The Golden Eagle

The Golden Eagle is among the largest of all the eagles. It measures from 26 to 40 inches in length and has a wingspan of 59 to 95 inches. As with many Falconiformes, the female is considerably larger than the male.

Their coloring ranges from black-brown to dark brown, with a golden crown. There are some lighter, irregular areas on their wings and an irregular band on white on their tail. Juveniles resemble the adults, but they have a larger band of white on their tail as well as some white patches at the base of their carpal joint. The juvenile's markings gradually disappear as they mature. They are sporting full adult plumage by the fifth year.

The Golden Eagle can be found in the Western United States and Canada. They Prefer open areas rather than forests and can be spotted in grasslands, deserts, and mountainous areas. Golden Eagles living in the northern part of their range will move south when food supplies become scarce, but they are not considered a migratory bird.

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Golden Eagles usually mate for life. They build their nests on cliffs or at the top of tall trees. The nests are made of heavy branches and lined with grass. Some pairs will use the same nest every year while other alternate between two or more sites. With each use, the nests grow in height and diameter. Older nests can be as big as 6 ½ feet in diameter and three feet high.

The female usually lays 2 eggs and incubates them for 41 to 45 days. The eaglets are white are totally dependent on their parents for another 45 to 50 days. Although 2 eggs are laid, the last to hatch rarely survives. The extra couple of days of growth gives the older sibling the advantage. The eaglet usually fledges between 9 and 11 weeks.

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The Golden Eagle is a carnivore. Their prey includes mice rabbits, other birds, as well as deer, livestock, lambs and goats. If prey is scarce, they will join other scavengers using carrion to supplement their diet.

They have very good eyesight and spot prey from long distances. Most prey is taken on the ground using their talons to capture and kill. They frequently joint together forming hunting partnerships with one driving the prey toward the other.

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The Golden Eagle's numbers are declining due to loss of habitat, but are not currently on the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.

The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures
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