The golden eagle became the state bird of prey during the recent Utah state legislature session. It was signed by Governor Spencer Cox’s signature on Wednesday, March 22, 2022.
SALT LAKE CITY — The golden eagle officially became Utah’s state bird of prey during the recent state legislature session. Governor Spencer Cox signed the bill on Wednesday, March 22, 2022.
The sea gull was named the state bird in 1955 by the state legislature and continues to be the Utah state bird.
Naming the Golden Eagle as a state bird puts Utah in good company as the raptor is the most common official national animal in the world. The golden eagle is also the emblem of Albania, Germany, Austria, Mexico, and Kazakhstan.
Although golden eagles are plentiful in Utah, they can also be found all over western North America, from Alaska to northern Mexico. Most of the populations in Utah remain in the state year-round while in other places they may migrate in other locations. Golden eagles are commonly found in mountain regions and are a relatively common sight in Utah.
These large, majestic birds have a seven-foot wingspan, can fly to nearly 200 miles per hour and are among the nimblest birds of prey. Golden eagles can stay afloat, soaring for hours looking for food. Their diet consists of small mammals, particularly rabbits, marmots and ground squirrels. However, golden eagles have also been known to eat insects, snakes, other birds and other animal carcasses. It is relatively rare for golden eagles to attack large, healthy mammals.
They typically feed in the early mornings and evenings and sometimes hunt in pairs. They can fast for days between feedings.
Golden eagles mate for life and often use the same nest for many years. They typically build their nests on cliffs or in large trees, and usually lay their eggs from late February to early March in Utah. Typically, two eggs are laid at a time and are incubated primarily by the female for roughly 45 days. The baby birds are usually cared for by their parents for 30 days after hatching and can usually fly after only 60 days.
“These raptors are quite remarkable, and it’s exciting to see them be recognized for the important role they play in our ecosystems,” Division of Wildlife Resources Avian Conservation Program Coordinator Russell Norvell said.
The oldest golden eagle on record was found in 2012 in Utah. The age of the bird was at least 31 years, 8 months old. It was banded in the same state in 1980.
The golden eagle isn’t the only wildlife to recently be recognized as a new state symbol. The brine shrimp was proposed as the state crustacean during this year’s legislative session and in 2019, the Gila monster was named the state reptile.