Golden Eagles in Eastern North America

     It's always a thrill to see a wild, stately golden eagle any place it may be at any time.  I have seen several of those majestic, diurnal raptors in southeastern Pennsylvania over the years, in November when they are migrating south for the winter and here and there in deciduous forests near farmland in winter.  They are big and truly magnificent in powerful, graceful flight, pumping and soaring along with seemingly little effort. 
     I recently saw on line that many adult golden eagles migrate north by the hundreds along the Appalachian Mountains of Central Pennsylvania during March.  They are one of the earliest of raptor migrants during the vernal season.  Younger birds that probably aren't paired to raise young go north later.  And goldens migrate south late in fall, peaking during November, into December.
     I've recently read that up to 5,000 golden eagles currently live in eastern North America, which is more than I thought are here.  They nest mostly in the mixed coniferous/deciduous forests in eastern Canada and winter in deciduous woods among agricultural areas in every state east of the Mississippi River.  But they particularly winter along the Central Appalachian forests, especially in the wooded mountains of Virginia and West Virginia.
     In winter, golden eagles scavenge dead white-tailed deer, farm animals and other creatures in the wooded hills and farmland valleys of eastern North America, including in southeastern Pennsylvania.  And because they are large and powerful, goldens also hunt and kill wild turkeys, gray squirrels, snowshoe hares, cottontail rabbits, two species of foxes and other critters of comparable sizes.   
     Young golden eagles fledge in July when prey is abundant.  They learn to fly and hunt during the rest of summer, into autumn, building skills and strength to last them a lifetime of hunting for prey, migrations and reproduction. 
     The plumage of each golden eagle is dark brown all over with a golden sheen of feathers on the back of the neck, giving this species its common name.  Like all hawk, eagle and owl species, female goldens are larger than their mates.  Adult female goldens average 12 pounds, while adult males average 8 pounds.  Like all raptors, golden eagles have long, sharp talons powered by strong feet and legs.  And they have big, powerful beaks, with the top mandible hooked down for tearing up the animals they kill or scavenge into bite-sized pieces.
     Be on Appalachian Mountain tops to experience the magnificent golden eagles migrating north to their nesting territories during March and into April.  But they could be anywhere when pushing north.  Watch for these majestic raptors soaring along the southwest-running Appalachians during northwest winds when migrating south in November.  And look for them in their wintering areas of wooded mountains and cropland valleys from December through February.  They are always stately in appearance no matter where they are or what they are doing.