Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a large raptor of mountains, open country, cliffs, deserts, and northern landscapes across much of the Northern Hemisphere. Adults are dark brown with golden-brown feathering on the nape, long broad wings, and powerful feet for taking hares, ground squirrels, birds, young ungulates, and carrion. Pairs often use large stick nests on cliffs or tall trees and may maintain territories for many years when prey and nesting sites remain suitable.

Human interaction includes falconry in some cultures, rehabilitation, conservation monitoring, and conflict prevention around livestock or infrastructure. Legal possession requires permits and specialized facilities, since eagles need large secure mews, whole-prey diets, experienced handling, and careful feather and foot care. Field teams monitor nest success, poisoning, lead exposure, electrocution, wind-energy collisions, and disturbance near nesting cliffs. Ranch and range work can reduce conflict by managing carcasses, protecting lambing areas, and avoiding poisons that pass through prey or carrion.