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Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

Bird · family Accipitridae · order Accipitriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Golden Eagle
Photo: Jarkko Järvinen, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
41 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
32 years[4]

The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a large bird of prey in the hawk and eagle family, Accipitridae[5]. NatureServe ranks it as Secure worldwide[2], and it is listed as native in 41 US states and territories, from Alaska to Florida[3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Golden Eagle a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. In the United States it is ranked Secure both as a breeding bird and outside the breeding season[6], and the IUCN category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1], but it is protected as a migratory bird under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8]. Its CITES Appendix II listing means international trade in the species is controlled[9].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
CITES (international trade)[9] Appendix II
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[10] 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Where Golden Eagle lives

NatureServe lists the Golden Eagle as native in 41 US states and territories, including Alaska, California, Texas, Montana, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Maine[3]. It is ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated, meaning it may no longer occur there in that role, in Kentucky, New Hampshire, New York and Virginia[11]. GBIF observation records come mostly from California, Colorado, Utah, Montana and Oregon, which reflects where people look and report rather than how many eagles live there[12].

Alaska: native, state rank S4B,S3NAKMaine: native, state rank S1B,S1NMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: native, state rank SNAVTNew Hampshire: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHBNHWashington: native, state rank S3WAIdaho: native, state rank S3IDMontana: native, state rank S3MTNorth Dakota: native, state rank S3NDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRN,SNRMMNIllinois: native, state rank SNAILMichigan: native, state rank SNRNMINew York: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHB,S1NNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S1NMAOregon: native, state rank S3ORNevada: native, state rank S4NVWyoming: native, state rank S5B,S4NWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S3SDIowa: native, state rank SNAIAIndiana: native, state rank S1NINOhio: native, state rank SNAOHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5N,S4MPANew Jersey: native, state rank S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank SNACTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: native, state rank S3CAUtah: native, state rank S3UTColorado: native, state rank S3B,S4NCONebraska: native, state rank S3NEMissouri: native, state rank SNRNMOKentucky: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXB,S2NKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S3NWVVirginia: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHB,S1NVAMaryland: native, state rank S1NMDDelaware: native, state rank S1NDEArizona: native, state rank S4AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S3B,S4NNMKansas: native, state rank S1B,S2NKSArkansas: native, state rank S3NARTennessee: native, state rank S1TNNorth Carolina: not recordedNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S1NSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank S2OKLouisiana: not recordedLAMississippi: native, state rank S1NMSAlabama: native, state rank SNRNALGeorgia: native, state rank S1GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S3BTXFlorida: native, state rank SNAFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[13].
Show state ranks (45 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
AlaskaS4B,S3NApparently Secure (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
ArizonaS4Apparently Secure
ArkansasS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
CaliforniaS3Vulnerable
ColoradoS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
ConnecticutSNANot Applicable
DelawareS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
FloridaSNANot Applicable
GeorgiaS1Critically Imperiled
IdahoS3Vulnerable
IllinoisSNANot Applicable
IndianaS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
IowaSNANot Applicable
KansasS1B,S2NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
KentuckySXB,S2NPresumed Extirpated (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MaineS1B,S1NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MarylandS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MassachusettsS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MichiganSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
MinnesotaSNRN,SNRMNot Ranked (nonbreeding), Not Ranked (migrant)
MississippiS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MissouriSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
MontanaS3Vulnerable
NebraskaS3Vulnerable
NevadaS4Apparently Secure
New HampshireSHBPossibly Extirpated (breeding)
New JerseyS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkSHB,S1NPossibly Extirpated (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
North DakotaS3Vulnerable
OhioSNANot Applicable
OklahomaS2Imperiled
OregonS3Vulnerable
PennsylvaniaS5N,S4MSecure (nonbreeding), Apparently Secure (migrant)
South CarolinaS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
South DakotaS3Vulnerable
TennesseeS1Critically Imperiled
TexasS3BVulnerable (breeding)
UtahS3Vulnerable
VermontSNANot Applicable
VirginiaSHB,S1NPossibly Extirpated (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
WashingtonS3Vulnerable
West VirginiaS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
WyomingS5B,S4NSecure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)

Habitat

Golden Eagles use open and partly open country, including grassland, savanna, desert, alpine areas, tundra, cliffs and several kinds of woodland[14]. They favor hilly or mountain areas where there are plenty of small mammals to hunt and good places to build a nest[15]. In Nevada they tend to stay away from forests, big farm fields and cities[15]. Most nests sit on rocky cliff ledges, though some are built in big trees, on steep slopes or even on the ground[15].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[14]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Golden Eagle is a meat eater[16], and its diet is estimated at 80% warm-blooded animals, 10% reptiles and amphibians and 10% carrion, which is the meat of animals already dead[17]. It mainly hunts small mammals like rabbits, marmots and ground squirrels, and it may hunt from the air or from a perch[18]. A typical bird is about 102 cm (40 in) long[19] and weighs about 10 lb[20]. A female lays 1 to 3 eggs, usually 2, and the female does most of the sitting on the eggs for about 43 to 45 days[21]. The longest recorded lifespan is 48 years in captivity[22], and the oldest known wild bird from banding records was at least 32 years 10 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[19] 102 cm (40 in)
Typical adult weight[20] 4.7 kg (10 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[22] 48 years (captivity)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 32 years 10 months
Litter or clutch size[23] 2
Gestation or incubation[24] 40 days
Female maturity[25] 1,460 days (about 4.0 years)
Food habits[16] Carnivore
Migration[26] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[17]

  • 80% warm-blooded vertebrates
  • 10% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% carrion

When to look for it

Golden Eagles are diurnal, which means active during the day[27], and they often hunt in the early morning and early evening[28]. Some populations stay put all year while others travel short or long distances[26]. Birds from the far north move south for winter and come back mainly in March and April, and most leave hot deserts in summer[29]. GBIF records peak in January, March and November, which shows when people report the birds, not how many there are[30].

January: 37,038 recordsJanFebruary: 32,863 recordsFebMarch: 37,484 recordsMarApril: 35,177 recordsAprMay: 30,607 recordsMayJune: 23,313 recordsJunJuly: 17,857 recordsJulAugust: 17,646 recordsAugSeptember: 20,766 recordsSepOctober: 32,124 recordsOctNovember: 36,020 recordsNovDecember: 29,148 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[30].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January37,038
February32,863
March37,484
April35,177
May30,607
June23,313
July17,857
August17,646
September20,766
October32,124
November36,020
December29,148

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Golden Eagle as present in 142 park units[31]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 118 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: California, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Oregon[12]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Golden Eagle endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1], and NatureServe ranks it as Secure[2]. It is still protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].
Where do Golden Eagles live in the US?
NatureServe lists them as native in 41 US states and territories, including Alaska, California and Texas[3]. They use open country such as grassland, desert, tundra and cliffs[14].
What do Golden Eagles eat?
They are meat eaters[16] that mostly hunt small mammals such as rabbits, marmots and ground squirrels, and they sometimes eat snakes, birds and carrion[18].
How big is a Golden Eagle?
A typical Golden Eagle is about 102 cm (40 in) long[19] and weighs about 10 lb[20].
How long do Golden Eagles live?
The longest recorded lifespan is 48 years in captivity[22]. The oldest known wild Golden Eagle from banding records was at least 32 years 10 months old[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Golden Eagle is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Golden Eagle: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Golden Eagle as native in 41 US states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Golden Eagle from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 32 years 10 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a bird in the family Accipitridae, order Accipitriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Golden Eagle is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix II (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe ranks Golden Eagle as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Kentucky, New Hampshire, New York, Virginia. NatureServe Explorer
  12. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Golden Eagle: California, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Oregon. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  13. NatureServe state ranks for Golden Eagle (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  14. Habitat types NatureServe records for Golden Eagle: Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Desert, Alpine, Tundra, Cliff. NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on habitat for Golden Eagle. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore. NatureServe Explorer
  17. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 80% warm-blooded vertebrates, 10% reptiles and amphibians, 10% carrion. EltonTraits 1.0
  18. NatureServe notes on food for Golden Eagle. NatureServe Explorer
  19. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 102 cm (40 in). NatureServe Explorer
  20. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 4.7 kg (10 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  21. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Golden Eagle. NatureServe Explorer
  22. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 48 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  23. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 2. AnAge
  24. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 40 days. AnAge
  25. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 1,460 days (about 4.0 years). AnAge
  26. NatureServe migration category for Golden Eagle: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  27. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  28. NatureServe notes on phenology for Golden Eagle. NatureServe Explorer
  29. NatureServe notes on migration for Golden Eagle. NatureServe Explorer
  30. GBIF observation records of Golden Eagle in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  31. NPSpecies park lists recording Golden Eagle as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Jarkko Järvinen, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.