Golden Eagles are present in Wisconsin, primarily as rare migratory visitors or winter residents rather than year-round breeding birds.
Golden Eagle Presence in Wisconsin
Golden Eagles are not year-round residents or breeders in Wisconsin. They are mainly observed during fall and spring migrations and as wintering individuals. They travel from Canadian breeding grounds to wintering habitats in the upper Midwest. The Driftless Area in southwestern Wisconsin, spanning parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, is a significant wintering ground due to its unglaciated terrain and open landscapes. Sightings are most common from late fall through early spring, arriving in November and departing by early March. Specific locations like Grant County and areas along the Mississippi River, including Buffalo County, are known for regular winter sightings.
Identifying Golden Eagles
Distinguishing Golden Eagles from Bald Eagles requires careful observation. Adult Golden Eagles are uniformly dark brown with a golden-brown wash on their head and neck, giving them their name. Adult Bald Eagles have a white head and tail. Juvenile Golden Eagles, though dark, display distinct white patches at the tail base and sometimes on the underside of their wings. Juvenile Bald Eagles have a more mottled appearance with white splotches and typically lack white on the tail base.
In flight, Golden Eagles soar with wings held in a slight “V” shape (dihedral), wingtip feathers spread like fingers. Their wings appear long and broad, tapering slightly towards the body, with a relatively small head and a noticeably long tail. Bald Eagles, when soaring, hold wings flat like a plank and often appear to have a larger head and bill. Golden Eagles have feathers extending down their legs to their feet; Bald Eagles have unfeathered, yellow skin on their lower legs.
Habitat and Diet
Golden Eagles prefer open country, including grasslands, prairies, and forest edges, especially in rugged terrain like the bluffs and ridges of the Driftless Area. These areas provide views necessary for hunting. They are less commonly found near human settlements or large bodies of water, unlike Bald Eagles.
Their diet consists of small to medium-sized mammals like rabbits, squirrels, and marmots. They also hunt birds, including wild turkeys, and scavenge carrion, such as deer carcasses, particularly when live prey is scarce during winter. Golden Eagles use their eyesight to spot prey while soaring or from a perch, then dive to capture it with their talons.
Conservation and Protection
Golden Eagles are protected under both federal and state laws in Wisconsin. They are covered by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which prohibits their “take” (killing, molesting, or disturbing the birds, their parts, nests, or eggs) without a permit. They are also protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which safeguards all migratory birds.
While rare in Wisconsin, their populations are monitored through efforts like the annual Golden Eagle Survey in the Driftless Area. Despite their protected status, Golden Eagles face threats, including habitat loss, collisions with wind turbines, and lead poisoning from ingesting bullet fragments in carrion. Conservation efforts focus on monitoring wintering populations and understanding migratory patterns to ensure their continued presence.