Golden Eagle by Ivan Franyuk

Description The Golden Eagle is a large, dark brown bird with broad wings. Its size is variable: it ranges from 66 to 102 cm in length and it has a typical wingspan about 2 m. It weights up to 7 kgs. Adults are usually brown, with a pale gold colour on the back of the head, and some grey on the wings and tail.

Reproduction Golden Eagles usually mate for life. They build several eyries within their territory and use them for several years. Old eyries may be 2 metres in diameter and 1 metre in height. The female lays one to four (usually two) eggs. The incubation continues for 45 days. Then for 50 days both parents feed the chicks. At around 10 weeks of age, the chicks start to fly and begin to eat on their own.

Feeding Golden Eagles use their quickness and speed combined with extremely powerful claws to haunt on rabbits, marmots, squirrels, and large mammals such as foxes. They usually hunt by flying slowly while scanning the environment, often around mountainous slopes. When prey is spotted, the eagle makes a short race hoping to shock its prey or engages in a longer rapid chase.