The Golden Eagle is a magnificent bird of prey, one of the largest raptors in North America, dark brown overall with a golden wash over the head and nape that gives it its name; young birds show bold white patches at the base of the tail and in the wings. Powerful and superbly built for soaring, it holds its long wings in a slight upward V as it rides ridge winds and thermals. Though sometimes confused with young Bald Eagles, the Golden Eagle has fully feathered legs down to the toes and a smaller head and bill that project less in flight.
Primarily a bird of open and mountainous western country, the Golden Eagle occurs in Michigan mainly as an uncommon migrant and winter visitor, with birds from an eastern population that breeds in northern Canada passing through and wintering in the region, often over large marshes, forests, and open country. It hunts mammals and birds and readily takes carrion in winter. Encountering a Golden Eagle — soaring along a ridge in migration or hunting over a snowy marsh — is a memorable event for the state's raptor watchers.
Hunts medium-sized mammals such as rabbits, hares, and ground squirrels, along with birds, and readily feeds on carrion, especially in winter. A powerful predator, it takes prey in swift stoops and low, surprise attacks, and in Michigan wintering birds often rely heavily on carrion and waterfowl.
The Golden Eagle has a golden nape, fully feathered legs down to the toes, and a smaller head and bill that project less in flight. Young Bald Eagles have bare lower legs, a larger head and bill, and a more blotchy white pattern on the body and wing linings.
No. The Golden Eagle occurs in the state as an uncommon migrant and winter visitor, with birds from an eastern breeding population in northern Canada passing through and wintering in the region.
Over large marshes, forests, ridges, and open country during migration and winter, often soaring or hunting for mammals, birds, and carrion. It is uncommon, so a sighting is a notable event.
Juveniles have crisp white patches at the base of the flight feathers and a white tail with a broad black band; adults are uniformly dark with a faintly banded tail. Full adult plumage takes about five years, and the white shrinks a little with each molt.
No — they migrate singly or in twos, so the collective terms used for other raptors rarely apply. Michigan's Golden Eagles are usually picked out one at a time from a hawk watch.
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