Golden Eagles

[geordie1234]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-33920065

[Tony C]

http://www.scottishraptorstudygroup.org/goldeneagle.html

 

Golden eagles can depredate smaller raptors, given the opportunity, but the relationship with white-tailed eagles is probably one of 'armed neutrality'. While there are a few examples of birds of each species killing birds of the other species, and of nest sites changing between species, there is no systematic evidence that the rapid expansion of white-tailed eagles is having an adverse effect on golden eagles. Golden eagles are more likely to nest on higher altitude cliffs and take 'terrestrial' food, and white-tailed eagles are more likely to nest at lower altitude (more often in trees) and take 'aquatic' food. While there is some overlap in the two species' 'niches' (several pairs of golden eagles nest on sea cliffs in the west and take seabirds, more typical of white-tailed eagles) but historical studies indicate that sea cliffs were used by golden eagles in the past, before white-tailed eagles were made extinct. The current relationship between the two species in Scotland appears similar to that in other countries, such as Norway, and in Scotland in the past