Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos (Linnaeus, 1758)
EA
GOLEA
2960
Family: Accipitriformes > Accipitridae
These majestic birds are restricted to the Scottish highlands and islands, with just a few pairs breeding in southern Scotland and the north of Ireland.
The Golden Eagle population remains broadly stable, despite ongoing persecution, numbering in the range of 400 to 500 breeding pairs, with a much small but growing population in Ireland – the result of a successful reintroduction programme.
Our Golden Eagle population appears to be self-contained, with no evidence of interchange with those elsewhere. The European distribution is split into two bands, running east west and associated with the upland regions at the north and south of the Continent.
Identification
Golden Eagle identification is often straightforward. The following article may help when identifying Golden Eagle.
Identifying Eagles
Eagles are simply magnificent, and the assumption is that they will be easy to identify. But distant views of birds can lead to confusion with Buzzard, and now we have to consider two species of eagle - Golden and White-tailed. Here we look at how you can confidently separate all three species of large raptor.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Golden Eagle, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Begging call
Alarm call
Call
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
POPULATION CHANGE
This species is monitored by intermittent single species surveys. The most recent of these in 2015 produced an estimate of 508 breeding pairs and suggested that numbers had increased slightly over a 33 year period (+16%) (Hayhow et al. 2017).
DISTRIBUTION
Golden Eagles are found throughout the Scottish Highlands and on most Hebridean islands.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
No. occupied in breeding season | 406 |
% occupied in breeding season | 13 |
No. occupied in winter | 417 |
% occupied in winter | 14 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
% change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | +3.9% |
% change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +11.4% |
SEASONALITY
Golden Eagles are present year-round in northern strongholds.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Golden Eagle, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
Maximum Age from Ringing | 16 years 1 months 9 days (set in 2007) |
Typical Lifespan | 23 years with breeding typically at 4 year |
Adult Survival | 0.95 |
Juvenile Survival | 0.15 (to age 4) |
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
Ring size | Special |
Field Codes | 2-letter: EA | 5-letter code: GOLEA | Euring: 2960 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Research
Interpretation and scientific publications about Golden Eagle from BTO scientists.
CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
Causes of change
The increases in Golden Eagle numbers have been attributed to reduced persecution following improved legal protection and increased monitoring, but persecution may still be limiting on the population in the central and eastern Highlands (Hayhow et al. 2017). The key recent constraint on populations has been persecution associated with grouse moor management (Whitfield et al. 2004, 2006). A limited number of territories may have been abandoned due to the planting of conifer forests but there is no strong evidence to suggest that recreational disturbance or changes in carrion abundance drive population changes (Whitfield et al. 2007).
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Directed relocation of a golden eagle nest site
- Comparison of the lethality of lead and copper bullets in deer control operations to reduce incidental lead poisoning; field trials in England and Scotland
- Calcium supplementation of breeding birds: directions for future research
Read more studies about Golden Eagle on Conservation Evidence >
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