A survey of Golden Eagles in northern Mexico in 1984 and recent records in central and southern Baja California peninsula

Results of a Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) survey in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, Chihuahua, and Sonora in 1984, and records of eagles in the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula are presented. Results showed that Golden Eagles were common in all northern states of Mexico and in southern Baja California peninsula. Although most were found in sierras with oak-pine forest vegetation and valleys with grasslands, Golden Eagles were also found to be common in xerophytic scrub vegetation. In Baja California Sur, Golden Eagles were recorded in sierras and valleys with oak-pine forest, but more frequently in xerophytic scrub vegetation. We found old nests that were probably constructed by Golden Eagles, but no actual breeding activity was recorded in the state of Baja California Sur. More studies should be done in order to understand the trends of Golden Eagle populations in Mexico. The Golden Eagle National Recovery Plan supports the idea that long-term studies on Golden Eagles in Mexico should be done to better understand the factors affecting populations on the local and regional scale.