Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a majestic bird of prey that resides across the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed species of eagle and is known for its dark brown plumage with lighter golden-brown feathers on its napes. Juveniles typically exhibit white on their tails and may have white markings on their wings.

Identification Tips

Adult golden eagles are primarily dark brown with some grey on the inner wing and tail. A distinctive feature is the paler golden color on the back of the crown and nape. Juveniles are darker, with a blackish back and a broad, black band on the tail. They may also have white patches on the wings.

Habitat

Golden eagles favor open or semi-open areas for hunting and are often found in mountainous regions. They are adaptable to various habitats, including tundra edges, taiga, grasslands, and deserts, avoiding heavily forested and developed areas.

Distribution

This species has a vast range, from Eurasia across North America to parts of North Africa. It is present in sizeable stretches of its range, despite being extirpated from or uncommon in some heavily populated areas.

Behaviour

Golden eagles are known for their agility and powerful flight, often soaring with a slight dihedral. They are monogamous and may remain with their partner for several years or possibly for life. These birds are territorial, maintaining large home ranges.

Song & Calls

Golden eagles are generally silent but may emit weak, high, and shrill vocalizations, especially during the breeding season.

Breeding

Golden eagles typically mate for life and engage in courtship displays that involve aerial maneuvers and rock or stick catching. They build large nests in cliffs and high places, returning to them for several breeding years. Females lay up to four eggs, with usually one or two young surviving to fledge.

Similar Species

The golden eagle can be distinguished from other raptors by its size, coloration, and flight patterns. It is larger than most other raptors, except for some vultures and the California condor.

Diet and Feeding

Golden eagles primarily hunt small to medium-sized mammals, such as hares, rabbits, and marmots. They are also known to prey on other birds, reptiles, and occasionally large animals like seals and ungulates.

Conservation status

The golden eagle is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an estimated global population of 170,000 to 250,000 individuals. However, it has experienced population declines and local extirpations due to human activities.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Golden Eagle Fun Facts

Did you know?
The Golden Eagle is the national bird of Albania, Germany, Mexico & Scotland

Golden Eagles on Birda

Sightings

More Kites, Hawks, Eagles

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
Emcil24
A Friendly Place
I love using the bird app, I have a pretty good knowledge of birds. But I do have some gaps in it, so it’s nice to have a safe space to check on a sighting to confirm the species. It’s really enjoyable and I love the badges you can collect. It’s like a real life Pokémon go.
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.