Eagles, the masters of the skies.

Bald eagle with seagull as prey.

I have seen and photographed eagles with captured fish, ducks, and seagulls.  They will also take small terrestrial animals such as rabbits, rats, and even domestic pets given the chance.  Essentially, if they can get it off the ground, it is fair game.

The method of attack is always the same; feet first, claws out, and in flight.  They will take prey on land, in water, and in the air.  A bald eagle's grip is between 300 and 400 psi, enough to drive the talons deep into the tissues of their victims.  If that doesn't dispatch the prey, the sharp beak is more than enough to do the job.

A bald eagle can lift about 5 to 6 pounds from a static position but more if taken while in flight (up to 10 from what I read).  They can store a few pounds of food in their crops and so they don't need to eat every day.  Given the fact that bald eagles will feed at previous kills (you can often see them eating the remains of dead salmon after they have spawned), a single catch could easily last a single eagle a few days.  Since eagles mate for life, it would not be unusual for a catch to maintain a pair for a day or two.

When I lived in the Lower Mainland I used to see eagles on a regular basis.  Brackendale, the Harrison River, and now the Richmond landfill are great places to see them.  Now that I live in Kelowna I don't see them anymore, although I am sure they are around.  I will always be in awe of their majesty.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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