The golden eagle (or Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the most widespread birds of prey, ranging across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. It favors open or semi-open habitats such as mountains, grasslands, tundra, and deserts, often nesting on cliffs or tall trees that provide wide views of its hunting grounds.
Golden eagles have dark brown plumage accented by golden feathers on the nape and crown, powerful talons, and a sharp, hooked beak.
They have a wingspan between 5.94ft and 7.59ft and a body length of 28in to 40in. Like in most raptors, females are slightly larger and heavier than males. Adult males generally weigh between 6.6lb and 11lb, while females weigh 8.8lb to 14.3lb.
Golden eagles are generally solitary or live in pairs, and most of their interactions are limited to mating and raising young. Adults strongly defend large territories against other golden eagles, especially during the breeding season.
Enrichments
Food-Based Enrichments
Bamboo Feeder
Block of Frozen Fish
Perch Feeder
Ribbed Feeder
Habitat Enrichments
Mirror Mobile
Perch 01
Perch 02
Rubber Snake
Shredding Perch
Conservation Topics
Mountain Ecosystem Ambience
Diurnal Behavior
Climate Change
Habitat Loss
Wildlife Poisoning
Carnivore Diet
Bird Evolution
Golden Eagle Fact Sheet
Flying Animals
Lives of Birds Talk
Golden Eagle Name Plate
Lifecycle
Golden eagles are generally solitary or live in pairs, and most of their interactions are limited to mating and raising young. Adults strongly defend large territories against other golden eagles, especially during the breeding season.
Golden eagles form long-term, often lifelong, monogamous pair bonds. Courtship usually takes place in late winter to early spring and includes synchronised soaring, circling, and aerial dives. Both new and existing pairs perform these displays to create or reaffirm their bond. Together, a pair builds or refurbishes their nest, or eyrie, on a cliff, tall tree or other tall vantage points.
After mating, the female typically lays 1 to 4 eggs, though two is most common, and she incubates them for about 40 to 45 days while the male provides food. Hatchlings are covered in white down and grow quickly, though competition between siblings can be intense, often leading to the survival of only 1 or 2 chicks. The young fledge at around 10 to 12 weeks of age, but may remain dependent on the parents for food and protection for several more months, before finally dispersing.
Golden eagles reach maturity at about 4 to 5 years old, at which point they establish their own territories and search for a mate of their own.
Statistics
Litter Size
1-3
Gestation / Incubation Period
0 months
Interbirth Period
12 months
Reproduction Difficulty
Easy
Age Of Sexual Sterility
Death
Age Of Sexual Maturity
5 years
Juvenile5 years
Adult11 years
Elderly24 years
Animal Facts
Golden eagles can reach speeds up to 193km/h when diving, or ‘stooping’, after prey.
Golden eagle nests are large structures: average nests are about 5.61ft to 6.6ft wide and 24in high, but some record nests have been 19.8ft tall and 8.58ft wide.
Golden eagles use and reuse and add to the same nests or territories over many years.
Young golden eagles usually have white patches which they lose with molts as they approach adult plumage.
A golden eagle’s vision is 4 to 8 times stronger than a human’s, allowing it to spot prey from over 1.86 miles away.
Conservation
While considered to be of Least Concern, the golden eagle is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation due to land conversion for agricultural, forestry, urban and infrastructure use. This limits their ability to hunt, find mates, and nest. In some areas, they are also directly persecuted by shooting, trapping and poisoning. Secondary lead poisoning from eating carcasses containing ammunition is also a threat. They are also at risk from collision and electrocution by power lines or wind turbines. Climate change additionally alters prey and habitat availability.
Many efforts go into recovery help and better habitat protection. In the UK, juvenile and sub-adult golden eagles have been translocated to improve the population in Southern Scotland, with considerable success. Legal protection is also strong in many countries, making it illegal to harm or disturb the birds and their nests. Moreover, habitat restoration and land management practices are improved in many places to reduce human‐caused mortality and enhance habitat connectivity.
Native Range
North America, Europe, Northern Africa, Asia
Statistics
Wild Population
85,000 - 160,000
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Valid Reserves
Scottish Highlands
Sweden Reserve
Poland Reserve
Valid Release Group Types
Breeding Partners
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Planet Zoo 2 is in active development and the Zoopedia reflects this work in progress. Text, images, stats etc. are not necessarily final and may change or be expanded upon.
Bamboo Feeder
Block of Frozen Fish
Perch Feeder
Ribbed Feeder
Mirror Mobile
Perch 01
Perch 02
Rubber Snake
Shredding Perch
