Habitat Large birds that hunt from the air, golden eagles prefer wide-open spaces, especially hilly or mountainous regions. In the United States, golden eagles are primarily found in the northern and western states, often in dry areas. They are seen throughout the year in Washington state, but are more common in eastern Washington. Physical Characteristics Golden eagles are one of the largest raptors. As with most raptors, female golden eagles are larger than males.
Golden eagles are primarily dark brown, but get their name from their golden nape.
The nape varies in color from a straw yellow to a dark golden hue. Life Span A banded golden eagle lived about 17 years in the wild. The maximum recorded age for a captive golden eagle is 46 years. They also scavenge the remains of larger animals, such as deer. Other prey include young foxes, mink, lizards, snakes and game birds, such as grouse and ptarmigan.