Since ancient times, humans have mixed admiration and fear for the golden eagle. They marvel at its beauty, strength, and vitality, while also viewing it as a fierce rival in hunting and a threat to domestic animals. For more than two thousand years the bird has been a symbol of majesty, power, and victory. In heraldry, military banners and imperial emblems often featured the golden eagle, celebrated as a national emblem and royal icon. The Iberian peninsula hosts a substantial population of this eagle, historically called the queen of the skies. Estimates suggest between 1,500 and 1,800 breeding pairs remain. While the population overall is stable, ornithologists warn that the number of species on the peninsula could decline by about 10% over the next three decades.
The golden eagle is currently absent from Spain’s Canary Islands and Balearic Islands, where historical records show it never established a lasting presence and where it disappeared centuries ago. Once widespread across the peninsula for a millennium, today it primarily occupies rugged, mountainous terrain where habitat loss driven by human activity continues to shrink suitable nesting sites.
Females are significantly larger than males, with some individuals measuring up to one meter in length and a wingspan of about 2.3 meters. Their diet is diverse, including mammals such as rabbits and hares, birds like pigeons and partridges, and reptiles such as lizards and snakes. Carrion also features in their meals.
The golden eagle is a premier raptor that favors uneven terrain and rocky outcrops for nesting. It tends to avoid dense forests but can adapt to a wide range of habitats as long as there is rough terrain and quiet breeding areas.
The longest-lived specimen lived to age 46
Golden eagles mate for life, forming enduring pairs. The longest-lived individual on record survived to 46 years in European captivity. In the wild, the oldest confirmed bird in North America reached 23 years and 10 months.
Estimates for Europe place the breeding population at roughly 6,600 to 12,000 pairs. In Spain alone, a 2008 assessment reported 1,553 to 1,769 breeding pairs, highlighting the peninsula as home to one of the continent’s largest populations.
Historically, the species faced severe persecution during times when raptors across Europe were targeted. From 1960 to 1990, Spain experienced a peak in raptor mortality due to poisoning and other human activities, reducing numbers by about 30% during that period. Recovery has occurred since then, and the population remains relatively stable today.
Golden eagles are among the most powerful flyers among raptors. Typical cruising speeds range from 45 to 52 kilometers per hour, yet they can accelerate to speeds near 190 kilometers per hour during pursuit of prey or display. When diving to strike prey, the speed can reach around 320 kilometers per hour, making the golden eagle one of the fastest flying animals.
The five eagle species of Spain highlight the region’s rich raptor diversity. The golden eagle is particularly notable for its speed and agility during hunting dives.
Nests are built at altitudes up to 2,200 meters. Each pair typically maintains several nests within its territory and periodically reuses them. According to data from SEO/BirdLife, the breeding cycle begins with a matrimonial period in late January. Clutch size ranges from one to four eggs, which are dull white with reddish-brown mottling. Incubation is performed by the female and lasts about 41 to 45 days. In about 90% of cases, nesting takes place on rocky ledges 200 to 2,200 meters above sea level. The remaining 10% of nests, or up to 40% in areas with fewer cliffs but abundant food, are placed in tall trees such as pines and oaks.
Nest heights can reach up to 2 meters with diameters up to 1.5 meters. The nest is a sturdy structure of branches, lined with grass and even wool. The largest nests are often found in trees. While the female bears most of the incubation and nesting work, both parents participate in nest construction and maintenance for about four to eight weeks.
The chicks receive care from both parents and remain under close supervision from the female, aided by the male, until they are about 14 days old. The adults continue to fatten and feed the young until they can feed themselves around 30 days of age. Juvenile plumage develops fully by roughly 67 to 80 days, and after fledging the young stay with the parents for about three months before dispersing to establish their own territories. Reaching sexual maturity typically occurs around six years of age.
An “almost endangered” species
Each pair controls a territory that commonly spans 20 to 200 square kilometers and they can be quite territorial toward potential intruders. Habitat loss from infrastructure development, urbanization, and other human activities remains a major threat. Additionally, some birds are shot, poisoned, or fail to breed due to nest disturbance and destruction. Electrical lines pose a real danger, causing losses of breeding adults and dispersing juveniles. Human activities such as climbing, hiking, sport fishing, and forestry can reduce reproductive success in some cases.
Recent reporting indicates that only about 6% of golden eagle deaths in Spain could be attributed to unknown causes unrelated to direct human actions. The species is listed in conservation catalogs within Spain as Near Threatened, and it appears in broader wildlife conservation registers.
Notes and references are provided for further context and verification within conservation literature and reputable wildlife databases.