Birds
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos · Acvilă de munte
A large, powerful eagle of high mountains, usually seen soaring along ridges.
At a glance
- Status in Romania
- Resident
- Habitat
- Mountain
- Activity
- Daytime
- Diet
- Medium-sized mammals and birds, and carrion, especially in winter.
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Photography difficulty
- Difficult
Identification
Dark brown with a golden-buff nape, long broad wings and a fairly long tail. Young birds show white patches in the wings and tail.
Habitat
Remote mountains with cliffs, alpine meadows and open slopes.
Approximate range in Romania
When it is active
Daytime
Diet
Medium-sized mammals and birds, and carrion, especially in winter.
Behaviour
Pairs hold large territories and perform undulating display flights.
Seasonality in Romania
- JanPresent
- FebPresent
- MarPresent
- AprPresent
- MayPresent
- JunPresent
- JulPresent
- AugPresent
- SepPresent
- OctPresent
- NovPresent
- DecPresent
Existing monthly estimates are retained for reference, but have not yet been verified against a Romanian source and are excluded from seasonal filters. Unconfirmed months do not imply absence. * Event timing retained from the earlier entry, not yet source-verified.
Breeding
Nests on cliff ledges or large trees. Nest sites are highly sensitive.
How to find it
Scan high ridges from a distance on clear days when thermals form.
Photography
General guidance based on the species’ behaviour, not a report of Nick’s personal field experience.
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Ethics
- Never approach cliffs or trees with nests.
Practical starting points, not fixed rules.