Golden Eagles are known to be opportunistic scavengers, feeding on a variety of dead animals in addition to their primary prey. This behavior is a common practice among raptors, as it provides an easy source of food. In fact, studies have shown that Golden Eagles are one of the most frequent scavengers to attend wolf kill-sites during the winter months.
Golden Eagles and Scavenging
Golden Eagles are known to feed on carrion, particularly during the breeding season when it may be more readily available. This behavior has been observed in various parts of their range, where the eagles take advantage of the abundance of dead animals.
A study of Golden Eagle dietary habits found that they are one of the most frequent scavengers to attend wolf kill-sites in winter. This suggests that Golden Eagles are adept at locating and taking advantage of these readily available food sources.
Prey Selection and Hunting Behavior
While Golden Eagles do scavenge on dead animals, they are also formidable predators, known to take a wide variety of prey species. They are opportunistic hunters, with their diet largely determined by the local availability and abundance of prey.
Prey selection includes mammals, birds, reptiles, and even insects, with most prey weighing around half the weight of the preying eagle. In some cases, they have been known to take prey as large as adult pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and caribou.
Golden Eagles have been observed to dominate lone coyotes at many carrion or kill sites, with one instance of a healthy adult male coyote being killed by a golden eagle. They have also been known to steal prey from other predators, such as bobcats and wildcats.
Adaptability and Survival Strategies
The ability of Golden Eagles to scavenge on dead animals, as well as their prowess as predators, contributes to their success as a species. Their opportunistic hunting style allows them to adapt to different environments and food sources, making them one of the most successful raptors in the world.
In areas where carrion is readily available, such as near wolf kill-sites, Golden Eagles may rely more heavily on scavenging as a food source. However, in other areas, they may focus more on hunting live prey to meet their dietary needs.
Conclusion
In summary, Golden Eagles are known to eat dead animals, a behavior known as scavenging. This is a common practice among raptors, as it provides an easy source of food. However, Golden Eagles are also formidable predators, capable of taking a wide variety of prey species. Their opportunistic hunting style and adaptability allow them to thrive in diverse environments, making them one of the most successful raptors in the world.
References:
– Do Golden Eagles Eat Dead Animals?
– Golden Eagle Overview
– Golden Eagles and Wolf Kill-sites
– Dietary Biology of the Golden Eagle
– Audubon Field Guide: Golden Eagle
