The sight of an adult Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) soaring in the afternoon sun gives one a feeling of freedom, but to watch the development of a pair of Golden Eaglets is a rare and thrilling experience.
The nesting cycle begins in early January when the adult birds commence their spectacular courtship displays and the nest site selection process. In southern California the nest locations are about equally divided between tree and cliff sites. The eagle nest, called an eyrie, is composed of branches and twigs ranging in size from 2.56 to 0.64 cm in diameter. From mid-February to mid-March one to three eggs, but usually two, are deposited in the nest. After an incubation period of 42 to 45 days, the first eaglet hatches. The second eaglet hatches three or four days later. Incubation is shared by both adults, but the majority is done by the female.