Golden Eagle

Recognition

The king of birds. The Golden Eagle stands about three feet high and can spread its gigantic golden wings some eight feet. The female grows nearly a third larger than the male. Golden Eagles, unlike the Bald Eagles, have feathers on their legs that extend down to their feet like "boots". The Golden Eagle's dark eyes, also separate them from the yellow eyes of Bald eagles.

Haunts

Most breed in the alpine and spend winters at lower elevations. Their huge nests are usually on cliff ledges, although trees are also used. The cliff nest are usually less massive than tree nests, however the largest nest recorded, a 21 foot pile of sticks, was found on a cliff edge.

Schedule

Migration periods are not well known. Spring movement probably occurs from March to mid April and autumn migration likely takes place in September and October.

Field Notes

Eagle feathers are very sturdy yet light. Pound for pound, an eagle's wing is stronger than a wing of an airplane. A four week old Golden Eagle possess vision that is telescopic, microscopic, monocular, binocular, and about eight times finer than man's. Mature birds can spot a rabbit two miles away. When it sights its prey it dives at a speed that is said to reach 150 to 200 miles per hour. In the wild, the Golden Eagle can live 40 to 50 years.