Watch as ferocious bald eagle snatches an osprey right out of its nest
A live camera overlooking an osprey nest on Hog Island, Maine in the US captured an utterly astounding moment on Monday.
The live feed was set up in the spring by Explore.org to watch the nest of ospreys named Rachel and Steve, along with their eggs.
Eventually viewers of the feed saw three osprey chicks hatch from the eggs, but tragedy struck on Monday as a bald eagle was captured attacking the chicks after Rachel and Steve had left.
The video shows the three chicks in their nest as the eagle swoops in and attacks with frightening speed.
Just before the eagle strikes, you can see one chick dive for cover as its brave sibling tries in vain to defend the nest before it is unceremoniously snatched up by the eagle. The third chick seems to give up all hope as it ducks its head, but somehow it escapes the attack.
Nature at it’s most deadly…
Speaking to Audubon.org the president for bird conservation at the National Audubon Society Steve Kress described the video as “one of the best videos I’ve ever seen of eagle predation”.
“It’s an amazing video really,” said Kress. “It’s one of the best videos I’ve ever seen of eagle predation.”
“I didn’t realize they’d take chicks that big, but now we know they do.”
The two remaining chicks have since returned to the nest they share with their parents.
You can follow the progress of the osprey family on the video below:
