The deck hand is throwing chunks of fish and the eagles fly down and get some in mid air and some off the water. I took this yesterday near Ketchikan.
Eagles in Alaska
- Thread starter Donald
- Start date
Illegal here in Florida. Same as feeding or providing water to Manatees, verboten.
If he was a wildlife or park ranger then maybe an exemption? I've seen on TV where Alaska wildlife rangers will ticket people for feeding the wildlife.
The boat was in waters designated as part of Native American reservation. And had permission from the tribe.
Went there once. While walking around a small town observing the homes I spotted a totem on top of one. It was topped with a carving of a raven. While spending a minute or two admiring the sculptor's carving skill the huge bird turned towards me and launched into a loud belligerant cacophony. Startled me good enough to still remember that.
They are spiritual icons to the native Alaskans.
Wikipedia
They are spiritual icons to the native Alaskans.
Wikipedia
A former co-worker of mine who worked for the FwS in Alaska was of the opinion that Bald Eagles are like rats in that they're everywhere.
Native tribes can have their own rules for most wildlife on Tribal land, but that does not apply to eagles. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 is very strict.
We live with eagles and osprey daily.
Beware the immature Bald Eagle. They will come down on prey they cannot possibly lift even in full adulthood and if they do kill (perhaps an ignorant chicken) they have not the combined grip strength and vertical take off ability - yet.
Mama osprey watching chicks is one of the best motherhood examples. But wow she must tire herself out.
I am so glad they made a comeback!
Beware the immature Bald Eagle. They will come down on prey they cannot possibly lift even in full adulthood and if they do kill (perhaps an ignorant chicken) they have not the combined grip strength and vertical take off ability - yet.
Mama osprey watching chicks is one of the best motherhood examples. But wow she must tire herself out.
I am so glad they made a comeback!
I could write pages here...
My daughter lived in King Cove, AK, halfway down the Aleutian chain. The eagles there were a nuisance, and even a danger. So many it was ridiculous. They swarmed the local dump and any other trash can they could find. Sometimes they would land in the middle of the road and eat some carcass, and bring traffic to a virtual stop. No fear of cars or people.
Then, at her elementary school, small kids could not go out and play without an "eagle watcher" to guard against one swooping down to take a child, it was scary. Forget about owing a mid sized or small dog in King Cove. It wouldn't survive long.
My daughter lived in King Cove, AK, halfway down the Aleutian chain. The eagles there were a nuisance, and even a danger. So many it was ridiculous. They swarmed the local dump and any other trash can they could find. Sometimes they would land in the middle of the road and eat some carcass, and bring traffic to a virtual stop. No fear of cars or people.
Then, at her elementary school, small kids could not go out and play without an "eagle watcher" to guard against one swooping down to take a child, it was scary. Forget about owing a mid sized or small dog in King Cove. It wouldn't survive long.
Bald eagles, correct?
Maybe 15 pounds lift maybe. Most can only lift 10 pounds max. But generally large prey for bald eagles is 4-8 pounds
So they are not taking school yard children. (toddlers aged 1 to 3 years are approximately 22 to 38 pounds, kids (5+) in a school yard 30+ pounds) Yes they will take a small pooch, but not a fat cat. That said, as I mentioned, stupid juveniles might do stupid junk and leave nasty talon marks. Yikes.
I saw one take a dead raccoon off the highway in front of me. Really cool to see but it was struggling to lift it but got it to the field next to the road
I dunno. I am not an eagle expert. The Net says:
- Harpy Eagle: Known as the strongest flight-capable bird, this species can lift and fly with prey weighing up to 20 to 30 pounds.
- Steller’s Sea Eagle: Capable of lifting heavy prey, such as sea lions, up to 20 pounds.
Guarding the kids is no joke. THIS was neutralized by the King Cove Principal (pictured), literally ON the kids playground.
