Discover

Today
Animals
Explore
Archive
Search

Use it

Classroom
Resources
Field lab
Quiz
Saved

Trust

Methodology
Sources
Corrections
Accessibility
Contributors

Details

About
Contact
Privacy
Terms
Newsletter

Animal profile

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

AvesOpen and semi-open country: mountains, moorland, tundra, steppe and canyon landLeast Concern

Field profile

A large booted eagle of open uplands, dark brown with golden hackles on the nape. It hunts mammals such as hares, marmots and ground squirrels by low quartering flight and stooping attacks, and defends very large territories. It is one of the most widely distributed eagles in the world.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2025-06-19

Golden Eagle

One golden eagle pair patrols dozens of square kilometres

A breeding pair of golden eagles may hold a home range spanning tens of square kilometres, and in poor upland habitat considerably more. The territory is defended by conspicuous undulating display flights rather than by constant physical combat.

Read with evidence →

Golden Eagle | Daily Animal Facts