Golden Eagle - Bogha Glas

About

With a wing span of two meters and standing almost 1m tall the golden eagle is one of the largest and most spectacular Scottish birds. The plumages of adults and immatures are different. Adults are almost all dark with a golden nape and golden markings on the upper wings, whilst immatures have white patches at the base of their tail and in the centre of the wings. Golden eagles are usually seen in rugged mountainous terrain where they are often seen soaring on thermals or hanging in the wind. On Harris they feed mainly on red grouse and mountain hares. They are most spectacular to watch in early spring when they perform their undulating display flights.

The Harris hills hold the highest density of breeding golden eagle recorded in Europe and provide some of the best opportunities for viewing this species in Scotland. The golden Eagle is most easily spotted agaist the sky. Frequent scanning of the skyline with binoculars is the best way to locate them.