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Golden Eagle Wingspan: How Big It Is & How It Compares to Other Birds

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golden eagle flying

The Golden Eagle is a formidable predator that can hunt a variety of different animals to sustain itself. They have amazing eyesight that helps them spot prey and other objects from high in the sky. They also possess long claws (up to 2.5 inches in length!) that are used to pierce their prey.

Named after their golden-colored feathers, these birds can weigh up to 11 pounds when fully grown. In times past, the Golden Eagle was used to hunt and capture prey for humans. In the wild, Golden Eagles pair up and maintain a large home territory together for a lifetime.

Species name Aquila chrysaetos
Population Approximately 300,000
Range Unrestricted

These eagles are found living in many parts of the northern hemisphere, including parts of Asia, areas of Africa, natural habitats in Europe, Western states in North America, and northern lands in Canada. Golden Eagles typically mate for life. When they reproduce, mothers stay in the nest with babies while fathers head out to hunt for food.

Golden Eagle Wingspan

a golden eagle
Image Credit: Pixabay

The wingspan of a Golden Eagle can range from 71 to 87 inches, give or take. Both male and female wingspans tend to fall within this range. Some females have larger wingspans than their male counterparts and vice versa.

  Wingspan Range Average Wingspan
Male Golden Eagles 71–87 inches

180–220 cm

80 inches

203 cm

Female Golden Eagles 71–87 inches

180–220 cm

80 inches

203 cm

How Is Wingspan Measured?

The wingspan of a Golden Eagle is measured from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other while the wings are extended all the way. This is the only way to get an accurate measurement that can be compared to the measurements of other eagles and birds in existence.

Golden and Bald Eagle
Golden eagle (left) and bald eagle (right) | Image Credit: Richard Lee, Unsplash

Golden Eagle Wingspan Compared to Other Birds of Prey

The Golden Eagle’s wingspan is average compared to other types of eagles living in the wild. The bird’s wings may be a little smaller or larger, but their wingspans are not notably different in size. That said, the Wandering Albatross has an amazing wingspan of more than 3 meters!

Bird Type Wingspan Range Average Wingspan
Eastern Imperial Eagle 72–85.5 inches

180–215 cm

80 inches

203 cm

Gurney’s Eagle 70–75 inches

170–190 cm

72 inches

182 cm

Bonelli’s Eagle 56–69 inches

143–176 cm

63 inches

160 cm

Tawny Eagle 62–75 inches

157–190 cm

70 inches

178 cm

Are All Bird Wings the Same?

Every species of bird has unique wings that are designed by nature to help them travel and hunt optimally. All bird wings consist of a wingtip, a wrist, a patagium, and a wing pit. All bird wings also have what is referred to as a primary, secondary, and covert featherset.

Some birds’ wings are straight and thin, while others are oblong and crooked. Some birds have short, stout wings because they do not fly long distances. The length and shape of a bird’s wings determine how fast, how far, and how high a bird can fly. The wings are also responsible for helping birds catch prey when necessary.

The Golden Eagle’s wings are large, long, and broad. They have distinctive “fingers” at the ends of their wings. White markings can be seen underneath the wings while the birds are in flight. It is visibly noticeable how the wings are attached to the body, as if connected with metal bolts.

Beautiful Golden Eagle
Image Credit: teddy58, Pxhere

 

eagle divider

In Conclusion

The Golden Eagle is a fine specimen that is a joy to spot in the wild. They can be seen flying in the air in many places throughout the world, specifically in the Northern hemisphere. Their wings are spectacular and strong, and their wingspan is impressive.

These birds are elegant while in flight and fierce when looking for food. In fact, they can take down rabbits, rats, chickens, and even small dogs when they are hungry enough. Now that you know more about the Golden Eagle’s wings and wingspan, you should be able to better spot this interesting bird when it’s flying above you.


Featured Image Credit: Piqsels

About the Author Robert Sparks

Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.