What kind of bird is a golden eagle? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. The golden eagle is a very large bird that is also a predator. Due to its large body, it can expand its wings to an astonishing size. A summary of the characteristics and ecology of large birds.
What is a golden eagle? About basic status
The golden eagle is a bird classified in the order Accipitridae and the genus Accipitridae. The scientific name is Aquila chrysaetos, and the kanji is dog eagle. The body length is 75-95cm and the weight is 3-5kg. A list of basic information is below. Currently, eagles can be seen distributed all over the world and in Japan in the northern hemisphere. It is very large when it spreads its wings.
| Japanese（和名） | イヌワシ |
| English（英名） | Golden eagle |
| scientific name(学名) | Aquila chrysaetos |
| classification（分類） | Ave、Accipitriformes、 Accipitridae、Aquila 鳥綱、タカ目、タカ科、イヌワシ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 75 – 95cm |
| Weight（体重） | 3 – 5kg |
About classification
The following subspecies of golden eagles exist:
- Aquila chrysaetos chrysaetos
- Aquila chrysaetos daphanea
- Aquila chrysaetos himeyeri
- Aquila chrysaetos japonica
- Aquila chrysaetos kamtschatica
Systematic classification
| 階級 | 分類 |
|---|---|
| 界 | 動物界（Animalia） |
| 門 | 脊索動物門（Chordata） |
| 綱 | 鳥綱（Aves） |
| 目 | タカ目（Accipitriformes） |
| 科 | タカ科（Accipitridae） |
| 属 | ワシ属（Aquila） |
| 種 | Aquila chrysaetos |
About habitat
Golden eagles are distributed over a fairly wide area, including Eurasia, Africa, North America, Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, etc.), China, and Mexico.
- Global Habitat
Golden eagles have a very wide distribution, preferring mountainous and open areas throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Europe
Scotland, northern Spain, Norway, and the Alps
Found in open areas such as mountains, moors, and grasslands rather than forests.
Asia
Central Asia (Mongolia, Kazakhstan)
Siberia, the Himalayas, and the Tibetan Plateau
North America
Canada, Alaska, and the Rocky Mountains
Live in vast grasslands and mountainous areas.
Characteristics:
Prefers high-altitude mountainous areas and valleys.
Prefers open terrain with better visibility and easier hunting than forests.
Avoids snowy and extremely humid areas.
- Habitat in Japan
Distribution: Mainly Hokkaido
Environment: Mountainous areas, valleys, vast forests, and grasslands
Estimated population: Rare in Japan, with a breeding population of approximately 100-200 birds (Ministry of the Environment Red List: Endangered).
Characteristics:
Some individuals migrate to lowlands and plains in winter.
Breeds on high-altitude cliffs and in trees.
- Habitat Requirements
Open spaces suitable for hunting (grasslands, hills, valleys)
Trees and cliffs suitable for building large nests
Areas rich in mammals and birds to feed on
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The golden eagle is black or dark brown, and the feathers on the back of its head are shiny yellow. The feathers covering the base of the tail feathers are light brown. Young birds have a light brown vertical stripe running from the back of the head to the back of the neck. Their main habitat is forests and grasslands, where they are constantly searching for prey. When it spots prey from above, it purses its wings and swoops down to grab it, so the prey is eaten before it is noticed. They live in pairs in the mountains, so they are often observed.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Size:
Total Length: 75-90 cm
Wingspan: 1.8-2.3 m (Adult birds have very large wingspans, making for impressive flight)
Weight: 3-6.5 kg
Feather Color:
Overall color is dark brown
Golden feathers on the head and back of the neck shine in the sunlight → the origin of the name “Golden Eagle”
Tail feathers are dark brown with slightly lighter tips
Beak and Claws:
Sharp, curved beak for tearing prey apart
Powerful claws (talons) for capturing prey
Eyes:
Yellow eyes with excellent eyesight
Can spot small animals even from high in the air
- Behavior and Ecology
Hunting:
Mainly feeds on terrestrial mammals (rabbits, squirrels, guinea pigs, etc.) and birds.
Specializes in aerial hunting, swooping down from high altitudes to catch prey.
Typically, they act alone or in pairs.
Nesting:
Builds large nests (1-2 m high, 2-3 m wide) in trees or on cliffs.
Sometimes reuses the same nest for many years.
Reproduction:
Gives birth to 1-3 chicks per breeding.
Both parents take turns raising the chicks.
- Personality and Characteristics
Intelligence: Highly intelligent and strategic in hunting and nesting.
Vigilance: Highly alert and alert to humans and predators.
Flight: Highly gliding ability, allowing them to fly long distances using the wind.
Sociality: Primarily solitary, but often lives in pairs.
What is the ecology like?
The golden eagle’s diet consists of mammals such as hares, birds of prey, reptiles such as snakes, and animal carcasses. The reproductive form is oviparous. They lay eggs by building nests in trees. Because nesting sites are limited, they often use the same nest every year, and the incubation period is about two months. The lifespan is said to be 20 to 25 years.
- Behavior and Range
Diurnal: Hunts and travels during the day.
Solo or Pair Life: Low sociality, generally solitary, but cooperates with other eagles during breeding season.
Territorial: Has a large territory during breeding season and avoids intrusion by other golden eagles.
Flight Ability:
Excellent gliding ability.
Uses thermals to travel long distances and conserve energy.
Hunts by diving to catch prey.
- Diet (What it eats)
Main diet: Medium-sized mammals.
Rabbits, squirrels, guinea pigs, baby antelopes, etc.
Other: Birds (ducks, geese, crows, etc.)
Preying Method:
Dives from high altitudes to catch prey.
Finds small animals on the ground and pounces.
Captures with powerful claws, then tears them apart with their beaks and eats them.
- Breeding and Nesting
Nesting:
Builds large nests in trees or on cliffs.
May use the same nest for many years.
Breeding Season: Spring to early summer (varies by region)
Number of eggs: 1-3
Brooding:
Both parents cooperate to raise the chicks.
Chicks spend about 1-2 months with their parents in the nest before undergoing flight training and becoming independent.
- Movement and Distribution
Seasonal Migration:
Northern individuals sometimes migrate to lowlands and plains in winter.
In Hokkaido, Japan, some individuals descend to relatively lowlands in winter.
Habitat:
Mountainous regions, open grasslands, and valleys.
Prefers open areas with better visibility than forests and better hunting conditions.
About Golden Eagle Chicks
This article provides a detailed summary of the ecology and developmental process of golden eagle chicks.
- Eggs and Hatching
Egg-laying Season: Spring to Early Summer (April to May in Japan)
Egg Number: 1-3
Egg Characteristics:
White to Light Cream
May have Brown Spots
Hatching Time: Approximately 40-45 Days
- Chick Development
Immediately After Hatching:
Small body, thin down
Eyes are half-closed, and parents must keep them warm and protected
2-3 Weeks:
Down feathers turn to feathers, and body size increases rapidly
Not yet able to fly, but still fed by parents
1.5-2 Months:
Flight Training Begins
Practices gliding and short-distance flight under the supervision of parents
Independence:
Fledges approximately 2-3 months after hatching
Parents feed the chicks until fully capable of hunting
- Chick Characteristics
Plumage Color: Lighter brown than adults
Eyes: Grayish, not yellow
Body Size: As they grow, they gradually grow larger, and their wings and tail feathers develop.
Personality: Curious but not yet cautious, they are vulnerable outside the nest.
- Relationship with Parents
Protection: Parents protect their chicks from predators.
Feeding: Parents feed their chicks with prey they have hunted.
Training: Teaching hunting and flying skills.
Is the golden eagle an endangered species?
The golden eagle is not an endangered species. Instead, it is listed in the Washington Convention, so it is restricted in international trade. As eagles and black-tailed hawks decline, their populations become widely protected. Nature conservation research and activities are becoming more active.
- Global Conservation Status
IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
Classification: Least Concern (LC) → Low risk of extinction globally
Reason: Wide distribution, large and stable population worldwide
However, populations may be declining in some areas
- Conservation Status in Japan
Ministry of the Environment Red List (Japan)
Classification: Endangered (EN)
Reason:
Distribution limited to Hokkaido
Habitat loss due to deforestation and human activity
Threats such as reduced prey and traffic accidents
Protection Measures:
Protection of breeding sites
Population surveys and habitat management
Restrictions on human interference (such as restricting development and forestry near nests)
- Population in Japan
Breeding population in Hokkaido: Approximately 100-200 birds
Distribution within Japan is extremely limited and highly rare
Can you keep a golden eagle as a pet?
Can you keep a golden eagle as a pet? It is not impossible to keep one, but there are many cases where permission is required. This is because they sometimes attack people and livestock, and they prey on them. It’s not easy at all, so I don’t recommend it to the general public. We recommend viewing it through information about events such as zoos.
- Legal Restrictions
In Japan, birds of prey require special permission.
Golden eagles are protected under the Wild Bird and Animal Protection Act.
Capturing or keeping them without permission is illegal.
Keeping them is permitted only with permission from the prefectural governor for special purposes (research, education, breeding facilities, etc.).
- Ecological Reasons
Large and have a strong hunting instinct.
Weight: 3-6 kg, wingspan: approximately 2 m.
Captures prey with sharp talons and beaks.
Dangerous and uncontrollable in a home environment.
Requires a large territory.
In the wild, they fly over tens of square kilometers.
Health and stress management are difficult in cages or indoors.
- Diet and Environmental Issues
Diet: Mainly wild animals (rabbits, birds, etc.).
Pet food tends to be nutritionally deficient.
Environment: Requires a high nest and ample gliding space.
Indoor breeding or a small garden is not possible.
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