Golden Eagle




Golden Eagle


Golden Eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)

Order:  Accipitriformes
Family:  Accipitridae








Photo © arttoday.com

Golden Eagle Information

Length:  30 - 41"

Habitat:
In its limited Northeast range, the Golden Eagle is found in open mountainous areas, open coniferous forests, and other open and semi-open country. This raptor requires cliffs or tall trees for nesting.

Diet:
The Golden Eagle lives mostly on small to medium-sized mammals, including rabbits, skunks, ground squirrels, and mice. It also preys on medium-sized birds such as grouse and pheasants and, occasionally, larger birds. This eagle will also eat fish and some carrion.

  Calls of the Golden Eagle


Additional Information

Golden Eagle
Photos and info about this raptor's voice, flight physiology, habitat, diet, migration, reproduction, and longevity. (From Wikipedia)


Golden Eagle in Flight

Golden Eagle in Flight

Photo credit: Donna Dewhurst/USFWS

Golden Eagle
Identification Tips

  • Wingspan: 78 inches
  • Very large, broad-winged, broad-tailed hawk
  • Sexes similar
  • Short, dark, hooked beak with yellow cere
Adult
  • Golden feathering on nape
  • Plumage almost entirely dark brown, without white in underwing coverts
  • Two pale brown median tail bands
  • Golden band on upperwing coverts
Immature
  • Plumage almost entirely dark brown
  • White bases to outer secondaries and inner primaries produces oval, white patch
  • White tail with broad, crisp, dark terminal band
Subadult
  • Plumage gradually darkens to resemble that of adult, with white in wings disappearing

(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)


Golden Eagle
Breeding Bird Survey Map,
2011-2015


(Image credit: USGS)


Golden Eagle
Range Maps from Cornell

Golden Eagle breeding, migration, nonbreeding and year-round range.

Includes separate map of sightings.


Golden Eagle
Christmas Bird Count Map

Historical CBC Map from USGS