It's easy to spot the difference between golden eagles and bald eagles; bald eagles have a white head, while golden eagles are a homogenous color. Golden eagles are more prevalent than bald eagles, living all across Montana in mountains, prairie canyons and other rugged terrain that provides good updrafts for flight. The giant wingspan of golden eagles (typically about seven feet) gives them ultimate control in flight, and they can easily navigate with even the slightest movement of their wingtip feathers.

Golden eagles usually begin mating at age four, and often keep the same mate for life (typically 15 to 20 years). They nest on rocky crags or trees, and mated pairs may return to the same nest year after year. Golden eagles usually raise one or two young each year; like the adults, the young eat fish, mice, rabbits, hares and various rodents. Golden eagles have escaped heavy DDT contamination because (unlike bald eagles) they don't rely on fish as their primary food source.