Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
A large, dark brown eagle with lighter tawny yellow or rufous pink feathers on the back of the head, nape and "shoulders"
which gives rise to the name "Golden" Eagle.
Golden Eagles eat large mammals (rabbits, squirrels, foxes, cats, even deer and goats) and large birds
(pigeons, gulls, ducks and even geese/swans).
They soar on thermals and seek out prey with their excellent eyesight. The wingspan is 6-7 feet.
They are native to much of Eurasia, North Africa and North America. In Eurasia from Scotland to East Siberia and from
the Iberian Peninsula and north Africa through the Middle East and Central Asia.
The distinctive lighter "shoulder".
The "golden" back of the head.
Flies with beak partially open, at least for strenuous low altitude.
As with many birds of prey, the female is much larger than the male. She has similar plumage,
but juveniles are uniformly dark brown without the "golden" or pink lighter areas; juveniles also have white on their upper tails.