The Bald Eagle - A predator is only as good as its weapons.

Bald eagle capturing fish

An effective predator is only as good as the weapons it has at its disposal.  The bald eagle has four weapons which it uses to overcome its prey; talons, beak, size, and strong flight ability.  The talons alone are undeniably its greatest asset as they are razor sharp and can be presented towards its quarry with minimum risk to body (see top right image).  I have seen eagles carry off seagulls, ducks, and large fish with ease.  There are stories aplenty of them absconding with small dogs, much to the horror of their masters.  Should an eagle decide to turn its claws onto a competitor or threat, wisdom would suggest valour take a back seat and the would be target head for the nearest cover.

Of course, the skin piercing legion of knives are supported by the beak.  Once the claws have subdued or at least mercilessly embraced a victim, the strong beak begins tearing off pieces of flesh.  If not already dead from the multiple lacerations imparted by those talons, the beak would surely finish the job.  Eagles have been seen attacking and killing young deer (link below).  They don't necessarily have to fly off with their quarry - pieces are fine.  All this can happen because of its great size and strength, other assets which this awesome bird wields easily and with authority.

We may cringe at the concept of the eagle dispatching its prey with the only desire to sustain itself or support its family, but this is the way nature works.  Eagles are considered top carnivores because nothing eats them yet they consume a wide variety of other organisms.  They are masters of the air, the land, and the sea.  I live in south western British Columbia where eagles abound.  I have half a dozen living within a square kilometer of my house, and there are literally thousands within a radius of 100 km.  I see them so often that I take it for granted.

I was camping down in Washington state and had three kayaks with me.  I met a couple who had never kayaked before and she had never seen a bald eagle, apparently something she had always wanted.  We took the boats out on a lake and it wasn't long before one of the Masters of the Sky appeared.  She gazed with awe at its majesty and grandeur, then watched incredulously as it dove towards the water.  Moments later it flew off with its scalely reward.  I remember her words at the time, "Now I can die in peace."  It must have been an incredible moment.


https://www.earthtouchnews.com/natural-world/predator-vs-prey/bald-eagle-swoops-in-on-a-swimming-fawn-video/