Canada is home to a diverse range of predatory bird species, from small falcons to large eagles and owls. When it comes to size, the title of the largest predatory bird in Canada goes to the Golden Eagle.
The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the most powerful and impressive birds of prey in North America. With a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet and weighing up to 15 pounds, it is larger and more massive than other raptors like Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, and Great Horned Owls. Golden Eagles use their large size and sharp talons to take down prey as large as deer fawns and coyote pups.
Physical Description
The Golden Eagle is a large, dark brown raptor with golden-brown plumage on the back of the head and neck. Adults have dark brown wings and tail, with a pale golden-brown wash over the back and crown. The legs are fully feathered, and the feet are yellow with large, curved black talons used for grasping prey.
Golden Eagles have a massive beak that curves downwards, perfect for tearing flesh. Their eyes are large and positioned forward on the head, providing excellent binocular vision. The feathers over the beak give it a fierce, furrowed brow appearance.
Male and female Golden Eagles are similar in appearance, with females being slightly larger on average. Juvenile birds are mostly dark brown, taking on more gold plumage as they mature over 4-5 years.
Some key physical features and measurements of Golden Eagles include:
Wingspan | 6.6 – 7.5 ft |
Body Length | 27 – 33 in |
Weight | 7 – 15 lbs |
Range and Habitat
Golden Eagles live across western North America, from Alaska to Mexico. In Canada, they are found in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, and northern Ontario.
They inhabit open country across a variety of habitats, including grasslands, shrublands, deserts, forests, and alpine areas. Golden Eagles are most numerous in mountainous areas with cliffs and crags for nesting and roosting. They avoid dense forests and developed areas.
Golden Eagles are migratory, spending summers breeding in Canada and the northern U.S. before migrating south for winter. However, some eagles overwinter in southern Canada during mild winters.
Diet and Hunting
Golden Eagles are apex predators that hunt live prey. They feed mainly on small- to medium-sized mammals like hares, marmots, ground squirrels, and prairie dogs. Larger prey occasionally attacked include foxes, bobcats, martens, young deer and pronghorns, and domestic cats and small dogs.
Birds make up the second largest portion of the Golden Eagle diet, including grouse, pheasants, geese, and corvids. Reptiles, fish, and carrion are also eaten.
Golden Eagles hunt by soaring high above the ground and scanning for prey with their sharp vision. Once prey is spotted, they swoop down at high speeds, reaching over 100 mph, and strike with their talons. Prey is carried off to a perch and torn apart with the beak and feet.
They are also known to drive prey off cliffs or hillsides and retrieve the carcass below. Sometimes Golden Eagles hunt cooperatively in pairs or family groups to take down large prey.
Breeding and Life Cycle
Golden Eagles reach sexual maturity around 4-6 years of age. They mate for life and use the same nest site year after year, often for decades.
Breeding season occurs from January through August, peaking in March through July. Nests are immense structures built high up on cliff ledges or tops of large trees or utility poles. They are made of sticks, branches, and other plant material lined with bark, grass, or other soft lining.
Females lay 1-4 eggs that are incubated for 35-45 days. The young fledge at 9-12 weeks, but remain dependent on the parents for food and training for another 6-12 weeks.
Young eagles will stay within their parents’ territory for several years until they are mature enough to breed and establish a territory of their own. Golden Eagles can live over 30 years in the wild.
Threats and Conservation Status
Golden Eagle populations declined historically due to habitat loss, illegal shooting, and poisoning. They are still vulnerable to these threats in some regions today.
Collisions with vehicles and power lines also take a toll on eagles. However, increased legal protections have allowed populations to rebound and expand their range in many areas.
Due to this, the Golden Eagle has a conservation status of Least Concern. Their numbers today are estimated between 55,000-160,000 globally. They are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act in Canada, along with the Bald and Crowned Eagle Protection Act in the U.S.
Ongoing conservation efforts for Golden Eagles focus on protecting habitat, managing prey populations, preventing illegal killing, and reducing mortality from human-related causes. If such efforts continue, the future looks bright for these majestic raptors in North America.
Comparison to Other Canadian Raptors
The Golden Eagle dwarfs most other predatory birds found in Canada. Here’s how it compares to some other large raptor species:
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is iconic as the national symbol of the U.S., but it’s quite a bit smaller than the Golden. Bald Eagles have wingspans of 6-7 feet and weigh 8-14 pounds. They occur across Canada but are most numerous in coastal and lakeside habitats. Bald Eagles feed mainly on fish instead of mammals.
Red-tailed Hawk
Probably the most common and widespread hawk in North America, the Red-tailed Hawk is much smaller than a Golden Eagle. Red-tails have wingspans around 4 feet and weigh 2-4 pounds. They occur in diverse habitats across Canada. Red-tailed Hawks are generalist predators feeding on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl has a similar bulk and wingspan to the Golden Eagle but weighs much less. Great Horned Owls weigh only 3-5 pounds with wingspans of 3.5-5 feet. These powerful nocturnal hunters take prey ranging from rabbits to skunks to geese and crows. They occur through most forested regions of Canada.
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owls are a similar length but are slimmer and lighter than Golden Eagles. They have wingspans of 4.5-5.5 feet but only weigh 3-6 pounds. Snowy Owls breed in Arctic regions of Canada and only come south during winter irruptions when food is scarce. They specialize in hunting small rodents like lemmings.
Conclusion
With its large size, widespread range, and position at the top of the food chain, the Golden Eagle stands alone as Canada’s largest predatory bird. No other raptor native to Canada comes close to matching the size and power of this apex predator. From its commanding height and sharp vision to its massive talons, the Golden Eagle is one of the most impressive avian hunters in North America. Its future seems secure if conservation measures continue to protect the habitats and prey species relied on by these iconic birds.