Golden Eagles are the "pre-eminent diurnal predator of medium-sized birds and mammals in open country throughout the northern hemisphere" (Watson 1997)
Fond of carrion, but eat medium-sized mammals (del Hoyo et al. 1994)
Rodents
Rabbits and hares
Squirrels
Carnivores, such as mustelids, foxes, cats
Prey on birds, especially game species, such as grouse and partridge (del Hoyo et al. 1994)
In some areas where preferred prey are scarce, Golden Eagles known to capture other raptors and also their prey:
Report in Spain of subadult Golden Eagle killing and eating a Bonelli's Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) and the prey item of that eagle. (Bosch et al. 2007)
Report from Scotland of peregrine, merlin, and kestrel remains in eagle nest (Watson 1997)
Less often, reptiles (del Hoyo et al. 1994)
Lizards
Snakes
Tortoises (Ernst & Lovich 2009)
In northeastern Lapland prey on reindeer calves (Norberg et al. 2006)
In western U.S. and Canada reports of occasional predation on pronghorn and pronghorn calves (Goodwin 1990); also mountain goat kids (Zettergreen 2006)
Mason (2006) summarizes a number of larger prey for Golden Eagles:
Coyote
Domestic calves, domestic sheep and lambs
Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) lambs
Mountain goat kids (Oreamnos americanus)
A rare report of a golden eagle attacking a bear cub and carrying it away in Norway. (Sorensen et al. 2008)
Carrion in winter, especially sheep and deer
Pairs may hunt together
When hunting together, male typically flies above and in front of female
Most attacks on prey initiated by male
Golden Eagles occasionally consume other raptors (Bosch et al. 2007)
May happen when more typical prey are scarce
Alternate explanation: in order to reduce competition for food and nesting sites
Channel Island foxes, an endangered species in California, are prey for golden eagles since 1990's (Roemer et al. 2002)
Talons for Catching Larger Prey
Golden Eagle hunting a fox in the snow. Navasrky, Czech Republic.
