2/10/2024 0 Comments Largest predatory birdThe eggs are dull white and spotted or blotched with brown or reddish brown. The female begins incubating after the first egg is laid, and is responsible for most of the incubation, though the male often takes part. The female lays 1 to 4 (usually 2) eggs, with 3 to 4 day intervals between each egg. The largest nest on record measured 6.1 m tall and 2.59 m wide. Nests are constructed of sticks and local vegetation and lined with soft vegetation, including shredded yucca, grasses, dry yucca leaves, inner bark, dead and green leaves, mosses and lichens. Both the male and female of a pair refurbish or build the nest, which may take 4 to 6 weeks. Nests are built 0 to 107 m off the ground. ![]() Golden eagles usually build their nests on cliffs, but may also use trees, riverbanks and man-made structures, such as windmills, observation towers, nest platforms, and electrical towers. Pairs may have several nests in their breeding territory and often re-use nests year after year, refurbishing them before each breeding season. For migratory golden eagles, pair formation and courtship begin when the eagles return to the breeding grounds, between February and mid-April. These pairs may begin nest-building and courtship as early as December. Golden eagle pairs in much of the range are sedentary, remaining in the same territory year round. Golden eagles breed from March through August, depending on their geographic location. Courtship activities in this species include undulating flight by one or both members of the pair, chases, dives, mock attacks, presenting talons, soaring together and circling. There is no information available regarding whether pair bonds are maintained year-round in migratory populations. In non-migrant populations, pairs appear to stay together year round. Golden eagles are monogamous, and may maintain pair bonds for several years. Average basal metabolic rate 4.9929 W AnAge. ![]() Only one subspecies, Aquila chrysaetos canadensis is found in North America. These subspecies are differentiated by geographic distribution, size and coloration. There are 5 or 6 recognized subspecies of the golden eagle. Juveniles attain adult plumage between ages 4 and 6 years. This plumage is sometimes referred to as its "ringtail" plumage as a result of these bands. Juvenile golden eagles appear similar to adults, except for light patches on the tips of the wings, and a wide white band on the tail and a terminal band of black. The legs are feathered all the way down to the toes. The bills and claws are black, while the cere and feet are yellow. From below, the large flight feathers of the wings appear to be brownish gray, while the head, body and smaller feathers on the forepart of the open wings are blackish. Adults are largely dark brown, except for a golden area near the crown, nape and sides of the neck and face. Female weight ranges from 3940 to 6125 g whereas male weight ranges from 3000 to 4475 g. Males and females are similar in appearance, but females are much larger than males. Their length ranges from 70 to 84 cm, and their wingspan ranges from 185 to 220 cm. They are dark brown raptors with long, broad wings. Golden eagles are North America's largest predatory bird. Most golden eagles are found in mountainous areas, but they also nest in wetland, riparian and estuarine habitats. Habitat types that they inhabit include tundra, shrublands, grasslands, woodland-brushlands, and coniferous forests. Golden eagles are found in open and semi-open habitats from sea level to 3600 m elevation. ![]() In North America, golden eagles are found in the western half of the continent, from Alaska to central Mexico, with small numbers in eastern Canada and scattered pairs in the eastern United States. They occur throughout Eurasia, in northern Africa, and in North America. ![]() Golden eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos) have a Holarctic distribution.
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