Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos

[OldGreenVulture]

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Aquila
Species: A. chrysaetos
The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed species of eagle. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many areas which are now more heavily populated by humans. Despite being extirpated from or uncommon in some its former range, the species is still fairly ubiquitous, being present in sizeable stretches of Eurasia, North America, and parts of North Africa. It is largest and least populous of the mere five species of true accipitrid to occur as a breeding species in both the Palearctic and the Nearctic, alongside the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), the Hen Harrier (‘’Circus cyaneus’’), the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and the Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus).[2] It is one of the most extensively studied species of raptor in the world in some parts of its range, such as the Western United States and the Western Palearctic (especially Scotland, Scandinavia and Spain). However in many other parts of its range, especially in Asia (outside of Japan) and Russia, the life histories of Golden Eagles are mostly unknown. In the Middle East, the Caucasus, North Africa and even the Eastern United States and Eastern Canada, they are relatively poorly-known, though the number of studies in these areas have recently increased.[3]

These birds are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their napes. Immature eagles of this species typically have white on the tail and often have white markings on the wings. Golden Eagles use their agility and speed combined with extremely powerful talons to snatch up a variety of prey. The most prevalent prey are hares, rabbits, marmots and other ground squirrels. Exceptionally large, such as foxes and young ungulates, and small mammals, such as shrews and mice, can turn up in the diet as well.[3] Birds, including large species up to the size of swans and cranes, have also been recorded as prey. Certainly, the preferred bird prey would be the galliforms. They will occasionally eat carrion, as well as reptiles, amphibians and even insects. For centuries, this species has been one of the most highly regarded birds used in falconry, with the Eurasian subspecies having been used to hunt and kill unnatural, dangerous prey such as Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) in some native communities. Due to their hunting prowess, the Golden Eagle is regarded with great mystic reverence in some ancient, tribal cultures. Unfortunately, the same boldness and powerful that lead to them being held with reverence in early cultures has lead to wholesale persecution in the last few centuries, due to the perceived (and often greatly exaggerated) threat Golden Eagles pose to domestic and game stock.[3]

Golden Eagles maintain home ranges or territories that may be as large as 200 km2 (77 sq mi). They are monogamous and may remain together for several years or possibly for life. Most breeding activities take place in the spring, though can be more aseasonal in the warmer parts of the range, occasionally with mating and egg-laying taking place as early as November or December. Golden Eagles nest in high places mainly cliffs but also trees, or, rarely, human structures such as telephone poles. They build large nests to which they may return for several breeding years. Females lay from one to four eggs, typically two, and then primarily incubate them for 40 to 45 days, with occasional shifts by the males who otherwise attain food for the female and the young. Typically, one or two young survive to fledge in about three months. Full independence is usually attained for juvenile Golden Eagles in the fall, after which they wander widely until establishing a territory for themselves in four to five years

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