[4] More surprisingly, the smaller, much paler-bellied sister species Bonelli's eagle (A. fasciatus) and African hawk-eagle (A. spilogaster), previously included in the genus Hieraaetus, have been revealed to be genetically much closer to the Verreaux's and golden eagle lineage than to other species traditionally included in the genus Aquila. [3] Occasionally, golden eagles may be killed by their prey in self-defense. The female takes a clump of earth and drops and catches it in the same fashion.
Typical vegetation is stunted, fragmented larch woodland merging into low birch-willow scrub and various heathland. [74] Display flights seem to be triggered by the presence of other golden eagles. [73] Usually, non-breeding birds are treated aggressively by the golden eagle maintaining their home range, normally being chased to the apparent limit of the range but with no actual physical contact. This area is characterized by low mountains, Mediterranean maquis vegetation, and sub-temperate open woodland. The voice of the golden eagle is considered weak, high, and shrill, has been called "quite pathetic" and "puppy-like", and seems incongruous with the formidable size and nature of the species. The Golden Eagle is one of the largest, fastest, nimblest raptors in North America. Included in this group are all species described as "hawk eagles" including the genera Spizaetus and Nisaetus, as well as assorted monotypical genera such as Oroaetus, Lophaetus, Stephanoaetus, Polemaetus, Lophotriorchis and Ictinaetus. These areas are dominated by stands of evergreens such as pine, larch and spruce, occasionally supplemented by birch and alder stands in southern Scandinavia and the Baltic States. [101] On the Isle of Rùm in Scotland, there are a few cases of red deer trampling golden eagles to death, probably the result of a doe having intercepted a bird that was trying to kill a fawn. From the Alaska Range to Washington and Oregon, it is often found in high mountains above the tree line or on bluffs and cliffs along river valleys below the tree line. The Bald Eagle is the national bird and a symbol of the United States of America. [22], This species moults gradually beginning in March or April until September or October each year. In this habitat, trees are generally absent other than junipers with vegetation being dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia) and other low shrub species. [35][37] The genus Hieraaetus, including the booted eagle (H. pennatus), little eagle (H. morphnoides) and Ayres's hawk-eagle (H. ayresii), consists of much smaller species, that are in fact smallest birds called eagles outside of the unrelated Spilornis serpent-eagle genus. [24] They are equipped with broad, long wings with somewhat finger-like indentations on the tips of the wing. With their acute vision, they are able to spot prey a mile down below. [6] Some recent studies have gone so far as to propose that only two subspecies be recognized based on genetic markers: Aquila chrysaetos chrysaetos (including A. c. homeyeri) and A. c. canadensis (including A. c. japonica, A. c. daphanea and A. c.
[12] Captive birds have been measured with a wingspan of 2.81 m (9 ft 3 in) and a mass of 12.1 kg (27 lb), though this mass was for an eagle bred for falconry, which tend to be unnaturally heavy. An attempted capture of a great blue heron by a golden eagle resulted in the death of both birds from wounds sustained in the ensuing fight. However, they are not solely tied to high elevations and can breed in lowlands if the local habitats are suitable. In central Europe, golden eagles today occur almost exclusively in the major mountain ranges, such as the Pyrenees, Alps, Carpathians, and the Caucasus. In Tibet, golden eagles inhabit high ridges and passes in the Lhasa River watershed, where they regularly joins groups of soaring Himalayan vultures (Gyps himalayensis). [104] Of natural sources of death, starvation is probably under-reported. [31] Confusion is most likely between juvenile Haliaeetus and golden eagles, as the adult golden has a more solidly golden-brown coloration and all Haliaeetus eagles have obvious distinctive plumages as adults. Golden eagles maintain home ranges or territories that may be as large as 200 km2 (77 sq mi). Most sightings in the Eastern United States recently are concentrated within or along southwestern border of the Appalachian Plateau (30% of records) and within the Coastal Plain physiographic region (33% of records). Most early-recorded cultures regarded the golden eagle with reverence. [3] The golden eagles who breed in eastern Canada winter on montane grass and heath fields in the Appalachian Plateau region, especially in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia. [67][68] In Eastern North America, the species still breeds on the Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec. They then often engage in a similar posture with wings spread wide and oriented toward the threat; sometimes rocking back on tail and even flopping over onto the back with talons extended upward as defense.
[92], Golden eagles usually mate for life. [3] The territorial flight of the adult golden eagle is sometimes preceded or followed by intense bouts of undulating displays. Is the Coronavirus Crisis Increasing America's Drug Overdoses? Until 1999, a pair of golden eagles were still known to nest in Maine but they are now believed to be absent as a breeding bird from the Eastern United States. [13][14] The long, straight and powerful hallux-claw (hind claw) can range from 4.5 to 6.34 cm (1.77 to 2.50 in), about one centimetre longer than in a bald eagle and a little more than one centimetre less than a harpy eagle.[15][16][17]. [3] The golden eagle chick may be heard from within the egg 15 hours before it begins hatching. Below are more detailed description of habitats occupied by golden eagles in both continents where they occur. They are fearless hunters and rarely back away from a fight.