These are some very interesting creatures!
When we were at the Eagle Days event in Springfield we not only were able to see a Bald Eagle up close and learn a lot about that species, but we also were able to see this Golden Eagle too.
While @papa-pepper may know quite a bit about many animals, this is one that I hadn't really encountered any of these and I knew rather little about them. While Golden Eagles are eagles just like the Bald Eagles, there are some distinct differences.
BUILT DIFFERENT FOR DIFFERENT PREY
For one, Golden Eagles primarily eat mammals and other land creatures, whereas the Bald Eagles feed primarily on fish and waterfowl. This is why many Bald Eagles migrate south in the winter in search of open water when the lakes freeze over up north.
If you compare the Bald Eagle skull and talon on the left in the photo above with the Golden Eagle skull and talon on the right, you will see that the Golden Eagles have talons that are about twice the size of the Bald Eagles'. This is due to the prey that they eat.
The Bald Eagle can grasp fish just fine with the large, sharp talons that it has. However, the Golden Eagles' talons are much larger because they need to be able to rupture vital organs inside mammals when the eagle grabs them from behind/above. These talons enter through the back of the animal, go between the backbone and rib cage, and into the internal organs of their prey. Things like this are some of the things that I was previously unaware of.
INCREDIBLE SPEED AND POWER
While Bald Eagles can dive, they mostly grab their prey while swooping. Golden Eagles, though, can dive at speeds up to 200 mph (320 kph). This allows them to pull off some pretty amazing attacks. Did you know that Golden Eagles can kill animals as large as deer and mountain goats?
It's true, but it may not be in the manner that you think. While some people, especially on the internet, periodically show eagles carrying away large prey, this does not happen in reality. An eagle can only carry something about half of its weight, so an eight pound eagle could carry a four pound mammal or fish, but that is about it.
While the eagles would attack smaller prey by grasping it with their talons, for larger prey, they actually "punch" the animal. A dive-bombing Golden Eagle with its talons tucked away and toes curled up into "fists" slamming into a mountain goat on a cliff ledge at 200 mph gets the job done. The animal is knocked off balance, topples over the edge, and the meat is "tenderized" on the way down. Then, the eagles flies down in to the ravine or valley and eats it fill, leaving the rest or scavengers.
I can't imagine dying that way. I'd heard that eagles could kill larger mammals like that, but I did not know the method that they used. Anyway, it was amazing to see one of these creatures in person, and it was a blessing to have my whole family learn even more about the animals that live upon this earth with us. I hope that you learned something too!
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-eagle-days
Until next time…
Don’t waste your time online, invest it with steemit.com
I have learned a lot from this post. I did not know the differences between the Bald and Golden Eagles. Now I know. Both are certainly birds of prey but I didn't realise that their prey was different. They are majestic birds and deserve our respect.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Cool! I'm glad that I shared it!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
We have these around our property all the time. Both Bald and Golden Eagles as well as Osprey. I need to get a new camera so I can start getting the pictures I would like to get. The other day we had 4 Golden eagles flying just outside our window...huge birds. A few years ago we had over 300 Bald eagles on our river in just an 8 mile stretch. It was quite the show. We have watched them pluck fish (some really nice ones) out of the river, carry off snakes, rabbits, other birds. About 5 years ago, we were driving to church one morning, and I noticed way up in the air, two bald eagles going into the mating clinch where they fall together. They disappeared behind a mountain. As I drove around the hill, all of a sudden, literally inches above the hood of my truck, they separated and flew off, one to my left and one to my right. One of the neatest things I have ever seen in the world of birds.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I like Eagles a lot, @papa-pepper , my dearest wild man thanks for sharing info about the golden eagle. These creatures are so beautful , intelligent and strong ...an impressive bird of prey indeed.
I mentioned you on my latest post about branding...feel free to see it. I wish you more success
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the best-known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed species of eagle. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. These birds are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their napes. Immature eagles of this species typically have white on the tail and often have white markings on the wings. Golden eagles use their agility and speed combined with powerful feet and massive, sharp talons to snatch up a variety of prey, mainly hares, rabbits, marmots and other ground
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
That is a fabulous picture of one gliding along, so lovely to see (from afar), I'd never want to see one up close if it was on the hunt. :D
God bless you. :D Have an awesome day! :D
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
this hawk is very handsome and great, @papa-pepper.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
That is one big magestic bird
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Very nice photos!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
very nice papa-pepper, visit my blog, kaloe there
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I wondered, and I did some research on it. I would like to share with you
The Golden Eagle is one of the largest, fastest, nimblest raptors in North America. Lustrous gold feathers gleam on the back of its head and neck; a powerful beak and talons advertise its hunting prowess. You're most likely to see this eagle in western North America, soaring on steady wings or diving in pursuit of the jackrabbits and other small mammals that are its main prey. Sometimes seen attacking large mammals, or fighting off coyotes or bears in defense of its prey and young, the Golden Eagle has long inspired both reverence and fear.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I there much difference between large hawks and eagles?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yeah, I learnt a lot too.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
great man nice your animals photo
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Did you say GOLD?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yup, #truestory!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
When I was little I had a trip with my school to a eagle shelter. And they asked someone to volunteer to feed the eagle. They picked me and gave me a dead pilic to feed a big eagle. The bird flew to me with the light speed and ripped of the pilic from my hand. That experience shocked me for my whole life.
Since that day I never liked those birds.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow! That would be a crazy experience~
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Not so much, I cried
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
birds of all birds, and very aggressive birds of prey,
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
nice your animal post
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
it turns out you like also about animals, eagle is one of the most vicious air predators, you know many things, you are amazing @papa-pepper
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
So cow tipping isn't a myth! But seriously, interesting article. I think the white-tailed eagle is the largest bird of prey we have in The Netherlands, but in my region the buzzard is the largest. Not that spectactular 8-).
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
LOL - Cow tipping. Glad that you liked the post @ocrdu!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Now that is a lot of great information to get, how did the little peppers enjoy the education on them?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
They really liked it, but this was their second year, and only my first time. Some was a refresher for them.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Considering your area do they get to see many?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
wow.
Nice eagle photo.
👍👍👍
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Rule no1; dont play with an eagle. I always love watching and learning about them since childhood.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Never realized there was that big of difference between the two. Thank you for sharing.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
"WOW" Look at the firm look on their eyes.Superb!!!!
-cheers-
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Amazing @papa-pepper😘😘
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
truly amazing..it is really interesting to know about them,how they find their prey..wonderful.. nature is amazing :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Great Post & Pictures!
I enjoy birdwatching a lot and see bald eagles several times throughout the week here in New York. The golden eagle tho is a very stunning bird!
Thanks for sharing & Steem On :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
fully natural animal. ..thats so nice. ...i realize
thisvso much... Thanks a lot for sharing your valuable post....
Carry on next
Best of luck..
I will still wait for your next post....
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks. This post is really informative. I have watched eagle's in documentaries and they are pretty amazing, but I have not really pay close attention to them. For example I don't know that the bald eagles and the golden eagle's have such district characteristics . I'm so impressed by the way these different features They have, enable them to be able to survive in their environment. Great post my friend.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
nice bird, i like the eagle golden
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I love eagles🖤🖤
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
my uncle is with real unique eagle
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Very cool!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow, eagles are very impressive birds of prey. I'm not a huge fan of birds, probably because they kind of creep me out, but I enjoy seeing them from afar and in posts like this one. :D The golden eagle is beautiful and so is the bald eagle but I'd hate for one to be mad at me, especially now that I know more about how they both kill. I think I'd be scared-est of the golden eagle now that I know that they can knock me down and at the speed that they'd do it. Yikes up to 320 kph, that is impressive, I can't even imagine the shock wave that would go through their preys body on impact, but I know it wouldn't be pleasant at all. :D
Thanks for sharing and helping me learn something new today. :D You know its a great day when you learn something new. :D
God bless you and the whole pepper clan. :D Have an awesome day my fabulous friend. :D
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
My favorite eagle
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Great information! Eagles are amazing. Living in Alaska I have had the chance to see them a lot. I grew up in a town on the Coast of Alaska where a few tourists every summer had to watch their little dog or cat get picked up and carried off by a Bald eagle to its death. It's like "Come on Eagle those talons were meant for fish not that little old ladies dog!"
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
wow nice your animals photo
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yeah, I thought so too!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow! Golden eagles are very cool. I didn't know they could dive that fast.
That's as fast as a peregrine falcon, and those birds are insanely fast.
For something as large as this to go that fast, would be something incredible to see, ;-)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hi there @papa-pepper - I visited Tahoe a few years ago when I was in America and was lucky enough to see one :) On a side note - I've just completed a writing assignment and have tagged your name in it. https://steemit.com/dolphinschool/@andysantics48/opportunities-to-grow
Here is the link - I would really love it if you could take the time to visit my page :) thanks @andysantics48
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow. That is a marvelous critter!! You might enjoy this photo I took of a local Saskatchewan bird of prey.
https://steemit.com/colorchallenge/@kobiespriggs/colorchallenge-yellow-wednesday-peregrine-falcon-feet
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow this is so amazing to know there exist golden eagles@papa-pepper
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Papa this is a pretty merciful way to go. One minute your a mountain goat the next your hamburger and not feeling a thing.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
The eagle looks graceful!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Great post @papa-pepper. They're a fascinating bird for sure and over here in Britain we're fortunate enough to have some, well, at least in Scotland. We don't have that many birds of prey being a small island so we're very grateful to have these.
I believe they're the largest eagle (though please correct me if I'm wrong, of course) and have the second fastest dive in the animal kingdom after the peregrine falcon. And like you say, few animals on high narrow rocky ledges would be able to keep their balance if one of these crashed into them.
A truly majestic animal, eh, and more than worthy of a name with such grand connotations.
I can't help but feel the red kite is more aesthically pleasing, though! ;) We have loads near where I live after they nearly went extinct from Britain 20-odd years ago. They're supposed to be one of the few bird species known to do barrel-rolls for the sheer hell of it! (Or at least, their close relatives in the US do.)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow, amazing.king of the killing of bird. Eagle is the best one, @papa-pepper.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Sheesh
Flying death punch
These eagles are no.joke.
Keep Steemin
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
another amazing animal informative post @papa-pepper , you've always been follwed by our mom @zephalexia , one added info i got from your blog was that eagles can eat pray larger than them actually they can kill, and it's amazing how they can punch them hehe , thanks for sharing this 👏👍❤️❤️❤️
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
didn't know this, thanks for the information. I saw eagles in Spain on a documentary grabbing mountain goats(?) and dropping them hundreds of feet down off cliffs. Interesting to realise these American birds do the same thing.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit