Golden Eagle: deadly and uncompromising. How the Royal Eagle hunts

 The Golden Eagle

In medieval Europe, golden eagles were often used in falconry.

True, only kings could hunt with predatory birds, for which the bird received the nickname "royal eagle".But the eagle is known for more than that.

It is easy to guess that the golden eagle was loved by European kings and falconers from Asian countries for their hunting skills.

The size of the loot doesn't really matter to him.

"Golden Eagle in flight" by "Wikimedia Commons" is licensed under CC 2.0

Without hesitation, the eagle is ready to engage in a battle with wild animals that significantly exceed it in size and weight.

The golden eagle is a natural killer, so the instinct of self-preservation is blunted, but the instinct to destroy the chosen target is well developed. At any cost.

In the diet of the "royal" bird there are a variety of animals — there are a lot of options for snacking. It's easier to list who isn't there.🤔

Rodents are not exactly delicious prey. However, there are different voles, ground squirrels and marmots — a phenomenon that goes without saying in the golden eagle's stomach. Also, the eagle is happy to hunt hares, martens and foxes. Most of its menu is occupied by birds

From time to time it attacks deer, roe deer and... domestic sheep, for which in the period from 1941 to 1961.people opened a real hunt for the golden eagle — they destroyed more than 20 thousand birds.

Usually, when you need to eat, the golden eagle rises high in the sky and hovers for a long time, looking for a suitable target.

The golden eagle's vision is typically eagle-like: it is able to spot a hare "combing its ears" at a distance of up to 2 km.

Spotting prey, the golden eagle almost instantly switches from free soaring mode to rapid dive mode, often reaching speeds of more than 250 km / h.

Escape from the prehensile claws of the royal eagle is almost impossible.

And very often the animal does not even have time to understand that it is being hunted until it feels 6 kg of feathered rage on its skin.

In inclement weather, the golden eagle usually sits in ambush, perched on a tree or a suitable hill.

When potential prey is detected, it abruptly breaks off and arranges its signature "death dance" on the victim's back.

In general, depending on the situation and weather conditions, the golden eagle can use about seven different hunting techniques.

For example, when an eagle hunts birds that are slower in flight, it first soars up, and then very quickly descends and knocks the victim "off the wings" with a powerful blow, as a result of which the prey loses control, and the golden eagle grabs it with its claws.

Carrying up to 5 kg, it can easily drag to the nest.

Chasing large animals, the golden eagle flies low to the ground, waiting for the right moment to deliver a crushing blow with its beak.

In North America, golden eagles have been known to attack young bears and wolves. The bird is strong, and therefore absolutely fearless!