2.  Is one of the best known birds of prey in the
Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to
the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across
the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the
more heavily populated areas. Despite being
extirpated from or uncommon in some its former
range, the species is still fairly ubiquitous, being
present in Eurasia, North America, and parts of
Africa. The nesting density for a breeding
population near Livermore, California and the
Altamont Pass Wind Farm is among the highest in
the world for Golden Eagles.

3.  Golden Eagles are fairly adaptable in habitat but often reside in areas with a few
shared ecological characteristics. They are best suited to hunting in open or semi-
open areas and search them out year-around. The largest numbers of Golden
Eagles are found in mountainous regions today, with many eagles doing a majority
of their hunting and nesting on rock formations. However, they are not solely tied
to high elevations and can breed in lowlands if the local habitats are suitable. They
can additionally be found in tundra, shrublands, coniferous forests with openings
and steppe, prairies and other regional grassland habitats. Though not generally a
wetland bird, they may pass through or hunt in marshes, normally while
migrating or wintering.
 Some populations of Golden Eagles are migratory and others are sedentary. Eagles
who nest in colder climes such as Alaska, Scandinavia or Russia tend to migrate to
points further south due to declining available food sources in the north. Those
found further south in the species' breeding range are usually non-migratory and
may remain without striking distance of their breeding territories all year. While
they usually fly at average speeds of 45–52 kilometers per hour (28–32 mph), they
can glide quickly at up to 130 kilometers per hour (81 mph) and can reach 240
kilometers per hour (150 mph) when diving after prey. The characteristic flight of
the species consists of a mix of flapping and soaring.

4.  He Golden Eagle is one of the most powerful predators in the avian
world. They usually hunt by flying slowly while scanning the
environment in a low quartering flight, often around mountainous slopes.
When prey is spotted, the eagle makes a short dash hoping to surprise its
prey or engages in a longer rapid chase. They also hunt by flying in a fast
glide or soar followed by a sudden stoop. Rarely, they may also still-hunt,
watching for prey from an elevated perch and then pouncing down when
it is spotted. Given that their favorite prey are often mammals or birds
that hesitate to fly, unsurprisingly most of their prey is killed on the
ground and some prey may even pursued on foot for a short distance by
the eagle. When hunting birds, they may engage in an agile tail-chase
(much in the style of the Accipiter hawks) and can occasionally snatch
birds in mid-flight. The powerful talons of the Golden Eagle ensure that
few prey can escape them once contact is made. The talons of this species
exert an estimated 440 pounds per square inch (3 MPa) of pressure,
though the largest individuals may reach a pressure of 750 psi (5.2 MPa),
around 15 times more pressure than is exerted by the human hand.

5.  Golden Eagles usually mate for life. They build several eyries within their
territory and use them alternately for several years. In the western United
States, eagles' nesting territories may range from 22 to 33 square miles,
whereas those nesting further north may maintain territories of up to 39
square miles. Territories are maintained by flight displays. These nests
consist of heavy tree branches, upholstered with grass when in use. Old
eyries may be 2 metres (6.6 ft) in diameter and 1 metre (3.3 ft) in height, as
the eagles repair their nests whenever necessary and enlarge them during
each use. If the eyrie is situated on a tree, supporting tree branches may
break because of the weight of the nest. Certain other animals—birds and
mammals too small to be of interest to the huge raptor—often use the nest
as shelter. Their predators are just the right size for Golden Eagle prey,
and therefore avoid active eyries.
 Mating and egg-laying time is variable depending on the locality and can
be January and September, though is usually in March or later. The
female lays one to four (usually two) eggs. The eggs vary from all white
to white with cinnamon or brown spots and blotches. Laying of the eggs
occurs at 3 or 4 day intervals. The female starts incubation when the first
egg is laid and continues to do so for 40 to 45 days, though the male may
occasionally incubate as well.

6.  At one time, the Golden Eagle lived in
almost all of temperate Europe, North
Asia, North America, North Africa, and
Japan. In most areas this bird is now a
mountain-dweller, but in former centuries
it also bred in the plains and the forests. In
recent years it has started to breed in
lowland areas again, e.g., in Sweden and
Denmark.
 There was a great decline in Central
Europe where they are now essentially
restricted to the Apennine, Alps, and
Carpathian Mountains. In Britain, the last
comprehensive survey of Golden Eagles
took place in 2003, and found 442
occupied territories. A less thorough
survey in 2007 showed that in addition to
large numbers of territories in the Scottish
Highlands and the Inner and Outer
Hebrides, there were a handful of birds in
southern Scotland and northern England.
Between 1969 and 2003 they nested in the
Lake District, Cumbria.

7.  The eagle is a sacred bird in some cultures and the feathers
of the eagle are central to many religious and spiritual
customs, especially among some Native Americans in the
United States and First Nations in Canada, as well as among
many of the peoples of Meso-America. Some Native
American peoples revere eagles as sacred and the feathers
and other parts of Bald and Golden Eagles. Feathers are
often worn on Native American headdresses and have been
compared to the Bible and crucifix of Christianity. Eagle
feathers are often used in various Native ceremonies and are
used to honour noteworthy achievements and qualities such
as exceptional leadership and bravery. The Golden Eagle is
thought to be the origin of the Thunderbird legends of the
southwestern United States.