Golden Eagle Bird Facts (Aquila chrysaetos)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Golden Eagle is a majestic raptor with dark brown plumage and golden-brown feathers on the head and neck. Adults have a wingspan of up to 2.3 meters, with females typically larger than males. Key features include a powerful hooked beak and yellow feet with sharp talons.

Juveniles are distinguished by white patches on their wings and tail base. As they mature, their plumage darkens, and they develop the characteristic golden nape. Adults maintain consistent plumage year-round.

Size

Length

66cm to 102cm

Wingspan

180cm to 230cm

Weight

3kg to 6.7kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Black

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Golden Eagle can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Golden Eagle is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Golden Eagle is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Golden Eagle is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Golden Eagle is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Golden Eagle is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Golden Eagle can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Golden Eagle is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Golden Eagle is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Golden Eagle is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Golden Eagle can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Golden Eagle is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Golden Eagles inhabit open and semi-open areas, including mountains, hills, grasslands, and tundra. They are found across the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, they are most common in western states and Alaska.

Some populations move to lower elevations or more southerly regions during winter. However, they are year-round residents in parts of their range with suitable habitat and prey availability.

Golden Eagles have an extensive range in North America, from Alaska in the north to Mexico in the south. In the UK, Golden Eagles are confined mainly to the hillsides and glens of the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 4,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic, Alpine

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Golden Eagle. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Bhutan Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Canada China Croatia Denmark Egypt Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary India Iran Iraq Israel Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lebanon Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Macedonia Mali Mauritania Mexico Moldova Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Myanmar Nepal Niger North Korea Norway Oman Pakistan Palestine Poland Portugal Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Syria Tajikistan The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States of America Uzbekistan Western Sahara Yemen

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Czechia

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Belgium Cyprus Gibraltar Ireland Kuwait Malta Netherlands Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 95

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Golden Eagles possess remarkable agility, demonstrated by their ability to perform spectacular aerial displays during courtship, including cartwheels and synchronized diving. Their skill in manoeuvring through the air, coupled with diving speeds of up to 240 km/h when hunting, showcases their exceptional agility.

Strength 90

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

These raptors exhibit tremendous strength, capable of capturing prey much larger than themselves, including foxes and young deer. Their powerful talons and ability to carry substantial quarry over distances reflect their formidable physical strength.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Golden Eagles show high adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from sea level to 4,000 metres elevation. Their ability to inhabit various biomes including mountains, grasslands, and woodlands, as well as their partial migratory behaviour, indicates strong adaptability to different environments and conditions.

Aggressiveness 80

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not typically aggressive towards humans, Golden Eagles are fierce predators. Their hunting behaviour, ability to take large prey, and readiness to defend their territory and nests suggest a high level of aggression in certain contexts, particularly related to hunting and breeding.

Endurance 88

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Golden Eagle's endurance is evident in its ability to soar for extended periods on thermal currents and its long-distance hunting forays. Their partial migratory nature and capacity to thrive in harsh environments, from subarctic to alpine climates, further demonstrate their impressive endurance.

Diet

Golden Eagles are opportunistic predators. They primarily hunt mammals like rabbits, hares, and marmots. They also take birds, reptiles, and occasionally fish.

These powerful raptors can capture prey as large as foxes and young deer, using their strong talons to subdue and carry their quarry. They readily feed on animal carcasses, including those killed by other carnivores.

Behaviour

Golden Eagles are solitary birds, often seen soaring on thermal currents with their wings held in a slight V-shape. They are skilled hunters, capable of taking prey much larger than themselves.

During courtship, pairs perform spectacular aerial displays, including cartwheels and synchronized diving.

Vocalisation

Golden Eagles are generally quiet birds, but they do vocalize occasionally. Their call is a series of high-pitched, yelping notes, often described as 'kya-kya-kya' or 'kee-kee-kee'. During courtship or when defending territory, they may produce a softer, mewing sound.

Nesting & Breeding

Golden Eagles form long-term monogamous pairs, often mating for life. Breeding season typically begins in late winter or early spring, varying by location. Courtship involves aerial displays and nest building or refurbishing.

Nests are massive structures of sticks, often located on cliff ledges or large trees. Females usually lay 1-3 eggs, which are white with brown markings. Both parents contribute to nest construction and maintenance.

Incubation lasts about 45 days, primarily by the female. Chicks fledge at 65-75 days but may depend on parents for several months. Young eagles reach sexual maturity at 4-5 years old.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While listed as Least Concern globally, Golden Eagles face threats from habitat loss, collisions with wind turbines, and illegal shooting.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting sites, mitigating human-wildlife conflicts, and reducing lead poisoning from ingested ammunition in carrion.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

85,000 - 160,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Golden Eagles soaring over open landscapes, especially in mountainous regions.
Observe their distinctive flight pattern with wings held slightly upward in a shallow V.
In North America, watch for them in western states and Alaska.
Be patient and use high-powered binoculars or a spotting scope for best viewing.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Royal Eagle, Mountain Eagle

Family:

Accipitridae

Average Lifespan

20 to 30 years

Predators

Adult Golden Eagles have few natural predators. However, eggs and nestlings may be vulnerable to other large birds of prey, ravens, and some mammals.

Did You Know?

Golden Eagles can dive at speeds of up to 240 km/h (150 mph) when hunting.
They have been used in falconry for centuries, particularly in Kazakhstan.
Some pairs use the same nest for multiple years, adding to it until it becomes enormous. Britain's largest known golden eagle nest was 4.6 metres deep and had been used for 45 years.
It is estimated that the Golden Eagle’s eyesight is 4-8 times better than that of humans. This means that they can spot prey on the ground at a distance of up to 2 miles away.