The young are fed mostly small to medium-sized mammals. The species has become established on southern Vancouver Island, and it is thought that this has been aided by the healthy population of introduced Eastern Cottontail Rabbits, in a region where there are relatively few prey species of suitable size. There has been much criticism levelled at the Golden Eagle as a scourge of farms and ranches. While they are efficient hunters, their abilities do have limits. There are a few old records of several birds cooperating to bring down animals as large as deer and pronghorn, but these were in severe winters.
Eagles are limited, too, in the size of the prey they can carry.
The maximum weight seems to be about two kilograms, under good conditions. As remarkable as this is for a bird that weighs only about four kilograms, it does not match the legends that it has fostered. All Rights Reserved.