# Golden Eagle (*Aquila chrysaetos*) The Golden Eagle is a beautiful bird with shiny golden feathers on its head and neck. It loves to soar high in the sky and can see very far! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Mountains and open areas - **Also known as:** Aquila, Eagle, Royal Eagle ![Golden Eagle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424505/objects/4596.jpg) ## Appearance The Golden Eagle is a majestic dark brown raptor with distinctive golden-brown feathers on its nape and hindneck. It has powerful, sharp talons and a strong, hooked beak. Its large size and broad wings differentiate it from smaller birds of prey. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Accipitriformes - **Family:** Accipitridae - **Genus:** Aquila ## Interesting facts - A Golden Eagle's nest, called an eyrie, can be as big as a small car! - Golden Eagles often mate for life and use the same nest site for many years. - Some ancient cultures revere Golden Eagles as symbols of power and freedom. - They can sometimes carry prey heavier than themselves short distances! ## Special abilities - **Eagle Eye Vision:** Golden Eagle has incredible eyesight that helps them spot prey from extremely high altitudes. - **Iron Grip Talons:** Golden Eagle can crush prey with powerful talons because they have incredible grip strength and sharp claws. - **Silent Hunter:** Golden Eagle can glide almost silently because their specialized wing feathers reduce noise, helping surprise prey. - **Sky Rider:** Golden Eagle has broad, powerful wings that help them soar effortlessly for hours on rising air currents. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 75-90 cm - **Wingspan:** 180-234 cm - **Weight:** 2.5-7 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-30 years - **Speed:** 320 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-4 - **Incubation:** 40-45 days - **Migration Distance:** 1500 km ## Diet & Feeding These powerful hunters mainly eat small to medium-sized mammals and birds. - **Age differences:** Young eagles learn hunting techniques from their parents for their first few months. - **Primary Foods:** Rabbits, Marmots, Ground Squirrels, Grouse, Young Foxes, Carrion - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Hoary Marmot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hoary-marmot) (*Marmota caligata*) — A primary food source in mountain regions. - **Hunts:** [Black-tailed Jackrabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-tailed-jackrabbit) (*Lepus californicus*) — Often caught in open grassland and desert areas. - **Shelter:** Ponderosa Pine (*Pinus ponderosa*) — Builds large nests high in sturdy tree branches. - **Hunts:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Occasionally preys on young kits or adults when other prey is scarce. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Golden Eagles are wild animals and should be admired from a distance. Never try to touch or feed them! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Golden Eagle? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Golden Eagle? 75-90 cm ### What is Golden Eagle's wingspan? 180-234 cm ### How much does Golden Eagle weigh? 2.5-7 kg ### How long does Golden Eagle live? 20-30 years ### How fast can Golden Eagle move? 320 km/h ### What does Golden Eagle eat? These powerful hunters mainly eat small to medium-sized mammals and birds. ### Where is Golden Eagle usually found? Mountains and open areas ## Where to spot - [Alaska Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-zoo) — Alaska, US · Zoo - [Big Bear Alpine Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/big-bear-alpine-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/navajo-nation-zoological-and-botanical-park) — Arizona, US · Zoo - [Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/southern-nevada-zoological-botanical-park) — Nevada, US · Zoo - [Black Mesa State Park;Lake Carl Etling Public Fishing Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-mesa-state-park-lake-carl-etling-public-fishing-area) — Oklahoma, US · State Park - [Cascades Raptor Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cascades-raptor-center) — Oregon, US · Zoo [View all places to see Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/golden-eagle) ## Watch - [Play video: Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/videos/golden-eagle) - [YouTube](https://www.snappit.app/published_manually) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Golden Eagle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle)