Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
Golden Eagles have been one the most trying but also rewarding subjects to photograph. I've only tried so far in Norway during the winter. These birds are very wild and are very skittish. Any sound, light or movement and they are gone. The location is in the South of Norway, not too far from Kristiansand - a clearing in some woods. In order for the eagles to be comfortable enough to come down into the clearing, you need to be in the hide before dawn, and not leave until well after dusk. Even in the winter, that's a long shift. It gets worse though, as you have be still and silent the whole time and yet somehow keep your concentration. The reward is natural behaviour.
Description
The Golden Eagle is a large, strong bird of prey with dark brown feathers and distinctive golden-coloured feathers on the head and back of the neck. Adults are between 75 and 90 centimetres long, with wingspans reaching up to 2.2 metres. When flying, they hold their long wings in a shallow V shape, with spread-out primary feathers at the tips and a broad, slightly rounded tail. Young birds have white patches near the base of their wings and a white tail with a dark band at the end. In the UK, Golden Eagles are mostly found in the Scottish Highlands and nearby islands. There are small numbers in southern Scotland, and there have been efforts to reintroduce them in southern England. They prefer open upland areas like moorland, mountainous regions, and remote valleys. They need large open spaces to hunt and cliffs or old trees to build their nests. Golden Eagles hunt animals such as mountain hares and rabbits, as well as birds like grouse. They also feed on dead animals when available.
Vital statistics
Body length
66 - 102 cm
Weight
3 - 6.3 kg
Wingspan
180 - 234 cm
- Vertebrates85%
- Carrion15%