aerie

The nest of a large bird of prey — an eagle, a hawk, a falcon — built high on a cliff ledge, a tall tree, or an inaccessible rock face. An aerie is chosen for its vantage and its impregnability: the bird wants to see everything and be reached by nothing. Some aeries are used for generations, growing larger each year as new material is added. A bald eagle's aerie can weigh over a ton.