Golden eagle
The largest bird in Slovenia.
The golden eagle loves openness, vastness, and inaccessibility, which is why it inhabits remote mountain and karst areas.
Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
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From beak to tail, it measures 90 centimeters, the wingspan of the extremely strong wings is over two metres—about the width of a mid-sized car! It can be recognized by its dark brown plumage and long, rectangular tail. The feathers on the back of its head and neck are a lighter, golden-brown color.
The largest bird of prey in Slovenia is not picky about its food. It hunts rabbits, mice, marmots, birds, foxes, young lynxes, chamois, and small livestock. It also feeds on carrion.
This vulture builds a huge nest of dry, green twigs on an inaccessible rock ledge.
The female lays one to two eggs from April to May. The eggs are incubated for about a month and a half until the naked juveniles hatch. If one juvenile hatches a few days before the other, it often happens that the larger one pushes the smaller one out of the nest. Since the smaller juvenile cannot fly yet, it dies. The female keeps the juveniles warm while the male brings them food. As they grow, both the male and female bring food. After about 70 days, the young eagles begin their first flights.
DO YOU KNOW?
- The golden eagle was a symbol of the Roman legions. It can also be found on the coats of arms of several countries, such as Germany and Albania.
- The female is larger than the male.
- Sometimes, the prey exceeds the eagle's own body weight, making it a significant effort to carry it away.
- In Slovenia, there are estimated to be around 25 pairs of golden eagles.