"Goldie" - a Golden Eagle

Goldie This mature female golden eagle was found walking open rangeland in Wyoming after ingesting lead shot, probably coming from an animal she ate. It wasn't enough lead to kill her, but she did suffer permanent brain and central nervous system damage. She can fly 12-15 feet high, but lacks the ability to gain altitude and hunt for herself, so she can't be released back into the wild. She weighs 15 pounds and has a 7.5' wing span with 200 psi of gripping pressure in her feet.

"Goldie" became part of OWL's education team in September 1994. Traveling to schools she helps individuals learn about the Golden Eagle Reintroduction Program going on in Kansas.

Fun Facts

Golden eagles belong to the Booted Eagle family, so named because their feathered legs resemble boots or trousers. (Often confused with immature bald eagles, their "boots" help differentiate them.)
They nest on cliffs, large trees and sometimes earthen mounds.
Found in North America and Europe.
Pairs mate for life.
Primarily a red meat eater -- rabbits, marmots, prairie dogs and squirrels.
Talons are sharp and strong, and are used for defense and picking up and holding prey. The back talon, or halux, can be 4-5 inches long.
Has 7000 feathers on its body with a total weight of less than 21 ounce.
Can dive at speeds of up to 175 mph.
Eagles ride thermals (column of hot air) gliding from one to the next to prevent exhaustion during hunting.
Golden eagles have been known to become excited by the color red and attack it.
Eggs are incubated by the female for approximately 35-45 days.
Young fledge at about 70-77 days.
Average life span is 20+ years in the wild.

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