Aquila Chrysaetos .... The Golden Eagle has a body length of 30 - 40 inches, a wingspan of 6 1/2 - 7 1/2 feet, and weighs 7 - 13 pounds. HABITAT: Golden Eagles range from sea level to several thousand feet, occupying most of the open terrain of deserts, mountains, plateaus, and steppes in the Northern Hemisphere. They are not usually found in heavily forested areas. Golden Eagles living in the northern part of their range move south when the food supply becomes scarce in the winter NAME DERIVATION: The scientific name comes from the Latin word aquila, meaning an eagle; khrysos, the Greek word for golden; and aetos, meaning an eagle. Golden Eagles are named for the golden colored feathers on the back of their heads. This eagle has also been known as War Bird, Ring-tailed Eagle, Black Eagle, Bird of Jupiter, Jackrabbit Eagle, Royal Eagle, and King of Birds. INTERESTING FACTS: Some Golden Eagles eat tortoises. They fly with the tortoise held in their talons and then drop the tortoise on a rock outcrop to break the shell open.They have also been known to take down a young deer. Golden Eagles are more closely related to hawks, like the Red-tailed Hawk, than to Bald Eagles. Bald Eagles are more closely related to kites.