# Golden Eagle (*Aquila chrysaetos*)

> The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the largest and fastest birds of prey, found across the mountains, open hills, and tundra of the Northern Hemisphere. It weighs around 4.5 kg with a wingspan of 1.8 to 2.3 m, and in a hunting dive it can exceed 240 km/h (150 mph). This powerful aerial hunter takes hares, marmots, and birds, lives 20 to 30 years, and is listed as Least Concern.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Mountains and open country across North America, Europe, North Africa, and much of Asia.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/golden-eagle/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Accipitriformes
- **Family:** Accipitridae
- **Genus:** Aquila

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Aquila chrysaetos |
| Diet | Carnivore (hares, marmots, birds, carrion) |
| Habitat | Mountains, open hills, and tundra |
| Lifespan | 20–30 years in the wild |
| Wingspan | 1.8–2.3 m (6–7.5 ft) |
| Top speed | Over 240 km/h (150 mph) in a dive |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Appearance and identification

The golden eagle is a large, dark-brown raptor named for the golden feathers that gleam on the nape and crown. Adults weigh around 4.5 kg and span 1.8 to 2.3 m (6 to 7.5 ft) from wingtip to wingtip, with females noticeably larger than males. In flight it holds its long, broad wings in a shallow V and soars with only occasional wingbeats. Young birds show white patches at the base of the tail and in the wings that fade as they mature.

## Hunting and flight

The golden eagle is a superb flier that hunts on the wing, soaring on rising air and then folding its wings into a steep, high-speed stoop. In such a dive it can exceed 240 km/h (150 mph), striking prey with long, powerful talons. It is a carnivore that takes hares, rabbits, marmots, ground squirrels, and birds up to the size of a goose, and readily feeds on carrion in winter. Pairs sometimes hunt cooperatively, one flushing prey while the other makes the kill.

## Habitat and range

Golden eagles range widely across the Northern Hemisphere, breeding in North America, Europe, North Africa, and much of Asia. They favour open, rugged country such as mountains, moorland, hills, and tundra where they can spot prey from the air. Large home ranges and cliff or tree nest sites are essential to a breeding pair. In Britain the species survives mainly in the Scottish Highlands and islands.

## Nesting and reproduction

Golden eagles pair for life and build huge stick nests, called eyries, on cliff ledges or in tall trees, reusing and enlarging them over many years. The female usually lays one to three eggs, and the pair defends a large territory throughout the breeding season. Where more than one chick hatches, the older and stronger often outcompetes its sibling. Young birds fledge after around ten weeks but depend on their parents for some time before dispersing.

## Lifespan and behaviour

Golden eagles are long-lived, typically reaching 20 to 30 years in the wild. They are territorial and largely solitary outside the breeding pair, patrolling extensive ranges in search of food. Their eyesight is exceptionally sharp, letting them detect prey from great distances as they soar. Revered in many cultures, the golden eagle has long been a symbol of power and remains an emblem of wild, mountainous country.

## Conservation status

The golden eagle is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains widespread across its huge global range. Even so, it faces regional threats from illegal persecution, poisoning, collisions with power lines and wind turbines, and disturbance at nest sites. In some countries, including Britain, populations are recovering thanks to legal protection and reduced persecution. Safeguarding large tracts of open upland habitat is important for its long-term future.

## Frequently asked questions

### How fast can a golden eagle fly?

In a hunting dive, or stoop, a golden eagle can exceed 240 km/h (150 mph). In level flight it is much slower, cruising and soaring on rising air to conserve energy.

### What do golden eagles eat?

They are carnivores that hunt hares, rabbits, marmots, ground squirrels, and birds up to the size of a goose. In winter they also feed readily on carrion when live prey is scarce.

### How big is a golden eagle?

Adults weigh around 4.5 kg and have a wingspan of 1.8 to 2.3 m (6 to 7.5 ft). Females are noticeably larger than males, as in most birds of prey.

### Where do golden eagles live?

They range across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia, favouring mountains, open hills, and tundra. In Britain they survive mainly in the Scottish Highlands and islands.

### How long do golden eagles live?

In the wild golden eagles typically live 20 to 30 years. They pair for life and can raise young over many breeding seasons in the same territory.

### Are golden eagles endangered?

No. The golden eagle is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and is widespread globally. Regional threats include illegal persecution, poisoning, and collisions with power lines and wind turbines.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Aquila chrysaetos.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Aquila%20chrysaetos&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Aquila chrysaetos. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Aquila_chrysaetos/)
- [Wikipedia — Golden Eagle.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_eagle)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/golden-eagle/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.