A golden eagle's eyesight is about five times sharper than a human's. From a kilometre above the ground, it can spot a marmot or a hare moving in the grass far below. When it dives towards its prey, it can reach speeds of over 240 kilometres per hour — faster than most motorway speed limits.
Golden eagles build enormous nests called eyries, usually on high cliff ledges or in tall trees with a wide view of the surrounding landscape. The same nest is used year after year and gets bigger each time, as the eagles add new sticks and greenery. Some eyries used for decades can weigh over a tonne.
Eagle chicks hatch in spring and are covered in soft white downy feathers. Their parents bring food constantly for the first weeks. Young eagles have a distinctive look — white patches under their wings and on their tail — that gradually disappear as they grow into adult plumage over four or five years.
Golden eagles are respected symbols of strength and freedom across many cultures. In Austria, the golden eagle appears on the national coat of arms and is a protected species. Their populations in Austria are healthy, which wildlife experts see as a sign of well-managed mountain habitats.