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Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos ORDER: FALCONIFORMES FAMILY: ACCIPITRIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Golden Eagle Photo

© Jim Weaver / CLO

Found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, the Golden Eagle is common in western North America, but rare in the East. It is one of the largest birds of prey in North America; only the Bald Eagle and California Condor get larger.

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Appearance

Hawks
Hawks
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Very large raptor.
  • Large hooked bill.
  • Dark brown all over, with golden sheen on head.
  • Very long and broad wings.
  • Long broad tail.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to adult, but with white base to tail and white patches in wings.

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Golden Eagle Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

Similar Species

  • Young Bald Eagle has bare yellow legs, white scattered across wings and body, and soars with flat wings.
  • Turkey Vulture holds its wings up in a pronounced dihedral, often tilts from side to side while soaring, lacks a dark trailing edge to the silvery wing feathers, and lacks mottling on the upper side of the wings.
  • Young California Condor is larger and has white in the linings of the wings, not the flight feathers.