Golden Eagle

About the Golden Eagle

The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a bird of prey living in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed species of eagle. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. They are one of the best-known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. These birds are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their napes. Immature eagles of this species typically have white on the tail and often have white markings on the wings. Golden eagles use their agility and speed combined with powerful feet and large, sharp talons to hunt a variety of prey, mainly hares, rabbits, and marmots and other ground squirrels. Golden eagles maintain home ranges or territories that may be as large as 200 km2 (77 sq mi).

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name

Aquila chrysaetos

Family

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

Order

Accipitriformes

Similar species

Other members of the hawks, eagles, and kites family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

• American Goshawk Astur atricapillus
• Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
• Bicolored Hawk Astur bicolor
• Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus
• Black Kite Milvus migrans
• Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus melanoleucus
• Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis
• Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
• Chinese Sparrowhawk Tachyspiza soloensis
• Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus
• Cooper's Hawk Astur cooperii
• Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens