Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

Soaring majestically across vast landscapes, this powerful raptor commands the skies with its impressive wingspan and keen hunting skills.

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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