Aquila Chrysaetos

Aquila Chrysaetos, the golden eagle, is one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey in the northern hemisphere.

It rules the mountain air, soaring for hours on the updraughts that rise along the ridges, and its remarkable eyesight can catch the faintest movement on the slopes far below.

The day dawns, and from behind the mountain the eagle appears. It rides the wind with scarcely a beat of its wings, gliding over the peaks in search of prey — this soaring flight is the main theme.

The moment its keen eyes spot prey, it launches into the attack, folding its wings into a steep, headlong dive. It hurls the prey from the cliff, then settles to feed on its catch.

Then the eagle takes to the air once more, climbing back into the heights as the main theme returns in full heroic glory.