs, also prey on other birds, reptiles). Can take down larger prey (cranes, wild ungulates, domestic livestock, pronghorns, bobcats, coyotes, goat, depends on prey availability) and scavenge on carron which is not their preferred food source.
• Bald Eagles have aquatic diet and scavenging and the Golden Eagle is more specialized terrestrial hunter.
• Bald Eagle & Golden Eagle are both opportunistic predators that will hunt a wide variety of animals or scavenge carrion depending on what is available in their habitat.
Differences in Hunting Prey (Bald Eagle & Golden Eagle) GOLDEN EAGLE
GOLDEN EAGLE
• Golden Eagles - chase down their prey and have a slightly longer tail for steering. Their keen eyesight allows them to spot prey from remarkable distances, swiftly executing a high-speed glide as they strike.
• Golden Eagles - can dive down and catch their prey at 150 mph.
BALD EAGLE
• Bald Eagles - Catch fish close to the surface of the water and need to compensate for light refracting in water to target their prey. Bald eagles use a method of precision swooping to snatch fish from the water with their talons. This technique requires steady flight and impeccable timing, illustrating their adaptation to diverse ecological niches.
• Bald Eagles - Can dive down and catch their prey at 100 mph. Differences in Features (Bald Eagle & Golden Eagle) BALD EAGLES
• Bald Eagles - Adult bald eagles are easily recognizable by their signature white heads and tails contrasting with their dark brown bodies. This color pattern is not just visually distinctive but also plays a crucial role in species identification from afar, particularly against the varied backdrops of their natural habitats.
• Bald Eagles - Often seen as a significant national symbol in America, are known for its majestic sweep and powerful wingspan, flying with a more steady and deliberate motion.
GOLDEN EAGLES
• Golden Eagles - These eagles boast a rich brown body highlighted by golden feathers adorning their heads and necks. Juvenile bald eagles do not get their white caps until later.
• Golden Eagles - Female is larger than the male Golden Eagle. • Golden Eagles as juveniles can look very similar to Bald Eagles.
• Golden Eagles - Have slightly longer wings and a characteristic ‘V’ shape when they soar through the skies.
• Bald Eagles - often seen as a significant national symbol in America, are known for its majestic sweep and powerful wingspan, flying with a more steady and deliberate motion.
• In the field, particularly when perched, bald eagles may look slightly larger, while golden eagles look longer and slender.
Mature Bald Eagle
- White head and tail with brown body and wings
- Yellow beek and feet
- Large Head
Mature Golden Eagle
- Brown body with gold patch around neck
- Beak is partially yellow: feet and yellow
- Small head
Immature Bald Eagle
- Variable white mottling on wings, belly, and breast
- No defined wing line on tail
- Large head
Immature Golden Eagle
- White and black line on tail
- Minor white mottling on back of wings; white patches on primaries
- Small head
https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assets/documents/government/departments/environment_and_sustainability/ccabmw/wildlife/golden_and_baldeagles/golden-features.png https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assets/documents/government/departments/environment_and_sustainability/ccabmw/wildlife/golden_and_baldeagles/baldeagle-features.png
Threats to Bald Eagle & Golden Eagles
1) Lead Poisoning
Treatment for both Bald Eagle (top) & Golden Eagle (Bottom)
• Lead Poisoning can kill eagles and prevent them from breeding. Contaminants: eagles are negatively affected by certain contaminants that are released into the environment by human activities. (Chemicals designed to kill unwanted plants, rodents, and other pets may inadvertently harm eagles as well.
2) Vehicles Can Collide with Eagles
Top-Bald Eagle rescued from front car grill (Bottom- Golden Eagle colliding with top of vehicle)
3)Wind Turbines Create a Dangerous Obstacle
Golden Eagle flying around wind turbine
Bald Eagle sitting near a wind turbine
• Over the past few decades, more than 2,000 Golden Eagles deaths by wind turbines have been documented in the United States. Collisions with wind turbines account for a much larger share of adult mortality than for young birds.
4)Power Line Electrocution (80% are bald & golden eagles)
5)Monofilament
• Dispose of unwanted fishing line in monofilament recycling bins.
• Using appropriate test lines for the desired fish and fishing technique will prevent breaking and loss of lines.
• Replacing your fishing line yearly will prevent wear-and-tear from temperature changes, ample sunlight making lines damaged or brittle
6)Habitat Destruction
• Bald Eagles prefer nesting in super-canopies with a commanding view of their surroundings; deforestation also plays a role in dwindling nest site opportunities. From vegetation removal, deprive native species of food, shelter, breeding areas and fragmentation
BALD & GOLDEN EAGLE SIGHTINGS IN NEVADA SIGHTINGS
• During Nevada winter months, the Bald Eagles migrate south to Lake Mead & Lake Mohave.
• (2025) 150 Bald Eagles visit areas of Nevada during winter, such as: (Reno, Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley.
• Recent sightings have been in Reno’s Virginia Lake and Veterans Parkway and Washoe Valley with reports of nesting in Washoe Valley. Recent sightings advise healthy and active eagle population, particularly in Northern Nevada.
• Mostly seen near Lakes and rivers because they can locate food, these locations include: (Washoe Valley, Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley, Truckee River)