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Hot on the Trail: Eagles Everywhere!

Posted on November 19, 2014

 Seen on site November 14th - 19th, 2014! 

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It's the circle of life; predators need to hunt and consume in order to survive. This week at FortWhyte Alive we have sure seen a lot of it! There has been a spectacular show of bald eagles feasting on the remaining Canada geese that have not left for their winter migration yet. 

 

But why?

Eagles are carnivores, and are the top consumer in many food chains. They are scavengers as well as opportunistic hunters; hence the dining on goose foie gras. Eagles will follow migrating Canada goose flocks, and pick off the water fowl that are too weak, or sick, to continue their travels. It's not all sad though. The carcasses and left overs from the geese means that other scavengers like magpies or coyotes also get to enjoy a meal. 

 

-Ranger Rachel