Page 26 - 2008 DT 12 issues

America’s Eagles from mountain top to desert
floor throughout the Western

ueblo Park owes its existence U.S., Canada and Alaska, even
to one of many boulder-strewn into Mexico. They are found
Pwashes that carry seasonal on every continent. Golden
runoff from the Spring Mountains. Eagles are sacred to some Na-
Its paved path winds above the wash tive American tribes and are
bottom, from Rampart Blvd. to Lake known for their soaring grace,
Mead Blvd. in Summerlin. High above swooping down at great speed
the park on either side, various sub- to capture their prey.
divisions peek over the adobe walls Our national bird since
that confine the park below. For a Golden Eagle 1782, the Bald Eagle is the
little while, you can almost forget that only eagle unique to North
you’re in the middle of the suburbs. Just There are at least 59 species of America. This fearsome bird
don’t look up. eagles divided into four major groups: is black-brown with white tail and
On an early morning walk a few fish/sea, booted/true, snake/serpent, neck, yellow beak and feet, and can
years ago, I stopped to watch a bunch and giant/forest. They come in all reach 42 inches in length. Its amazing
of rabbits nibbling offerings of carrots, sizes and shapes, from the Philippine wing span can measure up to 8 feet.
cabbage and lettuce left daily under Eagle, and the Harpy Eagle—weighing The “bald” appellation refers to its
a Mesquite tree just off the pathway. in around 20 pounds with wingspans white head feathers, because “bald”
Suddenly, the nibblers scattered into of 8 feet across—to the pigeon-sized meant “white,” not “hairless,” in days
Crested Serpent Eagle, a climber that gone by.
the bushes. I turned around to see what Bald Eagles feed primarily on fish,
had set them off. Perched on a branch searches for his food on foot through
the African forests. Eagles (genus, but will also eat small animals and,
just above my head on the opposite Aquila) belong to the Accipiter family, occasionally, carrion. Their favorite
side of the path was a Golden Eagle. which includes hawks, falcons, kites and habitats are marshes, sea coasts and the
He eyed me for a long moment. How other birds of prey. They have exception- shorelines of rivers and lakes, where
had I not noticed him before? A large al vision and are formidable hunters. they feed on fish plucked from the
dark bird with a light golden colored The Golden Eagle is one of 30 water’s surface or snatched from other
head and neck, he was perhaps 3 feet “booted” eagles, with feathers grow- birds. They typically build very large
long. Probably judging that he could ing down its legs and covering its aeries, usually about 2 feet deep and 5
take me in a fight, he dropped down to toes. It is the widest-ranging of all feet across, at the top of tall trees.
a handrail not more than 5 feet away eagles, common in the West, but rare These almost tame, slow-moving
and stared. After some moments’ in the eastern part of the continent. It birds, which live as long as 40 years
consideration, he silently lifted off is one of the largest birds of prey in and mate for life, were almost exter-
and disappeared. North America, surpassed only by its minated by the turn of the 20 Century
th
The park was an unusual place for compatriots, the Bald Eagle and the due to farming, logging and the clear-
an eagle. Perhaps his large, keen eyes California Condor. ing of eagle habitat. Government spon-
had spotted the rabbits before making Golden Eagles, like all birds of sored programs also paid a bounty for
his way back to a large nest somewhere prey (raptors), spend most of their time each bird killed. Pesticides, especially
high on a rocky canyon ledge. His hunting. They are meat eaters that will DDT, adversely affected their breeding
larger, life-long mate must have been eat almost anything available in their success after the carnage abated.
sitting on her 2 eggs or she would have habitat. Small mammals, birds, snakes, In 1940, Congress passed the Bald
been hunting along with him. The older even turtles (dropped from great Eagle Protection Act, which prohibited
of the chicks would likely be the only heights to break open their shells), are possessing, killing or selling the spe-
surviving offspring. fair game. Their range is extensive, cies. The Golden Eagle was added to
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