Colorado Bird of Prey - help? (1 Viewer)

axsever · Apr 7, 2005

Good afternoon!

I'm by no means a bird specialist but I recently had a close encounter with some birds of prey out on the high plains of Colorado.

I quite accidently stumbled across the nest pictured in the attached jpg while doing some climbing.

I came face to face (about 1 meter) from the parent of these lovely little guys, it was an awe inspiring thrill, though a bit scary. The parent bird on the nest had, in my estimate a wingspan of at least 5 1/2 feet. After looking one another in the eye for a moment he took off with an astounding leap, I could feel the wind on my face. I was not able to get a picture of the parent.

After I settled down for a few moments after meeting mom or dad I looked down and found myself only a few feet away from this nest. I took two quick pictures and left immediately not wanting to intrude on their home any more than I already had.

I know nothing about birds, I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me identify what type of bird I shared my close encounter with. Working from memory I would have to say the adult was mostly brown with red highlights, I was pretty much centered on the beak and the claws in the moments I had to look (as my arms were pretty much tied up in the technical climb I was on and I really do like having two eyes).

I'm sorry I wasn't able to take a picture giving an impression of scale at all, as I said I was in a hurry to get out of their home. The other picture I took is quite blurry, this picture really is the best I could provide.

Thanks!

cavan wood · Apr 7, 2005

Rocky cliff for a nest, big brown bird with reddish highlights, dead rabbit = golden eagle (I think)

But wait for someone that actually knows these birds before you trust my logic.

Scott

axsever · Apr 7, 2005

cavan wood said:
Rocky cliff for a nest, big brown bird with reddish highlights, dead rabbit = golden eagle (I think)

But wait for someone that actually knows these birds before you trust my logic.

Scott

After doing some image searches for golden eagles I think you are dead on!

Not quite a rocky nest....But I can see why they like it. It's actually located on an abandoned building I was exploring.

cavan wood · Apr 7, 2005

Technical climb indeed .... and it certainly adds to the surprise of finding an eagle there.

Scott

Katy Penland · Apr 8, 2005

Hi, Axsever! A warm welcome to you from all of us on staff here at BirdForum!

Your bird was too big for a Red-tail (4' wingspan) but a little small for a Golden Eagle (6 1/2'), but I think Scott's right that the Goldie is the most likely raptor under the circumstances. What an amazing experience! :t:

Tim100 · Apr 8, 2005

Face to face with a golden eagle while climbing - a scary but amazing experience I am sure!

Out of interest why did you take a camera with you?

Blackstart · Apr 8, 2005

Isn't there a BF policy of no nest photos?

axsever, you may be interested in knowing that climbing is a major threat to birds that nest in rock faces in Europe. It's effect on the Eagle Owl population in Slovenia, for example, is well documented, and the disturbance caused by this activity is cited more than once in the country's IBA (Important Bird Areas) book.

-Adam

JANJ · Apr 8, 2005

I have the same question as Blackstart!

axsever · Apr 8, 2005

Had I ANY idea that there was a family of birds nesting at this location I would NEVER have approached it. This isn't your typical climbing area either.

The nest is actually located on an abandoned building. I was there doing some photography.

I saw the bird, saw the nest, snapped off two quick photos and left. I have not and will not share the specific location of the nest in hopes of protecting their nice quiet habitat.

My main hope in identifying the birds was to find out if their nesting space is protected. If it is protected I had hoped to alert local wildlife officials of its presence in hopes of getting the property owner (BLM, I believe) to seal off the property so nobody else stumbles upon or, god forbid, tampers with the nest.

If I voilated forum rules by posting the nest picture than my most sincere apologies, I throw myself on the mercy of the mods and will remove the picture.

I don't climb rocks - just steel and concrete, and I'm hard core about the belief of leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures:

www.subciety.org

axsever · Apr 8, 2005

Quick note - when I stated the span at 5 1/2 feet I was actually rounding down my real estimate, honestly face to face it felt like 10, looked like 6-8, I lopped a couple feet off because of my suprised condition during the sighting. I'm sure the bus looks a lot bigger as it bears down on you.

Tim100 · Apr 8, 2005

Perhaps you should remove the second photo and your reference to it as some people with bad intentions might be watching this forum.

axsever · Apr 8, 2005

Tim100 said:
Perhaps you should remove the second photo and your reference to it as some people with bad intentions might be watching this forum.

Good idea - done and done.

Checking the Colorado Division of Wildlife website I don't see the Golden Eagle listed ther as a protected species. I have submitted a contact form asking for more information though, we'll see what they have to say.

If anyone here knows more about what I could do to make sure this location is preserved your input would be appreciated.

searobin · Apr 8, 2005

axsever said:
Had I ANY idea that there was a family of birds nesting at this location I would NEVER have approached it. This isn't your typical climbing area either.

www.subciety.org

Axsever, sorry you had to explain the obvious.
Thanks for the great story, keep climbing and be safe.
Searobin

crispycreme · Apr 8, 2005

If anyone here knows more about what I could do to make sure this location is preserved your input would be appreciated.

You might want to get in touch with the Colorado Audubon Society:

http://www.auduboncolorado.org/

Or, you can contact BLM's Colorado division:

http://www.co.blm.gov/offices.htm

While Golden Eagles are not protected by the Endangered Species Act, they are still protected birds. All non-game non-invasive birds are protected in various degrees in the U.S. The BLM should be responsive, or at least allow other agencies (such as Audubon or perhaps a local Raptor society) to ensure the safety of the bird by either protecting the site or, if it's in a precarious location, to have it carefully relocated (unlikely since there's already hatchlings, one would think).

Fortunately for the eagle, raptors are rather popular birds in the West, and given their relative uncommonness, and given the fact that there's "cute babies" involved, you'd think people would be willing to assist.

Tim100 · Apr 8, 2005

axsever said:
Good idea - done and done.

Checking the Colorado Division of Wildlife website I don't see the Golden Eagle listed ther as a protected species. I have submitted a contact form asking for more information though, we'll see what they have to say.

If anyone here knows more about what I could do to make sure this location is preserved your input would be appreciated.

Nice one axsever - better to be cautious.

Good luck with your info searching and continue to enjoy your climbing.

Colorado Bird of Prey - help? (1 Viewer)

More options

axsever

Member

Attachments

cavan wood

Well-known member

axsever

Member

cavan wood

Well-known member

Katy Penland

Well-known member

Tim100

Well-known member

Blackstart

Saxophonus pinus

JANJ

Well-known member

axsever

Member

axsever

Member

Tim100

Well-known member

axsever

Member

searobin

Well-known member

crispycreme

Well-known member

Tim100

Well-known member

Similar threads

Users who are viewing this thread