Subscribe to the UPI Odd Newsletter
A courageous eagle made a daring move and seized a hard-earned meal from two storks while they were catching food.
Lourens Venter, a 39-year-old reverend, witnessed this incredible sight and shared the story and footage with LatestSightings.com.
“Leaving the camp, I headed to the Shingwedzi bridge in search of excitement. Upon arriving, I carefully scanned the banks and the riverbed for signs of life. The ambience was serene – two magnificent saddle-billed storks were gracefully navigating through the water, accompanied by various other water birds.”
Saddle-billed storks are intelligent birds that employ a unique fishing technique. They patiently stand still in the water, resembling statues, and vigilantly observe fish swimming nearby. As soon as they spot a fish, they swiftly strike with their long beaks, resembling sharp spears, snatching the fish from the water with precision.
“Amidst this peaceful scene, one of the storks successfully caught a small fish. Displaying surprising precision, the stork washed and placed the fish on the sand. Captivated by the moment, I began capturing this rather extraordinary spectacle.
“Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered as a fish eagle swooped down from above. A fierce stare-down ensued, each bird attempting to appear more imposing than the other. They stood locked in eye contact! I instinctively switched to video mode to document this showdown. With its wings outstretched, the fish eagle took a few steps forward, attempting to intimidate the stork.”
“Tension filled the air as the eagle advanced and swiftly snatched the fish from the storks. One of the storks gave chase but was unsuccessful. The fish eagle paused for a moment before taking flight, soaring into the sky with its prized breakfast.”
Lourens advises those seeking similar encounters in South Africa to cultivate patience and avoid rushing to spot the Big Five. Every corner of the park holds wonders waiting to be discovered, particularly around waterholes.
This article originally appeared on LatestSightings.com. Read the full article here.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
