Golden Eagle in the North-Western China
We investigated the nest dispersion, density, breeding characters and the diet of the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) in the North-Western China from 2004 to 2012. In our survey areas we studied on a total of 38 nest sites belonging to 16 breeding territories, giving a minimum density of 1.4 breeding pairs per 1000 km 2 in breeding season. Across its territory, all nests were located either on rock faces, clay cliffs or shallow caves. In all examined nests, the average external diameter was 198.4±8.2 cm * 159.3±14.2 cm, inner diameter was 91.1±4.4 cm, nest height was 125.9±15.3 cm and the depth was 12±1.7 cm. The female lays 1 to 2 eggs with interval 3 to 4 days. In the extensive study for the Karamay, we found that the diet of Golden Eagles included 7 species of mammals, 10 birds and 2 reptiles, and the main prey were Desert Hares (Lepus capensis). A total of 7 species of mammals, 5 birds, 1 reptile were preyed by Golden Eagles in Alataw and Biezhentaw Mountains, and the main foods were Gray Marmots (Marmota baibacina) and Long-Tailed Souslik (Citellus undulatus). Through the investigation, both the breeding population and breeding ranges of the Golden Eagle were much less than before and the effective long-term conservation should execute right now.