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 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos L 75--86, W 190 230. Rare breeder in mountain districts, locally also on sea cliffs and in pine forests. Nests on cliff ledges or in crown of trees. Adults predominantly resident, but immatures and some older birds, especially in north and northeast, move south in winter when sometimes found in cultivated country with scattered woodland. Often hunts low along mountainsides or wood edges. Lives mainly on rabbits, hares, grouse and other birds, and carrion. Foxes draw attention to eagle's presence in vicinity by walking with their tails in the air. Easily distinguished from White-tailed Eagle by longer and evenly rounded (not wedge-shaped) tail, narrower wings and shorter, broader neck. Flight powerful, usually 6-7 wingbeats followed by long glide of 1-2 seconds in typically regular succession. In soaring flight, and more often than not when gliding, the wings are held raised (like a very shallow V). White wing patches and white tail with black outer band make immature easy to identify. Amount of white in wing varies individually, is not an age characteristic. The white becomes dark-barred grey when adult plumage is acquired within 5-7 years. At all ages golden-brown nape shawl. Birds more than one year old have pale brown panel on upperwing-coverts. The two spotted eagles are clearly smaller, hold their wings bowed downwards and have noticeably shorter tails. Imperial and Steppe Eagles have proportionately shorter tails and are smaller. R
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