• Skip to Content
  • Skip to Main Navigation
  • Skip to Local Navigation
  • Skip to Search
  • Skip to Sitemap
  • Skip to Footer
We won a Webby Award!

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos ORDER: FALCONIFORMES FAMILY: ACCIPITRIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

  • Similar Species
  • Related Species
  • Go to:
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.

Get BNA: the definitive resource for North American birds

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.

Range Map Help

Golden Eagle Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

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.

    You Might Also Like

    Get the Lead Out: Ingesting lead bullet fragments has a devastating effect on wildlife—and humans. Story and photos in Living Bird magazine.

    Golden Eagles and Us: Story and photos in Living Bird magazine.