Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) breeding phenology and tree nesting in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba

Breeding Golden Eagles in Wapusk National Park

Abstract

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a wide-ranging apex predator, yet the breeding ecology of eastern populations in North
America remains poorly documented, particularly near the northern and western extent of their breeding range. Here, we present evidence of Golden Eagle reproduction in Wapusk National Park, northern Manitoba, documenting three in-use nests containing nestlings. All nests were located in large White Spruce (Picea glauca) trees in riparian forest, highlighting
trees as an important nesting structure in this low-relief, cliff-free landscape. Estimated laying and hatch dates suggest that breeding phenology aligns with northern populations in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and northern Quebec. These observations provide new insight into breeding timing and nest-site use by Golden Eagles in a subarctic environment, where reproduction likely occurs within a narrow seasonal window. Despite a small sample size, our study establishes a baseline for future monitoring in Wapusk National Park and contributes to a broader understanding of Golden Eagle breeding ecology in northern Canada.