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An eagle is defined as a large bird belonging to the hawk species. The Golden Eagle is a dark colored bird of the family, Accipitridae. This bird is one of two species of eagles found in North America, and is considered a "bird of prey," closely related to vultures, falcons and eagles.
CHARACTERISTICS
The Golden Eagle's name is a bit deceiving. Golden Eagles are actually dark brown in color, except for a bright golden nape fathers it carries over the back of the head and neck. This bird has a gray, hooked beak, large yellow feet and long talons. This bird distinguishes itself from other eagles and most other birds by growing feathers down it's legs and to the feet. In the greater majority of eagles (and birds), legs are hair and featherless and often scaled.
The female Golden Eagle is larger than the male, measuring 3 feet from beak to tail, with a wingspan of 8 feet. The Golden Eagle is considerably larger than the Bald Eagle, and can weigh as much as 15 pounds.
Golden Eagles only migrate a short distance from their nest at any given time. During the winter this eagle is most often found in the western half of the United States living in areas of high vegetation or wetlands.
LIFESTYLE
The Golden Eagle lives in North America from Mexico to the Pacific coast and through the Rockies. It has also been spotted as far north as the Arctic Ocean. Only the Golden Eagle and Bald Eagle reside in the United States today.
Though a small number of nests have been found in large trees, most Golden Eagles prefer to live on cliff ledges in large nests made of sticks and twigs. This type of eagle uses the same nest year after year, adding more sticks for stabilization. It is not uncommon for an adult eagle of this species to live in a nest that measures 6 feet in diameter and 5 feet in height.
The Golden Eagle survives on a diet consisting mostly of mammals. Typical prey for the eagle ranges from mice and lizards to rabbit and deer. During breeding season, the Golden Eagle preys upon smaller birds, which are small and tender enough for their young.
The eagle almost always mates for life and both parents handle rearing responsibilities. The female lays 1-4 brown, splotchy eggs per year and both parents incubate the eggs for 40-45 days. Once the eagles have broken out of their shell, the father handles most of the food responsibility, while the mother tends to them in the nest.
TODAY
The Golden Eagle is currently protected by federal law throughout North America. Special permits, however, are issued to lamb farmers if it is believed the animals are in danger of destroying livestock.
Golden Eagles are considered easier to handle and maintain in captivity, but are not frequently found in zoos because of their extreme strength. It is estimated that some 70,000 Golden Eagles live in North America today.
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