Inexperienced juvenile eagles often chase their prey in a direct line, flying with the wind which disrupts their control and results in many misses. Like most diurnal raptors, golden eagles are silent except during courtship, territory defense and communication with young. Vocalizations include loud screams and soft clucks. Golden eagles living in the northern part of their range may move south for the winter and return to their home range in the spring. Home ranges are not always defended, especially during the winter.
Golden eagles are solitary unless part of a mated pair.
It is not unusual for juvenile golden eagles to roost with bald eagles although golden eagles do not gather in large groups like bald eagles. Favorite roosts include rock outcroppings, oil derricks and utility poles. Seventy-five percent of all fledged golden eagles die in the first year. Impact injuries are common especially among juveniles. Gunshot and electrocution are major types of human associated mortality.