Wednesday, November 12, 1997
What ever happened to the golden eagle that once soared in Kauai skies? Kauai golden eagle
had a fatal flightThe eagle died when it tangled with a helicopter and was struck by a spinning rotor in the early 1980s.
But before that, it enthralled Kauai residents for more than 10 years. The large bird soared majestically near the cliffs below Mount Waialeale. A true lone eagle, the only one of its kind in the islands, it may have reached Hawaii by being blown on stormy high winds or escaping from a ship where it may have been caged as a pet.
The golden eagle is found on both sides of the North Pacific.
Some Kauai farmers reported the eagle raided chicken flocks, though these reports grew less frequent as years passed.
Nonetheless, the golden eagle is a feared hunter. Its prey includes rabbits, squirrels and even young deer and lambs. The golden eagle is 30 to 40 inches long with wingspan of 6 to 7 feet. It can carry off prey equal to its own weight.
Eagles are some of the largest and most powerful birds in the world.
Among birds of prey, only condors and some species of vultures are larger.
The golden eagle best exemplifies the fierce and proud symbol of freedom and power. Plains Indians once wore golden eagle feathers in their headdress, and the golden eagle became known as the "war eagle." It has been protected by federal law since 1962.