This bateleur eagle was so hungry that it chose to eat one of its own kind by catching it and taking it into a tree.
41-year-old Ernst van Asseldonk, a manager of facilities and real estate, during a trip to Kruger National Park. Ernst, along with his girlfriend Stephanie, experienced this unique moment. They shared the images and story with LatestSightings.com.
Ernst and his girlfriend departed from Lower Sabie and headed towards Skukuza. It was a typical morning in the park until something extraordinary happened. “We were just enjoying the drive, looking around, not expecting anything unusual.”
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His girlfriend, Stephanie, was the first to spot the scene in a tree. “There it was, a bateleur eagle, majestic and powerful, but what it was doing was shocking.” They witnessed the bateleur eagle eating another smaller eagle. “It’s very rare to see such a sight. I’ve never seen anything like it before. It reminds you of the rawness of nature.”
Bateleur eagles are truly fascinating birds and a sight to behold in the wild. They are known for their distinctive appearance, with striking black, white, and chestnut colors and a very short tail, which makes them look quite unique. Bateleurs are actually quite large, with a wingspan that can reach up to six feet!
When it comes to their diet, bateleur eagles are pretty versatile. They are carnivores, which means they eat meat. Their menu in the wild includes a variety of small animals like birds, reptiles, and mammals. Sometimes, they even eat carrion, which is the flesh of dead animals. They have incredibly sharp eyesight, allowing them to spot their next meal from high up in the sky. Once they see their target, they dive down at an amazing speed to catch it.
Ernst and Stephanie were alone in this experience, making it even more special. “It was just me and my girlfriend. These moments, you don’t forget them. They stay with you.”