Reproduction

The breeding season is highly variable across their extensive range. It may occur anytime from January to September.

Pairs will remain together for life. Courtship sees the two birds soaring together, completing switchback undulations and stoops.

Their nest is built on a cliff edge or in a tree. Across their life they can have several nests but some are used year after year. Known as an eyrie their nest may eventually grow to be 4m (13ft) deep. It is formed from sticks. Both members of the pair work to build the nest.

These birds deposit up to 2 eggs in their nest with one clutch raised each year. These eggs are incubated for between 43 and 45 days. Chicks are known as eaglets.

While two eggs are laid it is most common for the older, larger chick to attack its younger sibling.

The parents will tear food in to strips to feed them. They will provide food for several months after the chicks fledge which occurs at 50 days old.

Young individuals have a dull appearance compared to an adult with a white-band on the tail and a white patch on each wing. As they grow and molt they will lose these features.

Sexual maturity is reached between 3 and 4 years old.

Behavior

During the day golden eagles have great eyesight allowing them to find food from a distance away. At night their eyesight is not much better than ours. They may spot prey as far away as 3km (2miles).

While the eyes do not move much in the socket they are able to rotate the head up to 270 degrees allowing them to see.

During a dive a golden eagle may reach speeds of up to 193km (120 miles).

While often listed as solitary they may remain in small groups year round. Breeding pairs may live together year round in a territory which they defend against invasion.

For much of the year the golden eagle is considered quite but will make a shrill high-pitched noise during the breeding season. They can also produce a chrip, cluck, hiss or honk.

Predators and Threats

Adults face few natural predators though they are harassed by birds such as jays and other raptors. Chicks are hunted by wolverines and grizzly bears.

Golden eagles have faced persecution by ranchers which saw them as threat to sheep and other livestock.

In North America the golden eagle received federal protection in 1962.

These birds are inadvertently killed when they land on power lines or by flying in to wind turbines. They may be attracted to these through the strong winds.

Secondary poisoning through eating bait or lead shots which are in their prey. Declines in prey availability such as rabbits further impact on their survival.

Habitat loss has been identified as one of the most significant influences on their decline.

These birds faced major threats throughout their range during the 19th century. Recently their populations has stabilized. In parts of their range they are still declining.

In parts of central Asia the golden eagle is used in falconry.

Quick facts

Albania, Austria, Germany, Kazakhstan and Mexico all list the golden eagle as their national bird.

They are the most widespread species of eagle in the genus Aquila.

The chrysaetos portion of their scientific name means gold eagle.

A former tale suggested that the golden eagle would steal infants from their cribs.