USGS Home
Contact USGS
Search USGS

Breeding Range. (Fig. 44). Fairly common in the badlands along the Little Missouri River (most numerous in McKenzie, Billings, Golden Valley, and Slope Counties); rare along the portion of the Missouri River valley that borders Williams and McKenzie Counties. In 1964, four active nests were located in Billings County (V. Erickson) and one in Bowman County (H. A. Kantrud, RES). During the late 1960's, three active nests were found in one day in south-central McKenzie County (G. W. Enyeart). During the 1960's, a total of 14 nest sites were reported from Billings, Golden Valley and Slope Counties by Ed Bry, and 11 nest sites were reported from McKenzie County by E. Ellison.

Formerly, this species was found breeding along the Missouri River valley in the sector that extends downstream from the mouth of the Little Missouri River to the vicinity of Washburn in McLean County. About 10 miles west of Washburn, an active nest, located in 1940, had been used for many years according to local farmers (T. Hecker). During the early 1900's, several nests were observed on bluffs and buttes along the Missouri River in the vicinity of Garrison and a short distance west in the eastern part of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation (B. Neal and A. Welsh).

Breeding Habitat. The Golden Eagle may be characterized as a wide-ranging edge species that occurs in the more rugged portions of the badlands, and on nearby buttes and adjoining expanses of native prairie.

Nesting. Breeding season: Mid-March to late July; peak, early April to late June. Extreme egg dates (4 nests): March 27 [1964] in Billings County (V. Erickson) to May 1 [1960] in McKenzie County (A. M. Gammell). Extreme dates of nestlings (15 nests): April 29 [1964] in Billings County (V. Erickson) to July 22 [1960] in Billings County (A. Henderson).

Detailed description of 11 nest sites, indicate that 8 were situated in crevices or on ledges of cliffs, and 3 were situated in large trees. Five of the cliff nests were from 20 to 100 feet above level ground. The height above the ground of the three tree nests ranged from 30 to 75 feet. Two of these nests had been placed in cottonwoods (including one that was dead) and the other was in a dead green ash.

Indicated clutch size (8 nests): 2 to 3 eggs; mean, 2.4 eggs.

Figure 44. Breeding Range of Golden Eagle.

Biologist banding Golden Eagle nestlings. Billings County, June 1964 (photo by Ed Bry).