The haunting raptor: Yellowstone’s golden eagles

Abstract

For many who live in North America, when picturing an eagle, the image of a large magnificent bird with a distinct white head and tail comes to mind. Rightfully, the bald eagle has garnered much attention as a national symbol of the United States (US), nearly brought to extinction from widespread organochlorine pesticide use (e.g., DDT, dichloro- diphenyl- trichloroethane; Anderson 1972, Baril et al. 2015). Previously listed at the federal level as an endangered species downlisted in 1985 and removed from the list in 2007, the bald eagle has been studied extensively across its range, including 38 years of monitoring in Yellowstone National Park (Yellowstone; YNP). However, a second eagle species, equally magnificent and widely distributed throughout Earth’s northern hemisphere, also resides in YNP but has been relatively neglected in terms of scientific study. Unlike the bald eagle, the golden eagle does not have such conspicuous characteristics - instead it is dark brown throughout with brilliant golden feathers on the back of its head and neck, and subtle gray barring in the tail (Fig. 11.1). The golden eagle is, however, an iconic apex predator tied to human culture through spiritual beliefs, reverence, and, like many other predators, persecution as a result of misunderstanding.