Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

Beak

—

Feet

—

Crest

No crest

Resident. Baluchistan and Himalayas. Large, with long and broad wings (with pronounced curve to trailing edge), long tail, and distinctly protruding head and neck. Wings clearly pressed forward and ra ised (with upturned fingers) in pronounced Vwhen soaring. Adult has pale panel across upperwing-coverts, gold crown and nape, and two-toned tail. Juvenile has white base to tail and white patch a tbase of flight feathers. Soars for hours over mountain ridges. Usually hunts by quartering a slope, flying low and then striking with talons in a swift dash; occasionally pounces from a perch. Feeds mainly on gamebirds and mammals. High rugged mountains, usually well above the tree line.