Bald eagles are majestic birds of prey that symbolize strength, courage, and freedom. Their powerful talons and razor-sharp beaks make them expert hunters capable of taking down large prey. But would a bald eagle attack and eat a household pet like a cat?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Bald eagles are opportunistic hunters and have been known to attack cats, but they do not typically seek out cats as prey. Cats make up a very small percentage of the bald eagle’s diet.
In this detailed article, we’ll look at what bald eagles eat, how they hunt, and examine real-world cases of bald eagles preying on cats. We’ll also explore how common these attacks are and what factors lead eagles to target cats.
By the end, you’ll have a thorough understanding of the bald eagle’s dietary habits and how likely an eagle is to go after a pet cat.
The Bald Eagle’s Diverse Diet
Fish Are the Main Prey
Bald eagles are opportunistic predators, feeding mainly on fish that are readily available. Fish make up 60-90% of their diet. Bald eagles inhabit areas near water sources like rivers, lakes, and coasts where fish are abundant.
Their favorite fish include salmon, herring, pollock, shad, catfish, and suckers. An adult bald eagle can consume 1-1.5 pounds of fish per day on average. Using their incredible eyesight, bald eagles can spot fish swimming near the water’s surface from high vantage points like treetops or cliffs.
After spotting prey, they will swoop down swiftly and snatch fish out of the water with their powerful talons. Bald eagles are skilled at catching fish – their talons have spikes on the bottom to help grip slippery prey and they have backwards facing scales on their feet to help them grasp fish more securely.
Birds and Small Mammals Also on the Menu
While fish make up most of their diet, bald eagles exhibit opportunistic feeding habits and will prey on whatever is readily available. They often hunt birds like herons, geese, and ducks. Mammalian prey includes rabbits, muskrats, raccoons, squirrels, prairie dogs, and feral cats and dogs.
Bald eagles usually consume smaller mammals, but some large specimens are capable of killing adult deer and pronghorn antelope fawns. Though cats and small dogs may potentially be prey, eagles tend to target easier catches like fish and waterfowl.
It is rare for a bald eagle to attack a healthy cat or dog. Still, pet owners should supervise outdoor pets, especially smaller animals that may attract an opportunistic eagle.
Opportunistic Hunters Will Take Advantage
Bald eagles are true opportunistic predators – they will eat carrion and steal prey from other animals. Up to 50% of an eagle’s diet can consist of carcasses during certain times of year like winter when fresh prey is scarce.
Eagles frequent areas around landfills looking for dead animals to scavenge. They will also pirate fish and prey caught by other animals like ospreys, stealing the food right out of their talons. Bald eagles have even been known to intimidate smaller raptors into dropping their catch so the eagle can swoop down and grab it before it hits the ground.
Their varied diet and opportunistic feeding habits help bald eagles adapt to changes in habitat and prey availability.
Bald Eagle Hunting Habits and Capabilities
Powerful Talons and Sharp Beaks
Bald eagles have some of the largest and most powerful talons in the bird world, with razor-sharp claws and a vice-like grip. Their beaks are also super sharp, curved and designed for ripping and tearing. When hunting, bald eagles use these weapons to snatch up prey in an instant.
They can exert an incredible 500-700 pounds per square inch of pressure with their talons – more than enough to crush bones and pierce vital organs. No small animal stands a chance once clasped in the clutches of a bald eagle.
Soaring and Stooping
Another remarkable bald eagle capability is their flying and diving prowess. Bald eagles are expert soarers, effortlessly riding thermals and updrafts to survey the landscape below. Once prey is spotted, they employs a hunting tactic called “stooping” – tucking in their wings and going into a steep, powered dive towards the target.
Eagles can hit speeds over 100 mph doing this! They spread their talons at the last moment to snatch up prey before swooping back upwards. It’s an awe-inspiring sight to witness a bald eagle stooping down on its target.
Scavenging When Necessary
While capable hunters, bald eagles are also opportunistic scavengers. They have strong enough stomachs to handle carrion and will readily feast on animal remains and carcasses. In fact, around 90% of a bald eagle’s winter diet comes from scavenging!
They lack the sharp sense of smell vultures use to locate carcasses, but their keen eyesight helps them spot opportunities. Bald eagles will harass other raptors and birds to steal their kills too. Stealing food takes less effort than hunting it themselves, so why not take the easy meal if it presents itself?
With their specialized hunting adaptations, these charismatic raptors are able to thrive across North America. Their powerful talons and razor-sharp beaks make short work of prey, while their effortless soaring and stooping tactics are a marvel of avian evolution.
And when pickings are slim, bald eagles aren’t above scavenging carrion to survive harsh winters. Truly the bald eagle is a consummate opportunistic hunter and scavenger.
Cases of Bald Eagles Preying on Cats
Mostly Feral and Free-Roaming Cats
Bald eagles are opportunistic predators and will eat whatever prey is readily available. Although they prefer fish, waterfowl and small mammals, they have been known to prey on domestic cats on occasion.
However, these cases almost always involve feral cats or free-roaming outdoor pet cats rather than indoor house cats. Feral cat colonies and outdoor cats wandering in parks, backyards and nature areas put them directly in the path of hunting eagles.
One study conducted in Southern California examined the diet of breeding bald eagles by analyzing their nest remains. Out of over 1,500 identified prey items, there were 3 occurrences of domestic cat remains found in the nests.
All of the cat remains appeared to be from adult-sized cats and were likely scavenged as carrion or preyed upon opportunistically. The rarity of cat remains found suggests that cats make up an extremely small percentage of bald eagle diet in the wild.
Usually Young, Inexperienced Eagles
The bald eagles most likely to occasionally prey on domestic cats tend to be younger birds. Young eagles in their first few years after fledging from the nest do not have fully developed hunting skills and may have difficulty capturing their normal wild prey.
An inexperienced juvenile eagle may find an outdoor pet cat an easier target compared to catching a duck in mid-flight for example.
In one widely reported incident from Seaside, Oregon in 2018, a series of pet cat disappearances and deaths were linked to a young bald eagle nesting nearby. The eagle was tracked down and relocated to mitigate the conflict.
However, wildlife officials stated such behavior from an eagle was uncommon and likely due to the bird’s inexperience and immature hunting abilities.
When Food is Scarce
During times when an eagle’s normal food sources are scarce, such as winter months when lakes and rivers freeze over, they may become more likely to go after pets and livestock. There are a handful of reports of bald eagles preying on cats and other unusual prey during harsh winters when fish and waterfowl are difficult to come by.
A Maine wildlife biologist recounted 2 cases of eagles killing cats that both happened during the winter. In one incident, the biologist decided to test the eagle’s winter diet by putting out roadkill deer carcasses.
Several eagles came to feed but the biologist noted that one young eagle ignored the deer and continued hunting nearby, indicating it had adapted to seeking alternative prey.
Wildlife experts emphasize these cases of eagles preying on pets represent rare, isolated incidents mainly driven by hunger and inexperience. The vast majority of eagles hunt predominantly fish, waterfowl and small mammals.
But pet owners should still keep cats indoors given the remote chance of an encounter with an eagle, particularly during winter.
How Often Do Bald Eagles Attack Cats?
Bald eagles attacking cats is a rare occurrence, but does happen occasionally. Here is a deeper look at how often bald eagles go after domestic cats:
Bald Eagle Diet
The bald eagle’s primary food sources are fish and waterfowl. They are opportunistic predators, meaning they will prey on animals that are most readily available and vulnerable. While bald eagles prefer to eat fish caught in waterways, they have also been known to hunt rabbits, snakes, seabirds, and other small mammals for food.
Domestic cats do not make up a normal part of the bald eagle’s diet. However, in certain circumstances, bald eagles may prey upon cats, particularly free-roaming cats that venture outside. Bald eagles have incredible vision that allows them to spot potential prey from high vantage points.
Documented Bald Eagle Attacks on Cats
There are a handful of reported cases of bald eagles attacking cats over the years. Here are a few examples:
- In 2005, there were news reports of a rash of cat disappearances thought to be linked to bald eagle predation in Alaska.
- In 2012, a bald eagle in Pennsylvania was photographed carrying a cat in its talons.
- In 2021, a bald eagle in Minnesota made off with a family cat, captured clearly on a home surveillance camera.
While startling, these types of incidents seem to be isolated and unusual events. Bald eagles likely mistake cats as a potential food source when the opportunity presents itself.
Frequency of Attacks
It’s estimated that bald eagles attack domestic cats less than 1% of the time when compared to their other prey. Given that there are over 200,000 bald eagles and 94 million pet cats in the United States, confrontations are still scarce.
Eagles are much more likely to target their natural prey sources like fish, waterfowl, and small mammals that are abundant near waterways.
That said, free-roaming outdoor cats in areas with bald eagle populations do face a small risk. Cat owners are generally advised to supervise their pets when outside and not leave them unattended for long periods.
Preventative Measures
Here are some tips for keeping cats safe from bald eagles:
- Keep cats indoors or provide screened outdoor enclosures.
- Supervise cats when they are outside.
- Avoid areas near large bald eagle nests or regular perches.
- Bring pets inside at dawn and dusk when eagles are most actively hunting.
- Deterring perching spots by trimming trees may dissuade eagle activity near homes.
While eagle attacks are uncommon, proper precautions will minimize any risks. With some care, cat owners can coexist with local bald eagle populations.
Can Eagles Be Deterred from Hunting Cats?
Supervise Outdoor Cats
One of the best ways to protect outdoor cats from bald eagles is to supervise them when they are outside. Eagles are opportunistic hunters and may try to grab a cat if given the chance. Always stay within view of your cat so you can intervene if an eagle approaches.
Keep cats on a leash or confined to an outdoor enclosure when possible. Bring cats indoors before dawn and after dusk when eagles are most active hunting. Be extra vigilant during eagle nesting season in spring when adults are hunting to feed their young.
Scare Tactics
There are some tactics that may help deter eagles from trying to hunt cats in your yard. Motion-activated sprinklers, flashing lights, and sounds from loud music or alarms may startle eagles and cause them to avoid the area.
Place these deterrents near trees or perches where eagles like to survey for prey. Scarecrows placed near your cat’s outdoor hangouts may also help convince eagles to move on. You can also try hanging old CDs from tree branches or stringing taut wire across open spaces since the reflection and movement may spook eagles.
Remove Attractants
One of the best ways to discourage eagles from frequenting your property is to remove things that attract them. Eagles are drawn to fish ponds so securing these is important. Eliminate outdoor pet food and water bowls that could draw in small rodents and birds that eagles feed on.
Clean up fallen fruit around trees and keep compost bins secure. Consider covering small pets like rabbits or chickens with enclosures to make them less visible. The more you can limit food sources that appeal to eagles around your home, the less incentive they will have to hunt your cat.
Conclusion
Bald eagles are impressive hunters that occasionally may prey upon cats when the opportunity arises. However, they do not specifically target house cats as a significant food source. By better understanding eagle behavior and deterrents, owners can take steps to protect outdoor cats in eagle territory.
Ultimately, unattended free-roaming cats in areas with eagle populations are at some risk – but attacks remain quite rare. With proper precautions, eagles and outdoor cats can safely coexist.