Golden eagles are residents of prairies, mountains, and tundra, frequenting arid, open country with buttes and canyons. Once common in North America and northern areas of Eurasia, they are now found mostly in inaccessible regions of the western United States, Canada and Mexico. The northernmost populations will occasionally migrate south when food becomes scarce in winter.
Golden eagles are carnivores, feeding primarily on rodents and other small mammals.
Adults are dark brown with golden napes visible only at close range, with an impressive wingspan of over 7 feet. Their legs are fully feathered to their talons. Though typically not vocal, they sometimes emit a high squeal. The golden eagle was the symbol of ancient Rome, just as the bald eagle is the symbol of the United States. Golden eagles are monogamous and often form permanent pair bonds.