Bald eagles are incredibly strong birds and highly skilled flyers. They are often accused of picking up cats and dogs before swooping off with them, but is it true? An eagle would struggle to pick up and fly away with a cat, but they may attack small cats and kittens.
Eagles primarily feed on fish, and experts estimate they can carry fish weighing approximately 4-5 pounds. An average domesticated cat weighs between 8 and 10 pounds, which puts them way beyond the carrying capacity of an eagle. In fact, by the time a kitten reaches approximately 4 months old, they will weigh about 4 or 5 pounds, so by the time your kitten leaves the house, they are likely to be too big for an eagle to carry off.
If you are concerned, you can keep your cat indoors, where it is safe from any natural predators, and you can take steps to try and scare away eagles and other birds of prey.
About the Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is a formidable bird. An adult has a wing of approximately 7 feet and can weigh up to 14 pounds. The bird can fly at speeds of nearly 100 mph when diving, and its size and white head and tail make it difficult to miss when swooping down.
You are more likely to see a bald eagle swoop around water because its preferred food is fish. They also eat geese, gulls, and other smaller birds. Very rarely, they dine on rabbits and small mammals, and more rarely, if at all, they may pick up and fly away with a kitten.
Because of an adult cat’s weight, an eagle will not be able to pick it up and fly away. Most experts agree that the maximum amount of weight that even the strongest bald eagle could lift would be 4 to 5 pounds. An average adult cat weighs twice this, while some giant breeds can weigh three times as much.
How to Protect Your Cat From Eagles
There are some anecdotal reports of eagles attempting to attack small cats. If you are concerned about this happening, there are some ways that you can protect your cat. The simplest method is to keep your cat indoors. Eagles are daily, which means they hunt during the day, so keeping your cat in at night will not keep them free from this winged threat.
Consider installing a pen or exercise run. They prevent your cat from getting out and predators from getting in while still providing outdoor space. They can be installed in your yard and connected to your home using a standard cat door so that your feline can get in and out whenever they want.
Other Pets at Risk
Rabbits can be at risk of eagle attacks. Wild rabbits are considered tricky prey for an eagle but occasionally get taken. So, if you do have domestic rabbits, ensure they are kept in a hutch or cage at night to prevent them from being picked up and carried away.
Summary
The bald eagle is a formidable bird capable of flying at great speeds. It has excellent eyesight and is strong enough to carry 4 or 5 pounds. However, the bird usually eats fish and will very rarely eat anything larger than a rodent or, very occasionally, a small rabbit. Cats, especially adult cats, are considered too large to be under threat from eagles, except in very rare circumstances.
Related Reads:
- Do Bears Attack and Eat Cats?
- Do Snakes Attack and Eat Cats?
- How To Protect Your Cat from Coyotes
Featured Image Credit: MICHOFF from Pixabay
