In this unusual sighting, a pair of guineafowls took exception to the presence of an eagle. Apparently, raptors don’t automatically rule the roost.
Regular contributor Mark Fox submitted this footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while visiting South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Unusual meal
Mark’s video begins with a view of an eagle standing on the ground. As it bends forward, it seems that it is eating something.
Subsequently, we see a few winged termites rise from the ground at its feet. Although the bulk of their diet consists of birds, carrion, and small mammals, some eagle species will feed on protein-rich termites when available.
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Eagle identified
Subsequently, the eagle raises its head, enabling us to identify it as a tawny eagle, one of the most commonly sighted eagle species in Kruger.
Note how the gape extends to the centre of its eye, which differentiates it from a Wahlberg’s eagle. While some have suggested it might be a brown snake eagle, the presence of feathers on its legs and other characteristics rules out this possibility.
Meal interrupted
However, the unusual meal was not the strangest thing about this sighting. As the eagle feeds, a pair of helmeted guineafowls arrive.
Immediately, the new arrivals advance on the eagle. However, when they get too close, the eagle launches itself at one of them.
But the nimble guineafowl is too quick and easily evades the eagle, despite repeated attempts to chase it off.
Considering that tawny eagles do occasionally hunt guineafowl, they must have a good reason to be acting so brazenly in the raptor’s presence.
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Unlikely competitors
The most likely explanation for this unusual behaviour is that the two species are competing for the same food resource, i.e., the termites. But then it looks like the guineafowls are about to give up as they move away.
However, it turns out they were just preparing for a counterattack. Amazingly, the pair then charges at the eagle. Spending much of their time on the ground, guineafowl are remarkably sure-footed across uneven terrain.
Subsequently, it is all the beleaguered eagle can do to stay out of their way. Time and again, the guineafowl gangsters rush at the eagle, working together to intimidate their dangerous rival.
Every time the eagle tries to snap up some more termites, the pestering pair comes sneaking back to disturb its meal.
Fed up
Eventually, it looks like the bullying birds have tired themselves out. Consequently, the eagle resumes feeding.
However, it was all a ruse. Accordingly, when the guineafowl again charge towards it, the eagle decides it has had enough.
It may not have eaten its fill, but it is definitely fed up, and promptly flies off.
