Relationship with People
Last Review/Updated: May 31, 2002
Birds of prey are prominent in the mythology of civilizations throughout
the world. Both their grace and ferocity led early people to believe
that these birds had supernatural powers. Consequently, many raptors
were worshipped as gods. In European and Asian cultures, the eagle
has represented power and strength since 4000 B.C. This concept is
also apparent in North American mythology. 
To
capture an eagle and take some of its feathers was an act of the highest
bravery to the Plains Indians. Each feather worn on a warrior's bonnet
represented a unique act of bravery. In the American southwest, the
golden eagle inspired Indian legends of the Thunderbird. For some tribes,
the Thunderbird was the "war eagle" and its image was painted on battle
shields for protection. In other legends, the Thunderbird brought summer
thunderstorms that enriched the earth, providing bountiful crops and
abundant wildlife.
European settlers in North America did not hold eagles and hawks in such high regard. Golden eagles have been accused of killing livestock, because the eagles have been seen feeding on the carcasses of such animals. However, golden eagles are occasionally carrion-eaters and may feed on carcasses left by other predators or as a result of death by other causes. Hawks may take poultry, but these minor costs to the farmer are outweighed by the benefits that raptors provide in controlling the numbers of rodent pests.
Hawks and eagles do eat game birds. As predators, raptors hunt the most abundant and easiest to catch prey. When prey populations decrease, raptors switch to other prey, move to other areas to hunt, or stop breeding. Thus, raptors are seldom responsible for large declines in prey populations. The most important factor governing the abundance of both predator and prey is suitable habitat in which to live.
Raptors are also a value to modern man as "biological indicators" of environmental change. The reductions in raptor populations in the 1950s and 60s alerted the world to the dangers of DDT and other pesticide use.
