The golden eagle

The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a rare and protected species, although in recent years its numbers have been increasing in the Alps. At Peisey-Nancroix, it appears on the town’s coat of arms. The hike crosses through the territory of a pair of golden eagles. Monitored since 1973, it has already occupied 11 different eyries (term used to designate a bird of prey’s nests) and guided 35 young birds to take flight. It feeds mainly on marmots in summer and is content with carrion in winter.