Golden eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
To see this species, click here
What to look out for:
Usually seen soaring at altitude while circling and gliding on thermals, this is a true bird of wild places. Smaller than sea eagles and larger than buzzards, the average length of
a golden eagle is 80 -93 cm with a wing span of 190 -225cm. In the field it has distinctive long wings, with long primary wingtip “fingers”.Young golden eagles seeking territories are more common to see in the autumn.
When to see it:
It is a protected bird and pairs mate for life, usually returning to their preferred nest site on a crag or large pine tree every year in early spring. Males make spectacular flying displays at the start of the breeding season. Both parents feed the young, which are adult sized when they fly. In the autumn it is common to see their spectacular flying skills in strong winds. In autumn and winter, dispersing juveniles can be seen at lower altitudes where they drive off sea eagles and ravens from shared carrion sites.
Where to see it:
Adult birds are sedentary to their territories. Resident in Scotland all year round, these very large birds of prey have territories in mountainous areas and above high moorland. Best places to see them are usually the more remote places, although their range is increase.
Things to think about:
This species has been protected for the last thirty years in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and their Scottish population still remains at approximately 440 pairs. There are areas of suitable habitat with unused territories, which would indicate the population is being suppressed. The illegal use of poisoned carcasses to target foxes and crows, which is indiscriminate, certainly causes the deaths of immature eagles.