Yes, there are golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Northern Virginia. Golden eagles are known to migrate through the region, primarily along the edge of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Front, and may also winter in Northern Virginia.
Migratory Patterns of Golden Eagles in Northern Virginia
Golden eagles are often associated with small forest openings along ridgelines during the winter months in Northern Virginia. They typically migrate southward between October and early December, and northward during April and May, with wintering eagles spending the months of December through March in the Commonwealth.
Identification of Golden Eagles in Northern Virginia
Golden eagles are often confused with immature bald eagles due to similarities in size and coloration. However, adult golden eagles have a distinct golden color on the rear crown, nape, and sides of the neck, while adult bald eagles have a white head and tail.
Golden Eagle Research in Northern Virginia
In just 14 years, the golden eagle has gone from virtually unknown in Virginia to a species with a vast amount of data to inform future management decisions. The Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group (EGEWG), an international partnership founded in 2010, aims to address research gaps and gather basic information on the golden eagle population that breeds in northeastern Canada and winters in Virginia, West Virginia, and neighboring states.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is an active member of the EGEWG and engages in golden eagle research in the mountains of Virginia. Between 2009 and 2013, DWR researchers trapped and attached transmitters to more than 35 golden eagles, contributing significantly to the EGEWG’s data collection.
Habitat and Feeding Habits of Golden Eagles in Northern Virginia
Golden eagles are often associated with small forest openings along ridgelines during the winter months in Northern Virginia, where they feed on medium-sized mammals such as rabbits and scavenge on carcasses.
Challenges and Conservation Efforts for Golden Eagles in Northern Virginia
Despite the increase in knowledge about golden eagles in Virginia, there is still much to learn about their movements and ecology during the winter months. Basic data is needed relating to habitat use, winter range size, and other aspects of their ecology.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group are actively engaged in research and conservation efforts to better understand and protect the golden eagle population in Northern Virginia and the surrounding region.
Conclusion
In conclusion, golden eagles are indeed present in Northern Virginia, primarily during their migratory and wintering periods. While their numbers may be relatively small, the ongoing research and conservation efforts by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group are helping to shed light on the ecology and behavior of these majestic birds in the region.
Reference:
– Discovering Virginia’s Golden Eagles
– Eagles in Virginia
– Golden Eagle
– Eagles in Virginia
– Golden Eagles in Loudoun County, Virginia
