Golden eagles are magnificent birds of prey, widely recognized across the Northern Hemisphere for their impressive size. These raptors inhabit diverse landscapes, from open mountains and grasslands to deserts and tundra, establishing themselves as powerful hunters within their ecosystems. Understanding their unique physical traits and behaviors is important for identification.
Adult Appearance
An adult golden eagle measures between 27.6 to 33.1 inches in length with a wingspan ranging from 72.8 to 86.6 inches (about 6 to 7.2 feet). Females are larger than males, with weights ranging from 7.9 to 14.5 pounds for females and 6.2 to 9.9 pounds for males. The plumage is predominantly dark brown, contrasted by a distinctive golden-brown sheen on the back of the crown and nape, which gives the species its common name.
The golden eagle has a large, hooked beak that is dark at the tip and often fades to a lighter color with a yellow base. Their eyes are dark brown, contributing to their intense gaze. Their strong feet are equipped with large, sharp talons designed for seizing prey. Unlike some other raptors, golden eagles have legs fully feathered down to their feet.
Juvenile Characteristics and Flight Profile
Juvenile golden eagles display distinct plumage differences from adults, which are crucial for identification. Younger birds feature neatly defined white patches at the base of their primary flight feathers on the underside of their wings. They also possess a prominent white tail with a broad, dark terminal band, which gradually darkens as they mature. These white markings fade over their first few years, with full adult plumage developing by four to five years of age.
In flight, golden eagles have a characteristic flight silhouette. They soar or glide with their broad wings held in a slight “V” shape, known as a dihedral. This wing position distinguishes them from other soaring birds. When flapping, their wingbeats are powerful and deliberate, allowing them to maintain altitude or gain speed.
Distinguishing Golden Eagles from Other Raptors
Differentiating golden eagles from other large raptors, particularly bald eagles and large hawks, involves observing specific features and flight patterns. Juvenile bald eagles are sometimes confused with golden eagles due to their mottled brown plumage. However, juvenile golden eagles have more concentrated white patches on their wings and a white tail with a dark band, unlike the scattered white markings on juvenile bald eagles.
Adult bald eagles are identified by their white head and tail, contrasting with the golden eagle’s dark brown body and golden nape. In flight, bald eagles hold their wings flat, while golden eagles maintain a slight dihedral. Golden eagles also have fully feathered legs, whereas bald eagles have bare lower legs.
Compared to large hawks like the red-tailed hawk, golden eagles are larger, with wingspans of 72–86 inches compared to the red-tailed hawk’s 53 inches. Golden eagles have straighter, broader wings than red-tailed hawks’, and their flight is more powerful and less reliant on frequent flapping.