Golden Drop
Short answer: The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is the most widely distributed eagle, found across the Northern Hemisphere. It mainly eats hares, rabbits, marmots and ground squirrels, and occasionally takes larger prey such as ungulates.
Its best-documented dropping behavior involves tortoises. A 2022 study in Scientific Reports by José María Gil-Sánchez and colleagues describes golden eagles in southeastern Spain preying on spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca) by dropping them onto rocks to break their shells. The tortoises served as alternative prey where rabbits had become scarce, and the eagles selected adult females. A 2022 study in Diversity by Lavrentis Sidiropoulos and colleagues found that tortoises made up an average of 71% of prey categories in golden eagles' breeding-season diet in northern Greece. Outside the breeding season, while tortoises hibernate, the eagles switched to carrion, mammals and birds. Golden eagles also drop sticks and rocks in courtship, catching them again in mid-air. The Reel's footage shows an eagle carrying a young ungulate, which then tumbles down rocky slopes. Dropping or knocking ungulates off cliffs is known mainly from filmed and anecdotal reports rather than systematic studies.
What should you know about Golden Drop?
Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.
Golden eagles drop tortoises onto rocks to break their shells.
Tortoises made up about 71% of golden eagles' breeding-season diet in northern Greece.
Video transcript: Golden Drop: Gravity as a Hunting Tool
DID YOU KNOW? Golden eagles are powerful raptors known for their dramatic hunting techniques, including dropping prey from great heights to kill or disable it. When hunting animals like tortoises, large rodents, or even young ungulates, they may seize the prey in their strong talons, fly high into the air and release it onto rocks or hard ground below. The impact can break shells, bones, or otherwise incapacitate the prey. NOW YOU KNOW!
Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 22.2s Reel ·
The write-up
Gravity as a hunting tool. Golden eagles drop tortoises onto rocks to crack them open.
- Exhibit A
Rock drop
Golden eagles prey on tortoises by dropping them onto rocks to break their shells.
- Exhibit B
Plan B prey
In Spain, tortoises were alternative prey where rabbits were scarce, and eagles picked adult females.
- Exhibit C
Greek diet
In northern Greece, tortoises made up about 71% of the breeding-season diet.
- Exhibit D
Usual menu
Their main prey is hares, rabbits, marmots and ground squirrels, with occasional ungulates.
- Exhibit E
On camera
Dropping young ungulates is known mostly from footage and anecdotal reports, not studies.
Questions people ask about Golden Drop
Which prey are golden eagles best documented dropping onto rocks?
To break the shell.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rock drop) · Gil-Sánchez et al. (2022), Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce, Scientific Reports; Sidiropoulos et al. (2022), Pronounced Seasonal Diet Diversity Expansion of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Northern Greece during the Non-Breeding Season: The Role of Tortoises, Diversity
What is the golden eagle's scientific name?
It's the most widespread eagle.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rock drop) · Gil-Sánchez et al. (2022), Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce, Scientific Reports; Sidiropoulos et al. (2022), Pronounced Seasonal Diet Diversity Expansion of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Northern Greece during the Non-Breeding Season: The Role of Tortoises, Diversity
In Spain, why did eagles turn to tortoises?
Tortoises were alternative prey.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rock drop) · Gil-Sánchez et al. (2022), Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce, Scientific Reports; Sidiropoulos et al. (2022), Pronounced Seasonal Diet Diversity Expansion of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Northern Greece during the Non-Breeding Season: The Role of Tortoises, Diversity
About what share of breeding-season prey were tortoises in northern Greece?
Sidiropoulos et al. 2022.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Plan B prey) · Gil-Sánchez et al. (2022), Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce, Scientific Reports
Which tortoise species did the Spanish study focus on?
The spur-thighed tortoise.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rock drop) · Gil-Sánchez et al. (2022), Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce, Scientific Reports; Sidiropoulos et al. (2022), Pronounced Seasonal Diet Diversity Expansion of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Northern Greece during the Non-Breeding Season: The Role of Tortoises, Diversity
Test Your Knowledge
All quizzes →5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.
Which prey are golden eagles best documented dropping onto rocks?
- Tortoises
- Fish
- Snakes
- Eggs
Show the answer
Answer: A. Tortoises To break the shell. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rock drop) · Gil-Sánchez et al. (2022), Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce, Scientific Reports; Sidiropoulos et al. (2022), Pronounced Seasonal Diet Diversity Expansion of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Northern Greece during the Non-Breeding Season: The Role of Tortoises, Diversity
What is the golden eagle's scientific name?
- Aquila chrysaetos
- Haliaeetus leucocephalus
- Gypaetus barbatus
- Falco peregrinus
Show the answer
Answer: A. Aquila chrysaetos It's the most widespread eagle. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rock drop) · Gil-Sánchez et al. (2022), Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce, Scientific Reports; Sidiropoulos et al. (2022), Pronounced Seasonal Diet Diversity Expansion of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Northern Greece during the Non-Breeding Season: The Role of Tortoises, Diversity
In Spain, why did eagles turn to tortoises?
- Rabbits were scarce
- Tortoises were faster
- Snow covered the ground
- Tortoises are sweeter
Show the answer
Answer: A. Rabbits were scarce Tortoises were alternative prey. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rock drop) · Gil-Sánchez et al. (2022), Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce, Scientific Reports; Sidiropoulos et al. (2022), Pronounced Seasonal Diet Diversity Expansion of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Northern Greece during the Non-Breeding Season: The Role of Tortoises, Diversity
About what share of breeding-season prey were tortoises in northern Greece?
- 71%
- 7%
- 17%
- 99%
Show the answer
Answer: A. 71% Sidiropoulos et al. 2022. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Plan B prey) · Gil-Sánchez et al. (2022), Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce, Scientific Reports
Which tortoise species did the Spanish study focus on?
- Testudo graeca
- Chelonoidis niger
- Gopherus agassizii
- Aldabrachelys gigantea
Show the answer
Answer: A. Testudo graeca The spur-thighed tortoise. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rock drop) · Gil-Sánchez et al. (2022), Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce, Scientific Reports; Sidiropoulos et al. (2022), Pronounced Seasonal Diet Diversity Expansion of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Northern Greece during the Non-Breeding Season: The Role of Tortoises, Diversity
Cite this case file
Easterling, Marcus. "Golden Drop." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-611, last updated Jul 8, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/golden-drop/
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