SLC Wildlife Walls Mural Trail

Hawkwatch Mural Project

Salt Lake City

Painted in 2012 at 2240 S 900 E in Salt Lake City, the HawkWatch Golden Eagle Mural is a tribute to one of Utah’s most iconic raptors. Created by artist Chris Peterson, illustrator Bryce Robinson, and HawkWatch International, the mural shows a golden eagle head, a raptor in flight, and includes kid-drawn raptor murals, drawn by local kids through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club. HawkWatch International is a nonprofit organization based in Salt Lake City dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey and their environments across the Western Hemisphere.

This mural is included in the Wildlife Walls Mural Trail to raise wildlife awareness.

This mural project was installed in 2012 by Chris Peterson Studio in partnership with Hawkwatch International and artist Bryce Robinson. A QR code will be installed on the mural to educate visitors about the species and provide recommendations for nearby wildlife encounters.

Golden Eagles

Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are large birds that live all over the globe. They can be found in habitats like grasslands, sagebrush, and semi-open clearings in mountainous areas. They nest mainly on cliffs and are very protective of their nesting area, maintaining a home range of several square miles. Their favorite prey are jackrabbits, but they will also eat other medium-sized mammals, waterfowl, and snakes. They can even hunt larger prey like fawns!

The Golden Eagle was named Utah’s State Bird of Prey in 2022 to highlight their value in our ecosystems and need for protection. This initiative was led by a former HawkWatch International (HWI) board member, who was inspired after learning about the challenges these birds face. The Golden Eagle is named as a species of concern in Utah because of their dropping numbers. Golden Eagles are long-lived, slow-reproducing birds, making them less resilient to threats. It takes a Golden Eagle about four years to be able to reproduce, compared to other raptors, which typically take only one year.

HWI began studying Golden Eagles more deeply in 2011 after migration and nest monitoring data showed dropping numbers. Since then, they’ve started multiple programs to conserve this species, including long-term nest monitoring and on-the-ground conservation efforts.

Golden Eagle Close-up, PC Cody Allen.jpg

Hawkwatch International & Golden Eagle Conservation

One million animals are killed by cars each day in the U.S., and eagles are no exception. This is especially true in the winter, when Golden and Bald Eagles scavenge on roadkill. HWI research found that vehicles often hit these eagles that dine on carcasses close to the road. By moving carcasses farther away, eagles (and people!) are safer, and eagles maintain a vital food source in the winter.

HWI also monitors Golden Eagle health during the winter through the Golden Eagle Winter Ecology program. They’re placing Passive Perch Scales paired with trail cameras to capture how much eagles weigh with minimal disturbance.

In the spring, HWI monitors nesting Golden Eagles, something they've done every year since 1998! Each season, they track the survivorship of nestlings through repeated surveys of nests, banding nestlings, and taking general measurements. HWI previously tracked contaminants through blood sampling, measured parasite loads, mapped diet through camera traps, and tracked post-fledge movements through backpack transmitters.

“This bird was handled for the purpose of scientific research under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey and in accordance with all state permitting requirements.”

How to Help Golden Eagles

Drive Slowly: Make sure you follow posted speed limits and keep an eye out for wildlife as you are driving.
Report Roadkill: If you spot roadkill, report it to your local Department of Transportation. If you live in Utah, you can report roadkill via the app made by UDOT and UDWR here
Switch Your Shot: Eagles can pass lead onto their nestlings through contaminated prey taken down via lead shot. Switch to non-lead ammunition instead.
Report Color Bands: Noticed a bird with a colorful leg accessory? Report the band here to help our scientists learn more about eagle movement and survival.
Be Aware of Nests: When you are outside recreating, be aware of raptor nests. Climbers should also respect route closures during nesting season and provide ample space if they encounter a nest.
Recreate Responsibly: Follow all local fire ordinances and do not target shoot in dry habitats that could cause range fires.

Volunteer at Hawkwatch International

Hawkwatch Mural

Designed and installed by Chris Peterson Studio

From the Artist

"This was one of my first murals; basically painted for the cost of materials for Hawkwatch just before the S-Line was put in on their north side. The Golden eagle mural was created based on a drawing by bird illustrator Bryce Robinson, who was working for Hawkwatch at the time. In addition to the Golden Eagle head, the wide shape of the wall was filled with layers of mountain horizons and a soaring raptor.

Just to the west of the Hawkwatch building, I facilitated a community arts mural with afterschool kids from the nearby Sugar House Boys and Girls Club. Hawkwatch brought some raptors to the club and with some basic instructions from me, they drew them. The designs were transferred to the surfaces of a garage and cinderblock wall and the kids were invited to paint them and Fox 13 came to film the action. After they put some color up, I touched up the paint.

Celebrating Utah's wildlife with big art and wildlife encounters across the state on the Wildlife Walls Mural Trail.

Wildlife Walls Mural Trail Map

Under construction

Wildlife Etiquette: Always observe from a distance, stay on marked trails, and never feed wild animals.

Where to find Golden Eagles

West Desert: This arid, expansive landscape is where HawkWatch International monitors Golden Eagle nesting each spring. Please keep your distance from nesting raptors to keep the nestlings safe and avoid causing adults to abandon their nests.
Book Cliffs
Raft River Mountains
Grouse Creek
Skull Valley

Raptor Viewing Opportunities in Salt Lake Valley

Farmington Bay: Great location to spot marsh-loving birds like Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles, and Short-eared Owls.
City Creek Canyon: An excellent location for some owling in the evening, where you are likely to hear Western Screech-owls, Great Horned Owls, and maybe even Northern Saw-whet owls.
Jordan River Trail: Keep your eyes peeled for nest boxes home to cavity-nesters like American Kestrels.
Antelope Island State Park: Among the large charismatic fauna like Bison, many smaller creatures like Burrowing Owls are right below our feet. Many other raptors call this island home, like American Kestrels, Great Horned Owls, and Golden Eagles.
Grandeur Peak: A great vantage point to catch migrating raptors during the fall.

Raptor Viewing Along the Jordan River Bike Path

Rose Park Golf Course: A general birding hot spot, this location is a reliable spot to look for Swainson’s Hawks from mid-spring to early fall.
Redwood Nature Area: This wetland area is a prime habitat for many marsh-loving raptors, as well as cavity-nesters like the American Kestrel.
Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center at Pia Okwai: This is a great place to look for bird-eating-birds like the Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper’s Hawk. There are also plenty of other raptors to see here, including the Northern Harrier.
Corner Canyon Creek: Take a hike off the Jordan River Bike Path to see all sorts of Hawks! From the fairly common Red-tailed Hawk to the occasional American Goshawk.

Other Nearby Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

Peacocks @ Allen Park: Nestled in the Sugar House neighborhood, Allen Park is a quiet, artsy area where remnants of free-roaming peafowl still draw visitors.
Raptors @ Jordan River Parkway (Arrowhead Park): This stretch of the Jordan River offers great opportunities to spot Swainson’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, and kestrels soaring above the cottonwoods or perched along the river corridor.
Moose @ Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon): Just a short, accessible walk around Silver Lake often results in sightings of moose grazing in the wetlands, especially early in the morning or at dusk.
Bison and burrowing owls @ Antelope Island: Less than an hour from Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park is home to one of the largest free-roaming bison herds in the country, along with burrowing owls, pronghorn, coyotes, and shorebirds.
Wild horses @ Dugway Mountains (Onaqui Herd): West of the Salt Lake Valley, the Onaqui Mountains are home to one of Utah’s most iconic wild horse herds. Access is remote, high-clearance vehicles are recommended. They are best viewed in spring and fall.
Bonneville cutthroat trout @ Millcreek Canyon: This canyon offers accessible roadside pull-offs and shaded streams where Bonneville cutthroat trout can often be spotted swimming in clear pools.
Mountain goats @ Mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon: Keep an eye on the cliffs above the canyon entrance, especially in spring and early summer, when mountain goats descend to feed on new vegetation.
Rattlesnakes @ Rattlesnake Gulch, Millcreek Canyon: True to its name, Rattlesnake Gulch is prime habitat for rattlesnakes. Stay alert and observe from a safe distance if you encounter one on a trail.
Red fox @ Big Cottonwood Regional Park: This urban green space in Holladay is occasionally home to red foxes. Early morning walks offer your best chance at a glimpse.
Pelicans and waterbirds @ Decker Lake: Located just west of downtown, Decker Lake attracts American white pelicans, Canada geese, and various migratory waterfowl. Viewing is best in spring and fall.
Migratory shorebirds @ Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge: Though a bit of a drive, this world-renowned bird refuge is well worth the trip. Visit during spring and fall migrations for peak shorebird activity, including avocets, stilts, and phalaropes.

Wildlife Institutions in Salt Lake City:

Hogle Zoo: Located near the mouth of Emigration Canyon, Hogle Zoo is your chance to see a wide range native species upclose, including cougars, bighorn sheep, bobcats, and yellow-bellied marmots.
Tracy Aviary (Liberty Park): One of the oldest aviaries in the U.S., Tracy Aviary houses over 130 bird species including golden eagles, bald eagles, American white pelicans, and barred owls.
Tracy Aviary’s Jordan River Nature Center (Pia Okwaiwai): Situated along the Jordan River in South Salt Lake, this nature center offers bird blinds and walking trails with chances to view wild raptors and shorebirds in restored wetland habitat.
Eccles Great Salt Lake Audubon Wildlife Center (Lee Kay Center): Just west of downtown, this new center sits along the southern shoreline of the Great Salt Lake and provides opportunities to see great blue herons, shorebirds, and other waterfowl. The surrounding wetlands are critical stopovers for migratory birds.
Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter (Park City): Though technically just outside the Salt Lake Valley, Swaner Preserve is well worth the short drive. The 1,200-acre preserve is home to moose, sandhill cranes, and a variety of wetland species. Guided tours and boardwalk trails provide easy viewing access.
Red Butte Garden: Adjacent to the University of Utah, Red Butte Garden is a great place to spot local wildlife. Birds, butterflies, and even rattlesnakes can be seen along the garden’s trails, particularly in spring and summer.

Don't miss these Local Attractions

Liberty Park & Tracy Aviary: Salt Lake’s oldest public park offers shady walking paths, paddleboat rentals, and sports courts. Tracy Aviary sits inside the park, home to over 130 bird species.
Red Butte Garden & Arboretum: A 100-acre botanical garden featuring native plant displays, hiking trails, and panoramic views of the Salt Lake Valley.
Natural History Museum of Utah: Perched above the University of Utah you will find this museum with hands-on exhibits on dinosaurs, geology, and Utah’s ecosystems.
Antelope Island State Park: Located in the Great Salt Lake, this park is home to bison, pronghorn, and dramatic desert landscapes, perfect for driving, hiking, and biking.
9th & 9th Neighborhood: A fun district filled with indie boutiques, coffee shops, and public art, including the Queen Ursa Mural. Great for strolling and soaking up local culture.