Cooperative Ecoystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU Funding Opportunity for Genetic Structure of Golden Eagle Populations in San Diego County

This project is aimed at gaining a better understanding of landscape connectivity for Golden Eagles in Southern California, by examining genetics and local population sizes. Growing concern about the status of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in western San Diego County, California, has highlighted the need for ecological information that will allow local managers to evaluate and mitigate the potentially adverse effects of human activities on this species. Populations of golden eagles in California are typically comprised of resident breeders, resident non-breeders (e.g., subadults), and seasonal itinerants. Historical studies of diets of golden eagles in San Diego County suggest that these birds forage on a diversity of prey including ground and tree squirrels, lagomorphs, coots and ducks, skunks, gray foxes, house cats, young pigs, young deer, and carrion. A better understanding of the current distribution, status, foraging requirements, and population characteristics of golden eagles is needed to identify and effectively manage golden eagle habitat and threats/stressors to each nesting territory in western San Diego County.