Distribution, density, and land cover associations of wintering Golden Eagles in the Southern Great Plains

Authors

Natasia R. Mitchell, Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409Follow
Clint W. Boal, U.S. Geological Survey, Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409Follow
Ben R. Skipper, Department of Biology, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX 76909Follow

Abstract

In addition to its resident Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), the Southern Great Plains of North America receives an influx of migrant Golden Eagles each winter. However, little current or quantitative information is available regarding eagle presence or the species’ land cover associations across the region. During the winters of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, we surveyed Golden Eagles along 51 approximately 55-km-long road survey transects within a 136,800-km² area of the Southern Great Plains of eastern New Mexico and the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma. Our goal was to estimate the winter density of Golden Eagles in the region and to evaluate their land cover associations. Detections were low, with an estimated regional winter density of 0.31 eagles per 100 km². We found that Golden Eagles were detected in rangeland cover types in greater proportion, and in agricultural and other land cover types in lesser proportion, to their availability. Our results provide regulatory agencies with data that may facilitate better-informed decision making for eagle conservation in the region.


Además, de la residencia del águila real (Aquila chrysaetos), las Grandes Llanuras del Sur de América del Norte, reciben una afluencia de águilas reales migrantes cada invierno. Sin embargo, en la actualidad existe poca información cuantitativa disponible acerca de la presencia de águilas o de su cobertura terrestre en la región. Durante el invierno de 2014–2015 y 2015–2016, registramos al águila real a lo largo de 51 transectos de prospección de carreteras de aproximadamente 55 km de largo, dentro de un área de 136,800 km² al sur de las Grandes Llanuras del este de Nuevo México y los meandros de Texas y Oklahoma. Nuestro objetivo fue estimar la densidad de águilas reales durante el invierno en la región y evaluar su cobertura terrestre. La detección de águilas reales fue baja, con un estimado de densidad invernal regional de 0.31 águilas por 100 km². Encontramos que las águilas reales se detectaron en mayor proporción en pastizales, y en menor proporción en tierras agrícolas y de otros tipos. Nuestros resultados proporcionan información a las agencias reguladoras, que podría facilitar una toma de decisiones mejor informada para la conservación del águila en la región.

Recommended Citation

Mitchell, Natasia R.; Boal, Clint W.; and Skipper, Ben R. (2020) "Distribution, density, and land cover associations of wintering Golden Eagles in the Southern Great Plains," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 80: No. 4, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol80/iss4/2