Bald Eagle Pirating Fish from Osprey

Osprey Portrait all photos by Rick

There is a long recorded history of eagles pirating fish from ospreys. A naturalist from England by the name of Mark Catesby first reported this pirating phenomenon back in 1731. Although there is a question as to how common this practice is, it is an incredible sight to see. Rick, a fellow bird lover from the Bird Forum shot a superb series of photos of just such an event. I hope you like them.

Bald Eagle Pirating from an Osprey

I am simply going to post these great photos by Rick here so that you can feel the excitement of an event like this. Here is the link to more of Rick’s Photos . I found a very complete article by Emory Davis and Katie Weiss on this “Fisherman of the Sky”, the Osprey and it is so complete I am just going to give you the link to it here: Osprey, Fisherman of the Sky . On to Rick’s photos…

Osprey Picking Up Fish

Osprey Lift Off

Osprey Getting Airborn

Osprey with Catch

Osprey Turning Fish

Aerodynamic Fish Flight!

These birds are truly amazing fishers of the sea. Even with all the advantages the Osprey has to catch fish (read this article Fisherman of the Sky ) the eagle may occasionally steal his meal from him.

I hope you enjoyed this great photo series by Rick and the article by Emory Davis and Katie Weiss linked above.