Bald Eagle Catching A Starling In Mid-Air -- Real or Fake?

[Don & Danielle]

I was forwarded this link, that shows a Starling being caught in mid-air by a bald eagle.

[/url]http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldne ... d-air.html

I haven't inserted a link before, so I hope it works.

What do you think... real or photoshop?

[Louise Chambers]

I'm thinking it's likely to be a fake. Eagles soar, and feed on fish, carrion, etc. No way one would have the necessary agility to catch a small bird in flight—that's what fast, agile hawks and falcons do.

I just googled, and found this:

http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/N ... nners.aspx

Doggone, still looks fake to me - but I guess it's legit

Louise

[James Strickland FL]

That is fake.

[Matt F.]

Here is an article about the photos.
It also shows the sequence of photos taken.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldne ... d-air.html

[razman]

looks real enough to me!

[Guest]

Very real. Look at the small tears in the eagles primaries. They are consistent in all photos even as the eagle is in different positions. Trust me no one is interested in faking photos of eagles and starlings what is the point? I have also seen many eagles chase after offspreys and steal there fish. They are incredibly agile and a starling has very short wings and isn't exactly a quick bird.

Seems these eagles have learned a new prey and have developed a good technique.

[Guest]

It sure does look fake. Why isn't there any reaction from the starling? Looks photo shopped, but like somebody said,what's the point of that? But all that energy expended for that little reward? I guess so.

[frushaj]

Who cares! Best thing is one less Starling.

[Guest]

the starling is reacting by flying fo it's life. Should it be holding a sign in it's beak that says help me?

[Charles B]

Looks photo shopped, but like somebody said,what's the point of that? But all that energy expended for that little reward? I guess so.

Looks fake to me too, but it's not. It is listed on the National Wildlife Federation site in the 2009 photographic contest.
http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/N ... eshow.aspx
It is the 21st photograph in the series. 31 other pretty impressive photographs are also shown in the series.