Animal Facts
Golden Eagles, one of the largest birds of prey in North America, prefer cliffs or steep hills overlooking swaths of open land. They hunt by soaring over open spaces to spy prey before swooping down to snatch rabbits, ground squirrels or other small mammals. Unlike Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles don’t have bar feet – they have feathers all the way down to their toes. Their wingspan can exceed 7 feet, but they’re extremely fast and nimble for a bird so large.
Conservation Challenges
Because eagles feed on carrion, they often pick up leftovers from hunters. If hunters use ammunition that contains lead, it’s easy for the eagles to consume the poison. Encouraging hunters to utilize lead-free ammunition can help protect these and other species from lead poisoning.
