Golden Eagle

The Golden Eagle is one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey in North America, a formidable hunter of open and mountainous terrain across the western half of the continent. Adults are uniformly dark brown, with a wash of golden-buff feathering across the nape and back of the head that gives the species its name.

Golden Eagles have fully feathered legs down to the toes, distinguishing them from Bald Eagles at any age. Juveniles show bold white patches at the base of the tail and in the wings, which are gradually lost over several years as the bird matures.

Key field marks

• Uniformly dark brown body at all ages
• Golden-buff feathering on the nape and crown
• Fully feathered legs down to the toes
• Juvenile: bold white patches at the base of the tail and in the wings
• Holds wings in a slight, shallow dihedral (V-shape) while soaring

Similar species

Bald Eagle (immature) shows more irregular, patchy white mottling scattered across the body and underwing linings rather than a clean tail base and wing patches, and has bare (unfeathered) lower legs. Turkey Vulture is similarly dark but has a small bare red or gray head, silvery flight feathers, and holds its wings in a more pronounced, wobbly V while soaring.

Habitat

Favors open and semi-open landscapes: grasslands, shrub-steppe, deserts, and mountainous or canyon terrain, generally avoiding dense forest.

Range

Found across much of the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, most common in the western United States and western Canada, with smaller numbers in eastern Canada; some populations are year-round residents while others, especially northern breeders, migrate south for winter.

Behavior

A powerful, agile predator despite its large size, the Golden Eagle hunts using fast, low glides over terrain or stoops from soaring height, capable of taking prey as large as young deer or pronghorn on occasion, though small to medium mammals make up the bulk of the diet.

Voice

Relatively quiet away from the nest; calls include a high, thin yelping or chirping note, weaker-sounding than its powerful appearance might suggest.

Feeding and nesting

Diet centers on mammals such as jackrabbits, cottontails, and ground squirrels, supplemented with birds and carrion, especially in winter. Builds a massive stick nest on a cliff ledge or in a large tree, reused and enlarged over many years by the same pair, which mates for life and defends a large territory.