The Golden Eagle, one of North America’s largest raptors, is a formidable hunter of the open sky. This predator possesses a massive wingspan that can reach up to 7.4 feet, and its weight typically ranges from 6 to 14.8 pounds. The Coyote, by contrast, is a highly adaptable, medium-sized canine that occupies a wide range of habitats across the continent. An adult Coyote weighs, on average, between 25 and 35 pounds, establishing it as a near-apex terrestrial predator. These two species often inhabit the same open, mountainous, and scrubland territories, setting the stage for a rare but significant predatory interaction.
The Golden Eagle’s Predatory Profile
The Golden Eagle’s physical characteristics and hunting techniques demonstrate its ability to subdue prey much larger than itself. Its talons are large and robust, exerting immense pressure upon impact. This power is delivered through a hunting dive known as a stoop, where the eagle can reach speeds between 120 and 200 miles per hour, striking its target with lethal force.
The typical diet of this raptor consists primarily of medium-sized mammals like rabbits, ground squirrels, and marmots. Golden Eagles also take on larger quarry, including foxes, young deer, and domestic livestock such as lambs and goats. Although an eagle can only carry prey weighing up to about 8 pounds in flight, its capacity to kill and consume heavier animals on the ground is well-established.
When Coyotes Become Prey
A Golden Eagle will rarely attempt to predate a healthy, full-grown adult Coyote, but specific circumstances make the canine vulnerable. The primary targets of this avian predator are the young, with Golden Eagles easily taking Coyote pups. Pups are manageable prey, especially when surprised while foraging away from the protection of their den.
Predation on adults, while uncommon, occurs when the Coyote is already compromised. This includes animals that are sick, injured, or trapped in deep snow, which limits their defensive speed and agility. Attacks are observed most frequently during the winter and early spring months, a period when the eagle’s preferred small prey is scarce. In these instances, the eagle uses its speed and talons to inflict internal injuries, often targeting the lungs, rather than attempting to carry the heavy animal away.
Confirmed Observations and Scientific Evidence
The predation of Coyotes by Golden Eagles has been documented in scientific literature. A specific report detailed an observation of a Golden Eagle attacking and killing an adult male Coyote weighing 13.5 kilograms (about 30 pounds). Investigation of the carcass confirmed puncture wounds consistent with the eagle’s powerful talons, which had pierced the animal’s lungs.
The diet of Golden Eagles in some regions includes mammalian carnivores, with some studies showing them making up over 10% of the eagle’s prey items. Although this percentage often includes smaller fox kits and jackals, it confirms that canids are part of the eagle’s opportunistic feeding behavior. The relationship between the two species is also competitive, with observations of eagles and coyotes engaging in disputes over carrion. Eagles are also known to steal a kill from a coyote, a behavior known as kleptoparasitism.