GOLDEN EAGLE

CHARACTERISTICS

• Golden eagles are dark brown with a lighter golden-brown plumage on their heads and necks

RANGE

• Range from Mexico through much of western North America as far north as Alaska; they also appear in the east but are uncommon. Golden eagles are also found in Asia, northern Africa, and Europe.

DIET

• They eat rabbits, marmots, ground squirrels, carrion, reptiles, birds, and fish
• The golden eagle catches its prey by diving on it going about 150 miles per hour

LIFESPAN

• The Golden Eagle can live up to 30 years in the wild

REPRODUCTION

• Golden eagles usually mate for life
• The female usually gives birth to 1-4 eggs
• The parents take care of the baby's for 40-45 days

BEHAVIOUR

• A golden eagle will play by carrying its prey or sticks and stones into the air then dropping them and retrieving them

FUN FACTS

• The golden has been spotted killing killing seals, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, coyotes, badgers,bobcats, deer, and even livestock
• The golden eagle is the emblem of Albania, Germany, Austria, Mexico, and Kazakhstan

SOURCES

• http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Golden_Eagle/lifehistory
• http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/golden-eagle/