Yes, there are golden eagles in Ontario, but they are not as common as bald eagles. Golden eagles are one of the biggest and fastest birds of prey in North America, with a wingspan ranging from 185 to 220 centimeters and the ability to dive at speeds of over 240 kilometers per hour.

Identifying Golden Eagles in Ontario

Golden eagles are dark brown with golden-brown feathers on the back of their head and neck. Immature golden eagles can be distinguished from full-grown adults by the white patches at the “wrists” toward the wing tips, whereas adults wouldn’t have white at all.

Habitat and Migration Patterns of Golden Eagles in Ontario

Image source: Golden Eagle by Atillak

Golden eagles are found throughout much of the northern hemisphere, including North America, Asia, northern Africa, and Europe. Their preferred habitat is open country near mountains, hills, and riverside cliffs, but they are also found in a variety of habitats, ranging from the Arctic to the desert. In Ontario, golden eagles are often observed during the breeding season and migration.

Not all golden eagles migrate, but most in northern and eastern Canada usually fly south in the autumn.

Diet and Hunting Behavior of Golden Eagles in Ontario

Golden eagles have a varied diet, typically hunting small mammals such as rabbit, hare, ground squirrel, prairie dog, and marmot. However, they can also kill larger prey, including crane, swan, deer, seal, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, coyote, badger, and bobcat.

These fearsome predators search for prey while soaring high in the sky, flying close to the ground, or from a perch. Once they’ve spotted their potential prey, they use their talons to capture it. Golden eagles also feed on carrion, catch fish, steal from nests, and take food from other birds.

Conservation Status of Golden Eagles in Ontario

In Ontario, the golden eagle is listed as endangered on the Species at Risk in Ontario List under the Endangered Species Act. Golden eagle populations are threatened by the poisoning of prey through toxic chemicals or lead as a by-product from hunting, collisions with vehicles, wind turbines and other structures, as well as electrocution from power poles.

Golden Eagles on Nature Conservancy of Canada Properties

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) owns several properties across the country where golden eagles have been observed during the breeding season and migration. Many of these properties are large, connected tracts of natural habitat, which provide the basic necessities for these large predators.

Conclusion

While golden eagles are not as common as bald eagles in Ontario, they are still an impressive and important part of the province’s avian diversity. Efforts to protect and conserve their habitat are crucial to ensuring the continued presence of these magnificent birds in the region.

References:
– 10 Facts About Bald Eagles
– Golden Eagle
– Eagles in Ontario
– Golden Eagle Range Map
– Golden Eagle Pamphlet