Click here to submit it to Winging It T he nicknames for this eagle in North America reflect this regal bearing. American war bird, bird of Jupiter,king of birds, mountain eagle, royal eagle, war bird - all reflect the powerful stature of the golden eagle. With a wingspan of up to 8 feet, and up to 36 inches in body length, the golden eagle is rarely seen in our region. Migration is the best time to catch a glimpse of this storied bird. Occasionally an over-wintering eagle is found, usually in southwest Virginia among the mountains.
Craggy rocks overlooking a field with sparse cover and a few perches provides ideal habitat.
Mistaking this bird for anything else is difficult, but when it happens it is usually a result of distance. Only the vultures or an immature bald eagle bare any resemblance to this massive bird. The plumage is a chocolate brown, tinted golden at the crown. The wings are broad. The flat flight of this and the bald eagle are good field marks for distinguishing eagles from vultures.