Golden Eagle

The golden eagle is one of the best-known birds in Spain, but it is also the most threatened because it is currently in danger of extinction. Characterized by its agility, speed, and bearing, it is perhaps one of the most beautiful as well as dangerous animals. And that is why it attracts so much attention.

If you've always wanted know what the golden eagle is like, the types that exist, as well as much more information about it, then you have come to the right place because in this section we will talk about everything related to this bird.

Golden eagle characteristics

The golden eagle, known by its scientific name Aquila Chrysaetos, also receives others. For example, the caudal eagle. It is a bird that is part of the family Accipitridae. Its size tends to be quite large, being the females larger than males. It is capable of reaching 2,3 meters from one wing to the other (these are deployed) and measuring more than one meter from beak to tail. Regarding its weight, the golden eagle is a large animal, because it can weigh between approximately 4 and 7 kilos (in the case of males they do not exceed 4,5 kilos).

What most characterizes the golden eagle is its color. It is brown, but in different shades. For example, in the case of the head and neck, it is usually a golden brown, while on the shoulders, or at the end of its tail, the hue becomes white. In fact, young golden eagles are more white than brown, especially in the tail area, but little by little the entire plumage darkens.

Something that usually stands out from other eagles is the fact that this It also has feathers on the legs, something that does not happen in the same way with others. It also has very powerful and strong claws, capable of catching its prey and taking flight with it, despite its weight, without letting it escape. Together with its beak, curved and pointed, in order to hurt its "food" and thus feed on it, it becomes an animal that must be respected.

Habitat

The golden eagle is a animal that is distributed in the northern part of the planet, especially in Europe, Asia and also in some areas of North America and even Africa. In the case of Spain, the golden eagle is found in the peninsular mountain systems. It is estimated that in our country there are between 1500 and 1800 breeding pairs of golden eagles, a good proportion considering that in Europe there are only between 6000 and 12000 pairs.

Once they settle in a certain place, they are reluctant to leave it. Therefore, they are considered sedentary birds. In the case of young specimens, they do tend to fly with a little more freedom, but always staying in the previously mentioned areas.

And it is that the golden eagle adapts to any environment where it can live, even if there are feeding problems and it must eat carrion. This is the main reason why it has not yet become extinct. You can find them in areas of coniferous forests, meadows, steppes, thickets, etc. It likes to establish its home in sparsely populated areas, even desolate, thus seeking tranquility and protection at the same time. However, you will not find it at more than 3700 meters above sea level.

Types of golden eagle

The golden eagle, due to the fact that it exists in several countries, has several subspecies that differ in their physique, or even in their behavior. At the moment, it is known that there are six different, Which are the following:

• Aquila chrysaetos homeyeri. It is the one that is present in Spain and there are also specimens in the north of Africa.
• Aquila chrysaetos chrysaetos. It is found in Europe and Russia.
• Aquila chrysaetos daphanea. Located in central Asia.
• Aquila chrysaetos japonica. It is the subspecies that you can find in Korea and Japan.
• Aquila chrysaetos kamtschatica. Native only to Siberia.
• Aquila chrysaetos canadensis. Known mostly in North America to the Baja California peninsula and the Sonoran desert.
• Aquila chrysaetos simurgh. This subspecies is extinct and belonged to the island of Crete. It is said that it was a mythological bird so large and powerful that it was capable of flying with an elephant in its claws.

Golden eagle feeding

The golden eagle cannot be said to be a "sybarite" bird, since its diet does not include great delicacies. Nor does it mind eating carrion or spoiled food, since has adapted to eating what it finds, either other animals or whatever is on the way.

It is one of the few that hunts in the air, both other birds and animals on the ground. To do this, it usually plummets, extending its legs at the last moment to catch its prey with its claws. And what are these? Well, we are talking about mice, rabbits, foxes, snakes, hares, marmots... but also deer, wild boars, goats... Despite the fact that they may weigh more, it is capable enough to fight and even take flight with that extra .

The reproduction

The golden eagle usually reproduces once a year. The period chosen is usually from the end of January to the beginning of April. It begins with a "nuptial stop", that is, the moment in which the males "fight" for the females. seeking to capture the attention of one of them in order to carry out the mating. If it is successful, and this occurs, the laying of the eggs is not usually immediate, but occurs at the end of February and the beginning of March. Meanwhile, both specimens will take care of building the nest, made with herbs, branches and everything they can find. They locate it mainly in the trees, although they do not have a predilection for a specific type.

The golden eagle lays only one to three eggs. These are small-medium in size and dull white in color with some brown spots. During 41-45 days the female, and only she, will incubate the eggs in the nest. Once they are born, it is the two parents who take care of the young, although the female is usually always vigilant of them. They do it for only 30 days, from the following days they let the young feed themselves, although it does not mean that they leave the nest, but rather that they spend about three months with their parents before separating from them.

If you want to know everything about this magnificent animal, do not hesitate to visit this section.