Golden eagle

L'Golden Eagle is one of the most imposing and recognizable raptors, with a length of 76 to 93 cm, a wingspan of 190 to 240 cm, and a weight of up to 6.6 kg in females, while males are slightly smaller. Its plumage is predominantly brown, with golden highlights on the head and nape that give it its name, while juveniles have white spots on wings and tail that disappear with age. It lives in mountain and rocky environments, often between 1,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level, building its nest on inaccessible rock faces or sometimes in large trees.

It is a formidable hunter, capable of catching mammals such as hares, marmots and small ungulates, and during periods of scarcity it feeds on carcasses. Monogamous, it forms stable pairs that defend large territories, using multiple nests in rotation. Egg-laying occurs in spring, with one or two chicks reaching independence after about four months. The golden eagle is a symbol of power and freedom, and its ecological role is critical to the balance of mountain ecosystems, although its survival depends on the protection of natural habitats.