WHAT DO EAGLES USE TO HUNT?
There are a number of tools that an eagle uses to locate and kill the needed meal, whether that were a monkey, small mammal or fish.
Eagle Eyesight
It has been proved again and again that humans do not have the best eyes in the animal kingdom. Well, one of the top contenders for the best eyesight is the eagle. With eyes roughly the same size as ours, they are about 4 to 8 times stronger than a human with average vision. They also use both monocular and binocular vision, meaning that they can use each eye independently from one another if need be. These improvements have made it possible for an eagle to see a rabbit that is as far as 3.2 kilometers away.
Tactful Talons
If you were to take a close look at an eagle’s foot, you might notice 4 toes, or talons where one is facing toward the back. This special talon is called the “hallux”. With a toe that faces in this direction, the bird can grip the prey more easily. The Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the largest sea eagle in North America, weighing in around 3 to 6 kilograms. The talons of a Bald eagle have been proven to grip at a rate of about 400 psi, pounds per square inch. That is 10 times stronger than a human gripping your hand.
Warring Wings
With such large wings, these birds are specifically designed to catch their prey from the air. Consider the fact that these wings not only have to support the weight of the eagle, but also the size of the captured prey. They also have the ability to conserve energy through feathers that are long and wide. This aids in gliding so that the bird can fly for miles without wasting energy that could be used for hunting. When in action, they are able to tuck in and become more aerodynamic. The Golden eagle, for instance, can fly up to 240 kilograms per hour when diving after prey.
Bulky Bill
Mentioned earlier was the curved bill, a trademark for all eagle species. But what exactly is the use of having a bill that is hooked? The fact of the matter is that this feature can help to tear the flesh, or skin, apart from their prey. The “hooked” edge snags on the fur and flesh, separating the two for easier digestion and more efficient meal. This is essential for an animal that doesn’t have teeth.
EAGLE DIGESTION
When it comes to absorbing nutrients, the eagle’s multi-parted digestive system gets the job done. In fact, an eagle’s stomach is approximately the size of a walnut. After the hooked bill tears down the prey into pieces, the food is moved down into the crop, which is responsible for storing food temporarily. After, the food is sent in small parts to the stomach. There are two parts when it comes to an eagle’s stomach. The proventriculus is in charge of breaking down the food with digestive enzymes. Then the gizzard continues to mash it up. Once this process is done, the food can be absorbed through the small intestine.
WHAT DO BABY EAGLES EAT?
Eagles need to find food for themselves and their young eaglets in order to keep the next generation alive. You might think that these babies require milk, but that is not the case. Instead, they are given meat from the moment that they can see. An adult eagle will go out multiple times a day in order to find easy prey such as a rabbit or gopher. They will then proceed to tear up the meat into small pieces so that the eaglets will be able to consume the prey.
These young birds need to be fed up to 8 times in one day, making it a constant demand for the parents until they are able to fledge or fly out of the nest. Fledgling typically happens anywhere from 10 to 12 weeks after they are hatched.
DO EAGLES DRINK WATER?
As a general rule of thumb, most eagles acquire most of their daily water requirements through the food that they eat. Eagles who incorporate a lot of fish into their diet do not need to go out and find water in the environment. This does not mean, however, that an eagle will drink freshwater when the chance arrives.
WHAT DO EAGLES EAT IN CAPTIVITY?
The most common type of eagle that is held in captivity is the Bald eagle. Most zoo visitors like to see these animals because they were once listed as endangered. In the wild, these birds typically live for about 20 to 30 years of age. In captivity, it is likely to see them approach closer to 50 years.
Regardless of what species the eagle is, it will typically be fed a diet of fish. This is because of the fact that it is an easy food that can be placed around the exhibit and mimic how the bird would act in the wild. Additionally, large portions of wild eagle species tend to thrive off of fish rather than small mammals or lizards.
RELATED QUESTIONS
How long can eagles go without food?
Because these birds have a crop for storing their food, they can actually go quite a few months without eating. The longest that an eagle can survive without taking down prey is 150 days, though this would be stressful on the bird’s body.
How much can an eagle carry?
There are a few misconceptions about how many kilograms an eagle can carry. Though they do have strong wings, these appendages have to support the weight of the eagle and the carried prey. Biologists have determined that an eagle weighing around 5 kilograms can successfully lift an animal that measures about 2 kilograms.
Will an eagle eat dogs and cats?
Unless you own a pet that weighs around 4.5 kilograms or less, there shouldn’t be any worry about an eagle carrying them off. There have been a few cases of these scenarios happening, but it is unlikely. An eagle would rather hunt another prey item that could be easier to hold on to with its talons.
Do eagles have any predators?
You may have remembered hearing that eagles are “Birds of Prey”, but they do have a few enemies. Other birds, such as ravens and Great-horned owls have been known to attack nests. Occasional egg thieves may also include squirrels and raccoons. As for adult individuals, humans are the biggest threat.
The eagle is a master of the sky with sharp talons, strong wings, and a hooked bill. They tend to prey upon smaller animals such as rodents, lizards, birds and even mammalian species. There’s no wonder that these animals have been used to represent courage with the title “Bird of Prey”.
