Eagles galore

[the nature boy]

I got a tip about a slough housing dozens of eagles, less than 20 miles from town. I didn't believe it totally until I saw it myself. I counted approximately 50 at this slough. There must have been a lot of dead fish under the thin ice. The next day 90% of the ice was off and half the eagles were gone. I'm sure they'e all migrated through by now. Most of the eagles were much too far away for a decent photo except for one across the road from the slough in the front yard of a farm place. It was quite the spectacle.

The second day I did find an active nest about 5 miles from there so I'll be checking that out occasionally. I did manage to catch one preening not too far from the nest. He was a long ways from the road but I didn't want to get out of the car and disturb them.

[eyeguy 54]

cool ! !

[Ufatz]

I always like to remind my friends from the lower 48 to keep close watch on their dogs and cats when eagles are hanging out in your area.  They will pick up a small dog or cat in a heart beat-it is nothing more than prey for them. I have seem them lift and fly away with a young fawn so please don't think it can't happen to  your pet.

They ARE fun to watch.

[RebelSS]

Wow! 

[the nature boy]

Has to be a pretty small dog then. Alaska Fish and Game has interesting info on this. According to their biologists, the maximum weight a Bald Eagle can actually carry is 4 - 5 pounds.

 

[eyeguy 54]

puppies and kittens

I was at an archery shoot in brainerd many years ago and a baldy flew over with a small puppy yipping in its claws.  bummer for the puppy. 

[gunner55]

Had a few fish laying on the ice up here about a week ago & there was a pair on shore nearby eyeing our catch. I enjoy watching them too.

[Ufatz]

Lemme tell you something.  I don't know who wrote that for ADF&G but I will guarantee an adult eagle can easily lift and fly away with more weight than that!!  The figure must have come from one of our junior grade fishery biologists or somebody out of the information section.  Any old timer will tell you interesting stories about seeing them haul away some pretty big stuff.

You can let your little dog run as you wish my friend when eagles are near, but be prepared for some heartbreak.

Oh......and I DO know a bit about ADF&G!    Ha Ha HA!

Edited March 14, 2016 by Ufatz

[eyeguy 54]

little dogs are pretty light

 

 

fun info

 

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=343

[the nature boy]

Just going by my searches. Based on 4 websites I've read anywhere between 3 lb. and 6.5 lb. Eagles are larger in Alaska so they can probably carry up to 7.5. My dog weighs 17 lb. so I'm not going to be too concerned. 

[half-dutch]

An eagle is perfectly willing to kill prey bigger than it can carry off.  Mongols use Asiatic eagles to hunt wolves.  So you expose your small dogs at their risk.  Same for cats. 

[the nature boy]

4 minutes ago, half-dutch said:

An eagle is perfectly willing to kill prey bigger than it can carry off.  

That I don't doubt. 

[eyeguy 54]

toto isnt safe anymore in mn. 

[Ufatz]

Nature Boy  I think if your dog weighs 17 lbs. and is of substantial size you are safe. I did not mean an eagle was going to fly off with a full grown Lab or a Black Angus steer!  My cautionary note was for those who have small dogs and cats etc.   Let's not get carried away here!   But I KNOW they will pick up a newborn fawn or a pretty large salmon or a ten pound Yorkie etc.  I have actually seen an eagle dive and hit a big king salmon in the back,   not be able to lift it and be dragged into the water.  They have a difficult time disengaging their claws and are sometimes dragged under. And when they survive-if they do- I've watched them breast stroke back to the beach and man do they look  pi---ed when they crawl up on a rock to dry out. I have also watched a big eagle sit for most  of an afternoon in front of my cabin pigging out on a halibut carcass and when he went to fly away he ould NOT get off the ground.  Made several attempts and ended up WALKING down the beach off in the direction where his (her) nest tree was.   Funny funny thing to watch.

I've got many more but you'd get bored.  Trust me:   keep an eye on your small dogs and cats in an area where eagles are common.

PS   And I know the guy who wrote the cited article and am familiar with the work of other guys. I do not disagree with most what they say but wish they could have more data from old time guys who have spent their lives out there where it all happens,

Edited March 14, 2016 by Ufatz
add note

[the nature boy]

1 hour ago, Ufatz said:

Let's not get carried away here!   Pun intended? 

But I KNOW they will pick up a newborn fawn or a pretty large salmon or a ten pound Yorkie etc.  

According to the Yorkie Info Center, the AKC lists 7# as the maximum acceptable weight. Most fit into the 4 - 7 lb. range. 

I've got many more but you'd get bored.  Don't be so sure.

 

 

 

[Ufatz]

Okay. You win. But I'll bet I'm the only guy here who has had a full grown mature eagle in his bathtub! 

That's all.   I quit.

[eyeguy 54]

lol

 

[the nature boy]

On 3/14/2016 at 5:38 PM, Ufatz said:

Okay. You win. But I'll bet I'm the only guy here who has had a full grown mature eagle in his bathtub! 

Now you've got me real curious. There has to be a story to go along with this. A picture would be even better but I'll settle for the story. 

[half-dutch]

Great Horned Owls regularly carry off adult skunks that can weigh up to 10 pounds,  I sorta doubt Bald Eagles are weaker and Golden Eagles are likely even stronger.  

Golden Eagles are reported to prey on both fawns and adults of pronghorns.  And there are many reports of Bald Eagles taking Canada Geese. 

This reminds me of the warnings we give tourists on our musky lakes about not letting their little dogs swim in the lake water. 

The MN DNR Eagle cam is active now and the pair has three hatchlings already. 

Edited March 20, 2016 by half-dutch
additional information

[eyeguy 54]

dont let your kids climb on these rocks !

[the nature boy]

2 hours ago, eyeguy 54 said:

dont let your kids climb on these rocks !

Awesome video. I've read about their hunting prowess, especially with sheep, but never seen it. Golden Eagles are much better hunters than Bald Eagles. I wouldn't walk my dog near that mountain. 

[eyeguy 54]

Great horned owls really have some lifting power. pretty cool. feather design helps also I suppose.