The eagle lurked and stole the fish from the cranes.

In South Africa, a fish eagle swoops down along the riverbank while a pair of saddle-billed storks are fishing, then seizes the opportunity to snatch its prey and fly away.

An eagle stalks and steals fish from a pair of cranes. — A fish eagle steals prey from a pair of saddle-billed storks. Video : *Latest Sightings*

Visitors to Lourens Venter witnessed a struggle for prey between an African fish eagle and a pair of saddle-billed storks in Kruger National Park, Latest Sightings reported on August 25. "I left the camp and went to Shingwedzi Bridge looking for something interesting. When I arrived, I observed the banks and the riverbed for signs of life. A peaceful scene greeted me: Two beautiful saddle-billed storks were moving gracefully along the riverbank with many other waterbirds," he recounted.

The saddle-billed stork ( Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis ) is a large bird that can reach a height of 150 cm. Besides its main prey such as fish, frogs, and crabs, it also eats small birds and reptiles.

The saddle-billed stork is an intelligent bird that catches fish in a unique way. They stand motionless in the water like statues, intently watching the fish swim by. When they spot a fish, they attack swiftly with their long beaks. Their beaks, like sharp spears, quickly seize the prey and pull it out of the water.

"Amidst this peaceful setting, a stork caught a small fish as bait. With incredible precision, the stork cleaned the fish and placed it on the shore," Lourens said. He was immediately captivated and began documenting the unique scene.

The peace was suddenly shattered when a fish eagle swooped down from above, Lourens said. With its wings spread wide, the fish eagle took a few steps forward, attempting to intimidate the cranes. The predator took a few more steps, then, with swift movements, used its talons to snatch the fish. One crane chased after it but was unsuccessful. The fish eagle paused for a second before taking flight, soaring into the sky with its prized breakfast.

The African fish eagle ( Haliaeetus vocifer ) is a species of bird belonging to the family Accipitriformes. This species inhabits sub-Saharan Africa, where there are large bodies of water teeming with fish. They bear a striking resemblance to the bald eagle. Adult eagles are 63-75 cm long with a wingspan of approximately 2 m. Their feet have thick soles and strong talons, allowing them to firmly grasp prey, particularly slippery-skinned fish. While primarily fish-eating, these eagles are also opportunistic and may prey on a variety of other animals.

Thu Thao (According to Latest Sightings )

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