All You Need to Know About Golden Eagle Migration

The Golden Eagle, or Apelia chrysaetos, is a very cosmopolitan predatory bird that inhabits both the Arctic tundra and the desert mountains. Even in the best of circumstances, it may be difficult to live in such harsh environments, so how do these birds survive? When it comes to migration, we often associate it with birds like geese, hummingbirds, and swallows, but you may be shocked to hear that Golden Eagles migrate as well.

Take a seat back and read along as we go over all you need to know about the where, when, and how of Golden Eagle migration!

Do Golden Eagles travel throughout different regions?

With both stationary and migrating populations, golden eagles are partially migratory birds. A. c. canadensis, the subspecies found in North America, migrates across a large portion of the continent; some birds can traverse hundreds of kilometers between their breeding and non-breeding habitats.

The western half of the United States, along with a large portion of southern Mexico and northern Canada, is home to golden eagles all year round. Every winter, when migratory birds from Alaska and Northern Canada seek refuge from the severe northern climate, their numbers soar.

While some southern breeders may be fairly stationary when circumstances permit, golden eagles from the eastern part of the United States and Canada are migratory birds.

Not moving When Golden Eagles first get their freedom, they could go far. But instead of traveling a predetermined migratory path, the young birds take off in any direction. These gregarious, long-lived raptors begin to reproduce at the age of five.

Learn more about the Golden Eagle migration schedule and when to expect to see these birds in your region of the globe by reading on.

Golden Eagles migrate when?

Fall and spring are when golden eagles migrate. They may start their spring migration as early as February, and it usually ends by May. They leave in late August and return in December. Their timing is influenced by several factors, including age, latitude, local weather patterns, and the effectiveness of their nesting season.

Dates of arrival and departure from a chosen state:

Alaska is home to golden eagle nests. Though some intrepid birds stay in the Last Frontier State throughout the year, they typically arrive in March and depart by October.
Pennsylvania: During their extended trek from October to December, passage migrants might be seen traveling north in March.
Montana: Although there are golden eagles all year round in Montana, a significant influx occurs in the spring and autumn. They migrate south, peaking in October and returning in March to breed in the north.
Tennessee: From November to March, Golden Eagles spend their winter months in Tennessee.
Texas: They are year-round in the eastern part of the Lone Star State, but from September to March, migrating populations overwinter there.

What causes Golden Eagles to migrate?

Although golden eagles are territorial birds with a restricted number of nesting sites, they may spend the whole year in their breeding grounds in the best environments found in the American West. In order to capitalize on the fleeting seasonal abundance in the far north, northern breeders have evolved.

When snow and ice cover the ground and their food either hibernate or migrates south to warmer regions, they are forced to return south in order to avoid the severe winter conditions on their nesting grounds in Canada and Alaska.

In the best environments found in the American West, golden eagles may spend the whole year in their nesting grounds.

Golden Eagles migrate how far?

The distances that golden eagles migrate vary widely, based on where they nest and hibernate. The longest migrations may take up to 3000 miles or more, and some birds can cover more than 250 miles in a single day!

The Golden Eagle migration lasts for how long?

Depending on the distance, hunting possibilities, and weather patterns along the route, the Golden Eagle migration may take a week or two. Compared to their spring breeding migration, they move more slowly on their southern autumn migration.

Golden Eagles migrate to where?

In North America, golden eagles may be divided into two distinct geographic groups: the large population in the west and the smaller population in the east.

The majority of the eastern population of Golden Eagles travel along the western ridges of the Appalachian Mountains from northern Canada to states like Tennessee and Kentucky in the American Southeast. The western population migrates between breeding areas as far north as Alaska and overwintering habitats as far south as Mexico along the Rocky Mountains.

Are Golden Eagles always in flight?

Due in part to their need on certain weather conditions for optimal flying performance, golden eagles do not continuously migrate across great distances. Tracking studies indicate that these birds may pause for days or even weeks to hunt and investigate certain locations. They may also spend time in ideal hunting sites.

Does every Golden Eagle migrate?

The climate and availability of prey in their native areas influence the migratory tactics used by golden eagles. In most of the West, these birds are year-round residents, whereas the eastern population of North America is nearly exclusively migratory.

The following regions are traversed by migrants from the east:

Do Golden Eagles Migrate from Canada?

They go from the Great Lakes Region via Wisconsin and Michigan in the upper Midwest and down the Appalachian Mountain range to Georgia and Alabama in the south.

In Canada, golden eagles are common and migrate throughout much of the nation. These birds often breed in the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and The Yukon in the West. The majority of the tiny eastern population nests in Northern Ontario, Labrador, and Quebec.

Do Golden Eagles Leave the United Kingdom to Migrate?

There is no migration of golden eagles in the United Kingdom. The breeding population does not seem to be mixing with birds from continental Europe and is mostly restricted to Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

In winter, where do Golden Eagles go?

During the winter, migratory Golden Eagles go south, mostly following the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains in the east and west, respectively. Florida in the Southeast and Central Mexico in the South represent the southernmost points of their overwintering range. Year after year, these birds often winter in the same areas.

In summer, where do Golden Eagles go?

Adult Golden Eagles may be found across Central Mexico, where they are the national bird, and Northern Alaska during the summer months, anywhere there are good places for them to nest and hunt. Every year, migratory birds usually return to the same nesting locations in Canada and Alaska. While breeders from the eastern population return to Northern Quebec and Labrador, there is a significant breeding density in the Northwest of Alaska.

The Trip: Difficulties and Adjustments

The Golden Eagle migration may take many weeks, traveling thousands of kilometers over breathtaking and challenging landscapes. As adults, these birds are at the top of the avian food chain and are not threatened by predators when in flight. Though legally protected, unintentional lead ammunition poisoning from eating shot wildlife and stomach heaps remains a significant concern, and wind turbines may be a threat to some species of birds.

Master pilots are golden eagles. These birds make use of rising air currents, weather systems, and prevailing winds rather than just flailing their enormous wings in any direction.

Lift is produced by the daytime rising temperatures and upward-directed breezes from steep inclines. When properly used, this free energy enables the birds to ascend and glide by utilizing gravity alone. Some days it’s possible to witness hundreds of Golden Eagles soaring over a given region during their migration since ideal flight paths sometimes follow limited corridors that funnel numerous birds together.

Not only do other birds move through these places, but geese and other waterfowl make easy prey. Along the journey, however, they will seek a range of food, including small animals and the corpses of bigger wildlife, such as deer. Here is additional information regarding the Golden Eagle diet.

The Golden Eagle migration may take many weeks, traveling thousands of kilometers over both breathtaking and challenging landscapes.

FAQs

Do eagles migrate throughout the night?

After dusk, golden eagles don’t migrate. These massive birds migrate throughout the day, when wind and rising air currents make the journey more simpler, after sleeping through the night.

Do Golden Eagles travel in flocks in pairs?

Golden Eagles are most likely to be seen traveling alone, although they may sometimes form groups, or “kettles,” of several dozen birds.