The Golden Eagle is one of the largest and most powerful raptors found in Arizona, inhabiting open country such as grasslands, deserts, and mountainous regions. Adults are dark brown with golden feathers on the back of the head and neck, long broad wings, and a wingspan that can exceed seven feet. They are year-round residents in much of the state, nesting on cliffs or in tall trees, often reusing the same large stick nests for many years. Their diet consists mainly of rabbits, hares, and other small to medium-sized mammals, though they also take birds and carrion. Golden Eagles are solitary or seen in pairs, and they are known for their soaring flight, often gliding for long periods while hunting. Though populations in Arizona remain relatively stable, they are vulnerable to habitat loss, human disturbance, and collisions with wind turbines and power lines.
