The Golden Eagle is very widespread throughout the northern hemisphere north of the Sahara, but in any one region its population is quite small. They feed largely on rabbits and the like, but will take prey as large as foxes or as small as mice. They also take ground-feeding birds (chickens, grouse and so on). They have been persecuted by Man because he sees them as taking young farm animals such as lambs, and they have been driven out of some areas as a result. However reintroductions and greater tolerance have seen them return to old habitats. They weigh between 4 and 6 kg, which is quite heavy for an outstretched arm, and the wingspan can be up to 2.3 metres.