Information is taken from the game and may change or differ over time. Last updated .
Unlocked at Accreditation Tier 4
Statistics
The golden eagle (or Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the most widespread birds of prey, ranging across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. It favours open or semi-open habitats such as mountains, grasslands, tundra, and deserts, often nesting on cliffs or tall trees that provide wide views of its hunting grounds.
Golden eagles have dark brown plumage accented by golden feathers on the nape and crown, powerful talons, and a sharp, hooked beak.
They have a wingspan between 1.8m and 2.3m and a body length of 70cm to 100cm. Like in most raptors, females are slightly larger and heavier than males. Adult males generally weigh between 3kg and 5kg, while females weigh 4kg to 6.5kg.
- Golden eagles can reach speeds up to 193km/h when diving, or ‘stooping’, after prey.
- Golden eagle nests are large structures: average nests are about 1.7m to 2m wide and 60cm high, but some record nests have been 6m tall and 2.6m wide.
- Golden eagles use and reuse and add to the same nests or territories over many years.
- Young golden eagles usually have white patches which they lose with moults as they approach adult plumage.
- A golden eagle’s vision is 4 to 8 times stronger than a human’s, allowing it to spot prey from over 3 kilometres away.
Habitat
Minimum habitat requirements
Planned population
Space
Barrier
Terrain
Environment
Preferred group ranges
Social
Golden eagles are generally solitary or live in pairs, and most of their interactions are limited to mating and raising young. Adults strongly defend large territories against other golden eagles, especially during the breeding season.
Food-based enrichment
Bamboo Feeder
Block of Frozen Fish
Perch Feeder
Ribbed FeederToy enrichment
Mirror Mobile
Perch 01
Perch 02
Rubber Snake
Shredding PerchRelease
Release requirements
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Breeding Partners
Conservation
While considered to be of Least Concern, the golden eagle is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation due to land conversion for agricultural, forestry, urban and infrastructure use. This limits their ability to hunt, find mates, and nest. In some areas, they are also directly persecuted by shooting, trapping and poisoning. Secondary lead poisoning from eating carcasses containing ammunition is also a threat. They are also at risk from collision and electrocution by power lines or wind turbines. Climate change additionally alters prey and habitat availability.
Many efforts go into recovery help and better habitat protection. In the UK, juvenile and sub-adult golden eagles have been translocated to improve the population in Southern Scotland, with considerable success. Legal protection is also strong in many countries, making it illegal to harm or disturb the birds and their nests. Moreover, habitat restoration and land management practices are improved in many places to reduce humanâ€caused mortality and enhance habitat connectivity.
Research
| Level | Unlocks | Bonus | Research gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thriving Requirement 1: at least 10 objects or plants with the Climbable tag | ||
| 2 | Thriving Requirement 2: at least 10 objects or plants with the Rocks tag; Golden Eagle Fact Sheet | ||
| 3 | Release groups and release to the wild | ||
| 4 | Thriving Requirement 3: Food Grade 2; Fertility Level 1 | Fertility (+15%) | Before this level: an Observation Network (Observation Platform) in Sweden Reserve and this species released in Sweden Reserve |
| 5 | Thriving Requirement 4: at least 50% native plants | ||
| 6 | Thriving Requirement 5: Cup Nest - Large, at least 3; Fertility Level 2 | Fertility (+30%) |
Conservation topics
Life
Reproduction
Lifecycle
Body
1.97 m
2.14 mBreeding
Golden eagles form long-term, often lifelong, monogamous pair bonds. Courtship usually takes place in late winter to early spring and includes synchronised soaring, circling, and aerial dives. Both new and existing pairs perform these displays to create or reaffirm their bond. Together, a pair builds or refurbishes their nest, or eyrie, on a cliff, tall tree or other tall vantage points.
After mating, the female typically lays 1 to 4 eggs, though two is most common, and she incubates them for about 40 to 45 days while the male provides food. Hatchlings are covered in white down and grow quickly, though competition between siblings can be intense, often leading to the survival of only 1 or 2 chicks. The young fledge at around 10 to 12 weeks of age, but may remain dependent on the parents for food and protection for several more months, before finally dispersing.
Golden eagles reach maturity at about 4 to 5 years old, at which point they establish their own territories and search for a mate of their own.