Getting in a flap: Pair of American bald eagles battle with each other over a piece of dead carp

  • Wildlife photographer Rob Palmer captured the stunning shots
  • The American Bald Eagles were fighting over dead carp
  • The sky tussle was snapped in Farmington Bay, near Salt Lake City, Utah
  • The area is famous for being host to up to 458 eagles at one time

By David Gardner

PUBLISHED: 17:56 EST, 28 April 2013 | UPDATED: 17:57 EST, 28 April 2013

Bald eagles have many attributes. They can fly as high as 10,000 feet, they have incredible eyesight and they even make good swimmers.

But they don’t like to share.

In this amazing action shot taken by wildlife photographer Rob Palmer, two American Bald Eagles battle over a piece of dead carp, with one clawing the other in the eye with its sharp talons.

Rob Palmer captured the shot of two American bald eagles fight it out for a piece of dead carp in Salt lake City.

Rob Palmer captured the shot of two American bald eagles fight it out for a piece of dead carp in Salt lake City.

The eagles don't like to share and sometimes you will get the birds fighting over one big fish even though there are others close by

The eagles don't like to share and sometimes you will get the birds fighting over one big fish even though there are others close by

Every winter, flocks of bald eagles gather along the Great Salt Lake, where there is plenty of carp to eat in freshwater bays.

Every winter, flocks of bald eagles gather along the Great Salt Lake, where there is plenty of carp to eat in freshwater bays.

It’s not unusual for the eagles to fight over their food. Sometimes they will even go to war over one big fish even though there are others close by.

 

More...

The sky tussle was snapped in Farmington Bay, near Salt Lake City, Utah, which is a magnet for eagles in the US.

Every winter, flocks of bald eagles gather along the Great Salt Lake, where there’s plenty of carp to eat in freshwater bays.

The birds of prey seek out patches of open water to pluck out carp with their talons.

The eagles took to the sky as continued to battle it out over the dead fish

The eagles took to the sky as continued to battle it out over the dead fish

About 50 American bald eagles are marking time at Farmington Bay this season, a low amount compared to the high of 458

About 50 American bald eagles are marking time at Farmington Bay this season, a low amount compared to the high of 458

The numbers of wintering eagles in Canada and North America fluctuate from winter to winter, but no one has a clear idea why

The numbers of wintering eagles in Canada and North America fluctuate from winter to winter, but no one has a clear idea why

‘The eagle concentration is associated with the huge carp population out there,’ said Phil Douglass, an outreach manager for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. ‘It’s a perpetual thing. There’s always lots of carp.’

About 50 bald eagles are marking time at Farmington Bay this winter. Other seasons have seen as many as 458.

Nobody knows why the numbers of wintering eagles from Canada, Alaska and northern US states fluctuate from winter to winter.

One bare tree along a Farmington Bay dike is famous for holding 25 or more eagles at a time, when the birds aren’t soaring or hunting.

Bald eagles are at the top of the food chain and can reach 30-35 mph when they have a level flight

Bald eagles are at the top of the food chain and can reach 30-35 mph when they have a level flight

Bald eagles have a wingspan reaching 90 inches and can be vicious when fighting over food

Bald eagles have a wingspan reaching 90 inches and can be vicious when fighting over food

One famous tree in Farmington Bay can have up to 25 or more bald eagles on it when they aren't hunting

One famous tree in Farmington Bay can have up to 25 or more bald eagles on it when they aren't hunting

The female bald eagle is 35 to 37 inches, slightly larger than the male. Both have a wingspan ranging from 72 to 90 inches.

During level flight, they can achieve speeds of about 30 to 35 mph.

They sit at the top of the food chain and eat mainly fish, although they will hunt some small land animals. Once paired, bald eagles remain together until one dies.

 
Add your comments

Comments (18)

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

I know the one dishing out all the painful kicks, it's Steve Seagle. I've seen him in action before....mean dude. He wont stand for any carp.

Click to rate     Rating   3

Report abuse

Magnificent eagles. Stupendous photographs.

Click to rate     Rating   16

Report abuse

Yavin , Singapore, you're a looney

Click to rate     Rating   6

Report abuse

Wow! And here Ben Franklin argued that we should have the turkey as the American symbol over this magnificent bird. Thank goodness we had a wise Congress at that time and they chose otherwise. - PS , Anytown, But you already have the turkey as the American symbol - its now called the American President .

Click to rate     Rating   5

Report abuse

Clash of the titans! A 72 - 90 wingspan? Impressive!

Click to rate     Rating   5

Report abuse

What a magnificent bird. I was blessed to be able to hunt these during a gap year trip.

Click to rate     Rating   21

Report abuse

Tasty carp plucked from water is dead on land, ~~ But fight for possession goes on even in sky; ~~ Seized with fury, claws are out, flames are fanned, ~~ As each one wanted a bigger share of the pie. ~~ // In this deadly combat, much harm could be done: ~~ Each the other closely watches & dodges the blow; ~~ As the maxim goes - half a loaf is better than none, ~~ Feast on the spoils & don¿t let the emotions show! ~~ //

Click to rate     Rating   5

Report abuse

Bald eagles are thieves, is why Franklin didn't like them. They steal fish from ospreys.

Click to rate     Rating   9

Report abuse

Those fowl would look great stuffed on my mantel.

Click to rate     Rating   33

Report abuse

What a load of carp.

Click to rate     Rating   5

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

You have 1000 characters left.
Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.
For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.
Terms