A wild Golden Eagle chick has hatched in Co Donegal, for the first time in almost 100 years. Golden Eagles last bred in Glenveagh, Co Donegal in 1910 and became extinct in Ireland after the last breeding attempt in Co Mayo in 1912. Adult eagles were reintroduced into Glenveagh National Park as part of a Golden Eagle reintroduction programme in 2001, and despite eggs being laid in 2005 and 2006, this is the first year young have been produced.

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The exact location of the nest has not been revealed to the public in order to minimise disturbance to the birds. The breeding adults were collected as chicks from the Highlands of Scotland. The pair was first spotted together on 1 August 2006 and have been together since.

Golden eagles are quite common in the western United States. In Illinois, they are sometimes seen during migration, mostly along the Mississippi River Valley. Many people mistake immature bald eagles for golden eagles. Immature bald eagles have some white streaking on the undersides of the wings.

Golden eagles get their name from the golden colored feathers on the nape of their necks. The gold color is most apparent in bright sunlight.

They are larger, and more powerful than the bald eagle, their formidable strength allows them to take larger mammals, such as jackrabbits (in the west). The young of larger mammals, such as pronghorn antelope, are also sometimes taken.