Golden Eagle
Aquila
chrysaetos
Records generalized to full township/ranges; true population density thus much thinner than symbolized. Uncommon and local in open forest and mountains, and near precipitous cliffs above shrub-steppe. Scattered records from King County, with higher densities in Kittitas County. Bulky nests located on cliffs or in large trees. Favored prey items include rabbits and marmots, although cliff-nesting pairs also take Rock Pigeons. Declining prey base of jackrabbits and ground squirrels appears to be limiting factor for population size in steppe habitats (J. Watson, pers. comm.).
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