A sizable eagle that puts all other winged creatures in perspective. This one can grow to a wingspan of 95 inches! That's just under nine feet long!
Adult Golden Eagles range widely in size across their range. The largest races comprise the largest eagles of the genus Aquila. Length may vary from 66 to 100 cm (26-40 inches), wingspan can range from 150 to 240 cm (59-95 inches), and weight is from 2.5 to 7 kg (5.5-15.4 lbs). As in with all birds of prey, the females are generally slightly larger than the males. The plumage colours range from black-brown to dark brown, with a striking golden-buff crown and nape, which give the bird its name. The juveniles resemble the adults, but have a duller more mottled appearance. Also they haveand a white-banded tail and a white patch at the carpal joint, that gradually disappear with every moultmolt until full adult plumage is reached in the fifth year.
Reproduction
A pair of Golden Eagles remains together for life. They build several eyries within their territory and use them alternately for several years. The nest consists of heavy tree branches, upholstered with grass. Old eyries may be 2 two meters (6.6 feet) in diameter and 1 one meter (3.3 feet) in height, as the eagles enlarge their nests every year. If the eyrie is situated on a tree, supporting tree branches may break because of the weight of the nest. The female lays two eggs between January and May (depending on the area). After 45 days, the young eggs hatch. They are entirely white and are fed for fifty days before they are able to make their first flight attempts and eat on their own. In most cases only the older chick, which takes most of the food, survives, while the younger one dies without leaving the eyrie.
Hunting
Golden Eagles often have a division of labor while hunting: one partner drives the prey to its waiting partner. They have very good eyesight and can spot prey from a long distance. The talons are used for killing and carrying the prey, the beak is used only for eating. Their prey includes marmots, hares and, mice, and sometimes birds, martens, foxes, young deer, and or livestock, including lambs and kids. During winter months when prey is scarce, Golden Eagles scavenge on carrion to supplement their diet.
