Golden Eagle

Quick Take

• Golden eagles can take down prey far larger than themselves, and the coordinated tactic mated pairs use to pull it off is surprisingly calculated. See their cooperative hunting →
• Adult golden eagles have no natural predators, yet one specific life stage makes them shockingly vulnerable. Discover their one vulnerability →
• Golden eagles are actually more aggressive than bald eagles, and how they deal with intruders goes beyond what most people picture. See how they handle threats →
• Golden eagles can hit 120 mph, yet their speed is only one piece of what makes them one of North America's most formidable hunters. Explore their speed and hunting →

The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) lives in the northern hemisphere across four continents. It inhabits semi-open areas with rocky ledges and cliffs and spends its days soaring low to the ground in search of prey. This species is ferocious and can kill and eat animals twice its size.

5 Amazing Golden Eagle Facts

• Golden eagles are among the largest birds in North America and feature a seven-foot wingspan.
• They are incredibly fast and agile, reaching speeds up to 120 mph.
• Males and females form long-term pair bonds and return to the same nesting site for several years.
• Their calls sound like high-pitched screams, but they are quiet most of the time.
• Mated pairs hunt together and coordinate attacks.

Where to Find the Golden Eagle

The golden eagle lives across four continents (North America, North Africa, Europe, and Asia), including in such countries as Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China. In North America, they breed in Alaska and Canada and winter across most of the United States. Some populations live year-round on the west side of the US. You will find these birds in open or semi-open habitats, including mountains, canyons, and riverside cliffs.

Nests

They nest on cliff ledges or large trees. The nest, built by both sexes, consists of a bulky platform made of sticks, lined on the inside with weeds, grass, leaves, and moss. They reuse the same nesting sites for multiple years, adding more material each season.

Evolution

Its membership in the Aquila genus means the golden eagle gets to be considered a “true eagle.”. Other members of that illustrious group include the tawny eagle (Aquila rapax), the wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax), and the Steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis).

As a member of the Accipitridae, the golden eagle is also related to hawks, harriers, kites, and even vultures. Its membership in that wider family also means it belongs to the order Accipitriformes.

This group of birds of prey and carrion eaters is thought to have appeared during the Eocene epoch, with molecular studies suggesting an origin approximately 44 million years ago and divergences within the order beginning around 34 million years ago near the Eocene–Oligocene boundary. It also contains the following families, which are also distant relatives of the golden eagle:

• Cathartidae: This family includes the black vulture, the turkey vulture, and the Andean condor.
• Pandionidae: This family is made up solely of ospreys.
• Sagittariidae: The secretary bird is the sole member of this family.

Classification and Scientific Name

The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is from the Accipitridae family, which contains diurnal birds of prey with strongly hooked bills and varied diets. The Aquila genus is a group of true eagles. The name is Latin for “eagle” and “dark in color”. Chrysaetos is Ancient Greek for “gold” and “eagle.”

There are six subspecies of the golden eagle, including:

• The European golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos chrysaetos): This subspecies is found throughout Europe and even as far as Kazakhstan and Iran.
• The Iberian golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos homeyeri): This subspecies calls the Iberian Peninsula home. It can also be found in Ethiopia, Morocco, Tunisia, Kazakhstan, and Iran.
• The Asian golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos daphanea): The range of the Asian golden eagle includes Bhutan, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Myanmar.
• The Japanese golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos japonica):  The range of this subspecies includes the Japanese islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu, as well as Korea.
• The North American golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos canadensis):  This subspecies can be found in Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and the Western United States.
• The Siberian golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos kamtschatica):  This subspecies can be found in Russia, western Siberia, and northern Mongolia.

Size, Appearance, & Behavior

Golden eagles are one of the largest birds in North America, measuring 27.6 to 33.1 inches long and weighing 105 to 216 ounces, with a 72 to 86-inch wingspan. They have relatively small heads, long tails, and long, broad wings. Adults are dark brown with a golden hue on the back of their heads and necks, and males and females look similar. Their young are distinguishable by the white patches on their wings and at the base of their tails. 

These birds are primarily solitary, except for breeding pairs. They may occasionally bathe in groups or roost together in freezing weather. You often find them soaring or gliding low to the ground with their wings lifted in a V-shape. They are incredibly agile and fast, reaching speeds of up to 120 mph when hunting. They are typically quiet birds, but when they do vocalize, their calls sound like high-pitched screams and squeals.

Migration Pattern and Timing

Golden eagles are short to medium-distance migrants, and some populations are residents. Most golden eagles in Europe, Africa, and Asia stay in their environments year-round. But those who breed in Sweden and Belarus will migrate to warmer areas during winter. Eagles in North America have a split population. Those on the west side of the United States stay in their environments year-round, while others breed in Alaska and Northern Canada and migrate into the United States during winter.

Diet

Golden eagles are strictly carnivorous who eat anything they can get their talons on.

What Does the Golden Eagle Eat?

They eat rabbits, hares, squirrels, prairie dogs, fish, cranes, swans, badgers, and carrion (dead animals). These eagles can take down creatures much bigger than themselves, including coyotes, deer, livestock, seals, mountain goats, bobcats, and bighorn sheep. They will even rob bird nests and steal food from other birds. Most of the time, they use aerial attacks to strike their prey, but occasionally they hunt from the ground, flapping their wings as they run. Black-tailed jackrabbits are one of their favorite foods, and mated pairs will hunt this species together with coordinated attacks. One will distract the rabbit as the other goes in for the kill.

Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

The IUCN lists the golden eagle as LC or “least concern.” Due to its extensive range and huge, stable population, this species does not meet “threatened” thresholds. This eagle was heavily persecuted in the 19th century, but that threat has significantly diminished. However, they do still suffer from trapping, shooting, and poisoning. While they don’t currently have any severe threats facing their population, these birds still endure the effects of climate change, the agricultural industry, power lines, and pollution.

What Eats the Golden Eagle?

Golden eagles are birds of prey, and adults have no natural predators, but they may occasionally be harassed by crows, jays, and raptors. Eaglets are not so fortunate and can fall victim to coyotes, wolverines, and bears. Thankfully, this is not too common. Golden eagles are ferocious predators who can take down creatures bigger than themselves, such as wolves and deer. This species is known to be more aggressive than a bald eagle and will use its sharp talons to tear flesh as it rapidly descends on intruders. They may even use their strong beaks to inflict painful bites.

Reproduction, Young, and Molting

Golden eagles are monogamous and remain with the same mate for several years or their entire lives. They perform courtship displays, which include aerial acrobatics like circling and diving. Females lay one to four eggs, but two is the typical number. The eggs are white with brown markings, and both sexes assist in incubation, which lasts 41 to 45 days. After hatching, females remain with the nestlings while the males hunt and bring food. The young can fly on their own at around 60 to 70 days and do not join the breeding population until they are four years old. These eagles have long lifespans and can live between 20 and 30 years.

Population

The global golden eagle population is estimated to number 85,000 to 160,000 mature individuals. Over the last 40 years, their numbers have been stable in North America and steadily increasing in Europe. Their population does not suffer from extreme fluctuations or fragmentations.