Golden Eagle Family observed in Sierra de Cucurpe, Sonora

Two adult Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and two juveniles were observed in Sierra de Cucurpe by inhabitants in the area, and experts confirmed their presence in the site during a tour of the nesting area, which took place from January 13th to 17th, as part of a conservation project for the preservation and monitoring of the species conducted by Pronatura Noroste, CEMEX, and BirdLife in collaboration with CONANP and the Sonora State Government.

Luis Felipe Lozano from CONANP¹, César Alonso de León Núñez of SAGARHPA², the photographer Jesús García Salazar, and Flor Alejandra Torres, Site Project Manager for Pronatura Noroeste participated in the expedition through this mountain range in Sonora, which is one of the habitats of the Golden Eagle in Northwest Mexico.

“On this rescue trip we located the nest structures of the Golden Eagle that were used by the couple we saw last year, which confirms that the specimen we marked in 2015 in Cerrito Blanco established its territory in the area and that he had two offspring during the 2019 reproductive season,” said Flor Torres about the findings.

Three nesting structures used by the Golden Eagle are indicated in the cliff, and a specimen observed in flight.

During one of the sightings, Jesús García had the opportunity to capture the moment when a Golden Eagle flew from north to west for a minute. “Conservation is one of my goals as a photographer, being in these places was very interesting and an indescribable experience. To get to the ranch area is about two hours by car, and to hike up the cliff is like three, and another two hours to get to the place where the birds are, it was very cold and in total is about five hours walking there, and again on the way back,” he said.

In addition, bones of animals possibly preyed upon by the Golden Eagles were seen in the area, as well as a secondary feather of an adult specimen. They also found two water tanks that need to be adapted collaboratively with the ranchers so the birds can perch safely, so this threat to the Golden Eagle and other species is reduced.

Bones of animals preyed upon by the Golden Eagle.

Sierra de Cucurpe is favorable as a breeding site for birds because of its low human disturbance, as it is removed from the urban environment. Observing the Golden Eagle pronounced among the mountains and near the place it was born indicates that the ecosystem has good conditions with sufficient food and water available for the species.

Since 2012, Pronatura Noroeste has participated in the Program of Action for biodiversity conservation in the area, together with CEMEX and BirdLife. As part of this program, in 2015 a satellite transmitter was placed on a Golden Eagle specimen, the same specimen identified in the site during the reproductive season in 2019, and whose offspring were confirmed during this expedition.

Click here to read more about this project.

(1)  CONANP National Commission of Natural Protected Areas.

(2)  SAGARHPA Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Hydraulic Resources, Fisheries, and Aquaculture.