Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 1 9 14 Taking it from the top, outsized eyes allow an eagle to see prey before the prey sees it. eir big eyes approach the size of a human's, and coupled with the tubular shape of the eyes, they create a larger image on the retina. With more densely packed sensors as well, the retina produces a finely-grained view roughly eight powers better than our own. Eagle eyes can also detect motion better, and their enhanced color perception helps decode camouflage. e hefty feet carry the actual weaponry, the giant, sharp, curved talons, ready to secure the prey and pierce its vital areas. ey team up with a notable grip that's an estimated ten times stronger than a hu- man's in pounds per square inch. is critter means business. A final tool sits on the middle of the eagle's face, the huge, hooked bill that allows the bird to cut into even the most toughly-packaged meal. Together with the ridge over the eyes that seems to give both Mon- tana's eagles a permanent scowl, it would be tough to pass off these birds off as gentle. But enough of the similarities, bald and golden eagles have differ- ences, too. ey show up on the menu. Out of all the foods the bald eagle eats, the fish rate highest. at's why baldies live in habitats near water, and why the soles of their feet have tiny scales that help it keep its grip on a slippery fish. Bald eagles hunt by winging over the water's surface, spotting a fish, and yanking it from the top eight inches. Using its exceptional powers of flight, it hoists this load on the go, and flies to land to dine. If the fish is a bit too heavy for this approach, the eagle may occasion- ally hold it tight, drop into the water, and row itself to land, looking thoroughly sodden and undignified in the process. Birds rank second on the bald eagle's preferred menu. ese would mostly be middling-sized birds such as waterfowl, grebes, coots, and so on. People who visit the snow goose migration at Freezeout Lake have likely noticed a few bald eagles on the ice, chowing down on a large meal of snow goose. Odds are, the bald eagle with the goose will also be fighting off other baldies, pirates looking for easy grub. Baldie defends fish catch against crows. A juvenile bald eagle Landing in nest with eaglets Golden eagle tag and release www.distinctlymontana.com/eagle194 DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL

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