In Campbell River, a coastal city in British Columbia, Canada, two bald eagles have been seen picking up domestic cats in their talons and then flying over to some rocks on a beach in front of the Anchor Inn whereupon they drop the cats from a height of about 70 feet, which kills them. It makes me wonder whether this is a deliberate way to kill prey for the bald eagle. Certainly, other bird species drop their prey onto rocks from a height. This is usually to break open the carapace or shell of animals
The original story is not about this method of killing these cats but about the simple fact that people are seeing two very confident, juvenile eagles hunting domestic cats in Campbell River. Apparently, one of them landed on the decking of someone’s house to look for something to eat; quite possibly another domestic cat.
These hunting sorties are occurring between the 1st and 4th Avenues in Campbell River. It is highly unusual for bald eagles to prey on the domestic cat. Prey is usually fish and possibly squirrels, ducks turtles and geese etc. but not cats.
For me, living in the UK, reading about this, it highlights the reason for keeping cat companions in the home in North America or at least closely supervising them when they are outside. This is not the sort of thing that would ever happen in the United Kingdom.
Thats nature where hunter becomes prey and at times the prey becomes the hunter,.
exactly while cats get blamed for wildlife all the time. 🙁
Classic example of food chain I guess.
And, bird kills are blamed on cats when these predators are more than equally hunters.
I’ll bet you’ll never read about this in an Audubon newsletter.
Dw enlightened me to owls a while ago that are so large in her area that they can carry off a cat and do. That blew me away.
And, yes, there are so many dangers here that I can’t criticize anyone that keep cats indoors.
Yea i guess theres always a danger when kitties are so young and not protected by mummy. Thankfully theres no eagles here but theres always dangers of the outside. I think we do have hawks but alot of this is out in the countryside and open areas. Always keep a watchful eye on Jasmin as i can.
I guess all is fair in the jungle, but hopelessly hard on the human if they lose a friend this way. I recently learned that it is the talons of the owl, clamping on that kills the prey, which is an easier way to go I suppose. I don’t know about the bald eagle dropping prey to do the job. Cats weigh more than most large owls, but apparently the owl can carry several times it’s weight. Skunks are a favorite tasty morsel for a great horned owl. Kittens born and living outdoors are vulnerable to owls. But turn around is fair play. Cats, both domestic and feral are known to raid an owls nests. Not a common occurrence, but it does happen. Nature is what nature does. It is up to us, to care for our little friends and protect them.