If you have ever fed a flock of pigeons or seagulls, you probably recall how greedy and pushy these feathered friends can be. In fact, seagulls have been well-documented snatching snacks straight out of tourists’ hands and pigeons are not shy about demanding their treats either.
Yet in a video posted from Dutch Harbor, Alaska, a fisherman proves that bald eagles behave much better than their smaller avian brethren as he coughs handful after handful of shrimp onto the deck and the giant birds of prey gobble them up.
Bald eagles are impressive beasts. With a weight averaging from 7 to 14 pounds, but an impressive wingspan that can soar from 6 to 8 feet in width, these carnivorous scavengers are not to be messed with.
Yet when the fisherman walks onto the deck of the fishing boat with a metal bowl full of shrimp, they know they are about to get a special treat. At first, the viewer notes approximately 10 birds scattered on the dock.
They hop and squabble over the shrimp, but each eagle gets its turn snatching up a tasty treat. Yet when the camera pans to the left, the viewer is surprised to note at least a dozen more birds sitting patiently on the boat railing and then even more bald eagles posed on the ship’s mast!
While the fisherman did not bring enough shrimp for everyone, the other eagles don’t appear to hold a grudge.
They probably manage to sneak a snack or two anyways from the fisherman’s daily catch as all of the birds appear well fed.
Do you enjoy feeding the birds in your neighborhood? Would you feel as comfortable as this fisherman tossing snacks out to a flock of hungry birds of prey?
Take a moment and tell us about your own experiences in the comments below. If you found the sight of a full flock of eagles inspiring, pass this story onto a friend!
