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Animal Guide

American Golden Eagle

34 destinations · 21 states

Native Range
Western North America, with populations extending across parts of the Northern Hemisphere

The American golden eagle is a powerful bird of prey that becomes even more impressive when you see the scale of its wings up close. Adults have dark brown feathers with a distinctive golden sheen around the back of the head and neck, especially noticeable in sunlight. Watch the head as an eagle surveys its surroundings. It can remain remarkably still while the eyes track movement at a distance, then suddenly shift its attention to something on the ground. Golden eagles hunt mammals such as rabbits and ground squirrels, using their speed, strong feet, and curved talons to capture prey. They are also skilled fliers, using rising air currents to circle over mountains, deserts, and open country with surprisingly little effort. A perched eagle may look calm, but the hooked bill and powerful talons give a clear sense of the equipment behind its hunting style. At a zoo or wildlife destination, seeing one spread its wings is often the moment when its size becomes obvious, with broad flight feathers extending far beyond what its compact resting shape suggests.

American Golden Eagle

Where to see American Golden Eagle

34 destinations across 21 states

34 destinations

ABQ BioPark Zoo

Albuquerque, NM

Alaska Zoo

Anchorage, AK

Big Bear Alpine Zoo

Big Bear Lake, CA

Birmingham Zoo

Birmingham, AL

Bronx Zoo

Bronx, NY

California Living Museum

Bakersfield, CA

CuriOdyssey

San Mateo, CA

Dickerson Park Zoo

Springfield, MO

El Paso Zoo

El Paso, TX

Elmwood Park Zoo

Norristown, PA

Hattiesburg Zoo

Hattiesburg, MS

Hutchinson Zoo

Hutchinson, KS

Idaho Falls Zoo

Idaho Falls, ID

Indianapolis Zoo

Indianapolis, IN

John Ball Zoo

Grand Rapids, MI

Lehigh Valley Zoo

Schnecksville, PA

Living Coast Discovery Center

Chula Vista, CA

Living Desert Zoo

Carlsbad, NM

Micke Grove Zoo

Lodi, CA

National Aviary

Pittsburgh, PA

Navajo Nation Zoo

Window Rock, AZ

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Eatonville, WA

Orange County Zoo

Orange, CA

Oregon Zoo

Portland, OR

Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix, AZ

Roger Williams Park Zoo

Providence, RI

Rolling Hills Zoo

Salina, KS

Roosevelt Park Zoo

Minot, ND

San Francisco Zoo

San Francisco, CA

The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Palm Desert, CA

Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

Toledo, OH

Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park

Salt Lake City, UT

ZooMontana

Billings, MT

Zootah

Logan, UT

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