Golden Eagle
World Eagle Day
Mar 18
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ring’d with the azure world, he stands.
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls."
~ "The Eagle", Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892)
Happy Eagle Day with a namesake strathspey containing flowing figures and the open wings of a golden eagle soaring in multiple directions! Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are a species of large bird of prey in the Accipitridae family, known for their remarkable size and powerful build. With a wingspan ranging from 1.8 to 2.3 meters, they are one of the largest birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere! Golden eagles are identifiable by their dark brown plumage with lighter golden-brown plumage on their heads and necks. In Scotland, they are primarily found in the Highlands and Islands, utilizing habitats that include mountainous regions, moorlands, and peatlands, where they can hunt for a variety of prey such as hares, birds, and occasionally carrion. Golden eagles are territorial birds, often requiring large territories of up to 200 square kilometers to support a breeding pair. Scotland represents a stronghold for the species within the UK, with conservation efforts in place to monitor and protect their populations. 🦅 🦅 🦅 🧡 💛
The Golden Eagle
A day for raising awareness for protecting the eagle, Eagle Day promotes educational outreach and assistance in recovery of their natural environments.
The golden eagle breeds primarily in Scotland, where there are open, treeless areas down to sea level. Adult golden eagles are famous for the light golden brown colouring on their head, neck and shoulders. Their bodies are mostly a medium brown colour with lighter mottling. Golden eagles are rarely heard and adults generally only call when agitated. Hungry young birds make a loud 'yip-yip' sound that can be heard from some distance.
The white-tailed eagle, found in Shetland and parts of mainland Scotland has the Gaelic name of "Iolaire suile na grein," 'the eagle with the sunlit eye' for its striking, pale eyes.
Ancient peoples in Scotland would leave their dead in the open to be scavenged by birds of prey such as eagles.
"Eagle", in golf refers to a score of two under par for a given hole, and is an extension of the bird theme of good scores, such as "birdie."
Click the golden eagle for some Celtic eagle lore.
And to see the dance performed by RSCDS Edinburgh, at the City Chambers, Edinburgh, 2018, scroll down.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
