Epaulets in Golden Eagle Plumages in Western Montana

Authors

  • Mary Scofield Raptor View Research Institute, Missoula, MT
  • Rob Domenech Raptor View Research Institute, Missoula, MT
  • Adam Shreading Raptor View Research Institute, Missoula, MT

Abstract

An uncommon plumage characteristic of North American Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) is the epaulet, a white feather or feathers at the shoulder, often symmetrical on both sides in appearance. The size and shape of an epaulet varies by individual. This characteristic is mentioned within the literature, but is not noted how it is reflected within a population. We have observed epaulets in 17 out of 102 (16.6%) individual Golden Eagles with at least one epaulet in western Montana since 2012. Of these individuals, 13 (76.4%) were observed on the Rocky Mountain Front while on migration, and 4 (23.6%) were observed on wintering grounds in the Bitterroot Valley, Montana. Epaulets have been observed on both male and female individuals, and on both sub-adult and adult aged birds. This plumage characteristic should continue to be recorded in Golden Eagles for a better estimate of rate of occurrence within a population.

Author Biography

Mary Scofield, Raptor View Research Institute, Missoula, MT

The Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society, 56th Annual Meeting, 2018,Telling Our Story - Lesson’s Learned, February 19-23, 2018, Butte, Montana

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Published

2018-12-01

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 3-4 December (2018)

Section

Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society [Abstracts]