Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle

Description
Golden Eagle has a Body length: 30 - 40 inches
Wingspan: 6 1/2 - 7 1/2 feet. Weight: 7 - 13 pounds.

Golden Eagle on a Rock

Habitat
Golden Eagles range from sea level to several thousand feet, occupying most of the open terrain of deserts, mountains, plateaus, and steppes in the Northern Hemisphere. They are not usually found in heavily forested areas. Golden Eagles living in the northern part of their range move south when the food supply becomes scarce in the winter.

Golden Eagle

Diet
Golden Eagles prey mostly upon medium-sized rodents, rabbits, and hares, but also on birds, especially game birds, reptiles, and carrion. Most prey is taken on the ground from a low flight, but they are fast enough to take birds in flight. Some Golden Eagle pairs will hunt together.

Golden Eagle

Reproduction
Golden Eagles build stick nests on cliffs or in trees. Some pairs use the same nest every year or alternate among a few nest sites in their territory. Golden Eagles usually lay 2 eggs that are incubated 41 - 45 days. The eaglets fledge 9 - 11 weeks later, but do not reach adulthood for about 5 years.

Golden Eagle

Name
The scientific name comes from the Latin word aquila, meaning an eagle; khrysos, the Greek word for golden; and aetos, meaning an eagle. Golden Eagles are named for the golden colored feathers on the back of their heads. This eagle has also been known as War Bird, Ring-tailed Eagle, Black Eagle, Bird of Jupiter, Jackrabbit Eagle, Royal Eagle, and King of Birds.

Golden Eagle

Fun Facts
Some Golden Eagles eat tortoises. They fly with the tortoise held in their talons and then drop the tortoise on a rock outcrop to break the shell open.

Golden Eagles are more closely related to hawks, like the Red-tailed Hawk, than to Bald Eagles. Bald Eagles are more closely related to kites.