Despite their large size, Golden Eagles are surprisingly agile in the air. They can dive at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour and yet they are still able to land gently on the ground without injury by spreading their wings and tail feathers, maximizing air resistance, and slowing their descent.

This video accompanies Chapter 5, Avian Flight, Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd Edition from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Wiley Publishing.

Recorded by Neil Rettig