The trio of wedge-tailed eagles were intent on one lone kangaroo, and they persisted despite the kangaroo’s valiant attempts to defend itself. After a shocking incident, the kangaroo was eventually freed. To get a better understanding of these birds, let us take a closer look at the wedge-tailed eagle.
The wedge-tailed eagle is a bird of prey and is one of the ten biggest in the world, measuring up to seven and five feet in length. As the name suggests, it has a long wedge-shaped tail and its feathers reach all the way to its feet. The feathers are mid-brown in young birds and darken to a blackish-brown in adulthood. Both the wings and the head have a reddish-brown tinge. The wings, body and tail take on a light white or creamy color, while the eyes are dark brown and the feet are white.
These eagles have a strong predatory nature and hunt kangaroos either individually or in pairs or threes. They are powerful enough to capture and take off with prey that is less than half their own body weight. In certain circumstances, they may join up with other birds to hunt larger prey, but it may be that in this particular instance the kangaroo was simply too large for them to overcome. Aside from mammals, wedge-tailed eagles also feed on carrion, small birds, lizards, and even lambs from farms in the area, making them unpopular among many farmers.
If this tale of intensity and endurance has intrigued you, be sure to check out the video footage of this event in its entirety. Fascinating and shocking in equal measure, it is an experience that should not be missed.
