BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Golden Eagle

AccipitridaeBirds of preyAquila chrysaetos

Golden Eagle has surged: up 410% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+410%Since 1969TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
837RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
57Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Golden Eagle

The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a North American member of the Hawks, Eagles & Kites (Accipitridae). In this analysis it is grouped with the birds of prey.

Size
17.5–39.5 in long (45–100 cm) — a medium to large raptor (typical for the family)
Habitat
Open country, woodlands, cliffs and wetlands, hunting from the air or a high perch.
Diet
Live prey — small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and large insects (carrion for vultures).
Range
Recorded on 837 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 18 states, most concentrated in the Great Basin.
Family
Accipitridae · Birds of prey

Notable Golden Eagle TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Golden Eagle. See the full index history below.

Golden Eagle Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Golden Eagle is projected to rise about 59% by 2029 — from 0.05 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.08 (95% range 0.06–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±46.4%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+59%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.08Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.06–0.1195% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±46.4%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Golden Eagle is projected to rise about 59% by 2029 — from 0.05 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.08 (95% range 0.06–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±46.4%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20250.080.050.10
20260.080.050.10
20270.080.050.11
20280.080.060.11
20290.080.060.11

Where the Golden Eagle Is Detected

BBS routes recording Golden Eagle, sized by most recent count.

Golden Eagle Population Trend by State

Golden Eagle population trend by state.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alaska-77%198420
Arizona-69%197528
California-44%1970120
Colorado-16%1972105
Idaho-22%197136
Montana+12%197077
Nebraska-63%198110
Nevada-17%197145
New Mexico-84%197144
New Yorkinsufficient datan/a1
North Dakota-33%197912
Oklahomainsufficient datan/a1
Oregon-4%197151
South Dakota+35%197325
Texas-29%197218
Utah-1%1970103
Washington-11%197319
Wyoming+179%1971122

Golden Eagle Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Golden Eagle population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
BCR 2-4%19944
BCR 4-65%198411
Northern Pacific Rainforest-74%197520
Great Basin-14%1971171
Northern Rockies+209%1970144
Prairie Potholes-24%197615
Sierra Nevada-56%197914
Southern Rockies / Colorado Plateau+60%1970169
Badlands and Prairies+99%1970102
Shortgrass Prairie-66%197252
Coastal California-52%197257
Sonoran and Mojave Deserts-43%197325
Sierra Madre Occidental-74%197614
Chihuahuan Desert-60%197128

Golden Eagle Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 410% since 1969.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.