Wildlife Guide · North America & Europe
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
One of the largest and fastest birds of prey
Image: Photo: Giles Laurent / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
In brief
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).
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
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.
0.9 m
Typical length
4.5 kg
Typical weight
240 km/h
Top speed
25 yrs
Lifespan
Figures sourced from Wikipedia — Golden Eagle, Wikidata — Golden Eagle .
Golden Eagle: Quick Facts
| 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) |
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Aquila |
Conservation Status
- IUCN Status
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List category)
- Population
- Global population not compiled for this guide
- Trend
- See the IUCN Red List assessment
- Assessed
- See the IUCN Red List assessment
- CITES
- See CITES appendices
Conservation figures are drawn from the IUCN Red List and CITES; this guide links to the authoritative sources rather than restating population counts.
Key Facts: Golden Eagle
- The golden eagle is a large, dark-brown raptor named for the golden feathers that gleam on the nape and crown.
- 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.
- Golden eagles range widely across the Northern Hemisphere, breeding in North America, Europe, North Africa, and much of Asia.
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.
What WARN Does
WARN does not run a dedicated golden eagle programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The golden eagle is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the golden eagle supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.
Golden Eagle: Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can a golden eagle fly?
What do golden eagles eat?
How big is a golden eagle?
Where do golden eagles live?
How long do golden eagles live?
Are golden eagles endangered?
Are golden eagles dangerous?
Sources & References
Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.
Terms used on this page
Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.
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