Can Eagles Pick Up Dogs?

Birds of prey, such as eagles and red-tailed hawk, generally avoid fights with dogs. This is because dogs are known to fight back, which can lead to injury or death for the bird.

Eagles are capable of picking up small animals such as dogs in their talons, but it is rare for them to do so as eagles primarily feed on fish and other birds.

Dogs may be attacked by eagles, hawks, and falcons if they feel threatened or see the dog as a competitor. These predatory birds might also start attacking dogs for food.

Why Do Eagles Attack Dogs?

Eagles are almost exclusively fish eaters. But, they are not to be trifled with. With their powerful talons and sharp beaks, they are more than capable of taking down small animals.

In fact, eagles have been known to attack dogs on occasion even though they mainly eat fish. However, these instances are relatively rare. And eagles usually steer clear of dogs unless they feel threatened.

Eagles tend to hunt for prey that is small enough to be carried off easily, so a dog’s size usually deters them from attacking. In addition, dogs typically travel in groups, which can make them less vulnerable to predation.

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, eagles tend to leave dogs alone.

Predatory birds such as eagles, owls, falcons, and hawks are fiercely protective of their nests and can attack larger animals, even humans. They will do this if they are guarding their nest and young. An eagle may chase away dogs within 150 feet of their nest.

Can Bald Eagles Pick Up Small Dogs?

Of the North American eagles, the golden eagle is more likely than the bald eagle to prey upon a small dog. Golden eagles prefer to feed on small mammals like rabbits and prairie dogs, while Bald Eagles are more likely to scavenge or pirate food away from other birds.

The golden eagle usually kills its prey on the ground by swooping down from above and piercing its flesh with its sharp talons.

This often breaks the animal’s spine or causes it to bleed out, which makes sense given that an eagle wouldn’t want to risk injury to its wings by carrying around a struggling creature.

How Much Weight Can a Bald Eagle Carry?

Bald eagles are incredibly strong. An eagle’s talons are about six inches long, and they use them for hunting. They can typically carry around 3 to 4 pounds, which is about one-third of their own weight.

Most dogs and puppies don’t qualify. But they can carry up to 7 to 8 pounds or at least half of their own body weight if the conditions are ideal.

A bald eagle could theoretically lift a human child or a small dog into the air. A lot of stories used to go around about eagles carrying babies and little kids, but nothing like that ever happened.

Of course, eagles typically wouldn’t attempt to do this in the wild, but it’s still pretty impressive. Interestingly, other eagles such as the harpy eagle can carry up to 20 pounds of weight at once.

In addition to their incredible strength, bald eagles are also known for their sharp vision. They can spot a fish from up to half a mile away, and they have been known to dive at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour in order to catch their prey.

How Do Eagles Manage to Stay in the Air With Such a Heavy Load?

Most eagles have wing feathers that are specially adapted to help them glide and soar. The primary feathers on their wings are longer than the other feathers, and they have a special hook at the end that lets them lock together when extended.

This gives them extra lift and makes it easier for them to carry prey back to their nests. So, while they may not be able to carry off a full-grown deer-like some other raptors, there’s no doubt that most eagles are incredibly strong birds.

How to You Keep Your Small Dog Safe From Eagles?

There are a lot of things you can do to protect your dog from these apex predators. It’s good to know what these predators are like, their feeding habits, and whether they’re dangerous.

As formidable predators, hawks, eagles, owls, and other predatory birds are highly skilled at what they do. As a result, they are able to hunt a variety of different prey species over the years.

Even porcupines and other armored prey have been attacked by these birds of prey. These birds are clearly a threat to small dogs. A large dog may look intimidating. A little dog and other small breeds on the other hand might be considered prey.

As a result, you should be on the lookout for ways to discourage them from hanging out around your property and home.

The pets most at risk from hungry birds of prey are small animals that spend time outdoors unsupervised. An eagle or large bird of prey may carry off a small animal such as a 2-pound Yorkie puppy but it is unlikely that a larger animal such as a Labrador Retriever would be light enough for most birds to lift.

Here are a few ways to prevent your smaller dog from being attacked by an eagle:

Clean Up Your Home and Property

Mice, rats, frogs, and snakes can hide in yard trash. An owl, hawk, and eagle eat these animals. So, do everything you can to keep your yard clean.

This is also a good rule to follow if you want to keep coyotes out of your yard since they are also drawn to rodents and may come into your yard if they are there.

This will hopefully cut down on the number of rodents in your area, making your property less appealing to eagles and other large birds.

Set Up a Pest-Control Program

If tidying your yard doesn’t have the desired effect, you may need to take further steps to reduce the rodent population.

In many cases, you can keep rodent populations in check, even if you can’t completely eliminate all rodents. If you hire a pest control service, make sure that the traps they use are pet-friendly.

Cut Tree Branches to Keep Them Looking Tidy 

Eagles and hawks use trees not only as nests but as hunting outposts as well. It is common for them to sit or perch on branches for extended periods of time, scanning the ground below for easy prey.

Hire a tree service to prune your trees and remove the branches that make good perches. Ideally, this should be done before nesting season.

Remove Your Bird Feeders

Birds feeders do not only attract songbirds and other small birds, but squirrels, chipmunks, and rats as well. In an area with all of these critters, eagles, hawks and owls are sure to notice and begin patrolling.

If you are worried about your dog being attacked by eagles and hawks or other birds, you may need to remove these feeders.

What to Do When an Eagle Attacks Your Dog

If you implement some of the tips and tricks discussed above, you may be keep your dog safe from these birds. There is no one way to prevent these birds from catching your dog, so it is crucial to be prepared if your dog is attacked.

An eagle attack cannot be prevented or ended, so your best option is to frighten the offending bird away. The eagle needs to be convinced that your dog isn’t worth the risk and that there is other prey out there.

Eagles are usually kept at bay by your presence in many cases. The size of an adult human is too large to be eaten by an eagle, and people can be dangerous. This is why you should always accompany small dogs outdoors.

Additionally, you should bring a leash and a collar if you’re walking in a wide-open field or when you’re out in nature frequented by predatory birds.

Even though it’s unlikely and rare for these birds to attempt to snatch or swoop your dog or cat, you carry your pet right away.

It may be necessary to scare the eagle away if your presence does not deter it. Otherwise, she may get a hold of your pet or fly off with him.

In the unlikely event that the eagle carrying your pet ultimately decides that your dog is not worth the effort, she may drop him mid-flight, which will almost certainly result in severe injuries.

Usually, if you run toward the eagle and scream like a banshee it will fly away. Make yourself as big and frightening as you can.

You should do everything you can to prevent eagle attacks from ever happening. However, if you act quickly and cause a great deal of noise, you may be able to scare the bird away.

Laws That Protect Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles

If you try to fight back at an eagle that is attacking you, you may get into legal trouble. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects many bird species including birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, and owls. 

This means simply can’t kill or harm them just because your pet is in danger.

Bald Eagles were removed from the endangered and threatened species list by the USFWS in 2007. Even though the Bald Eagle is no longer protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act still apply.

In addition to federal protection, many species of birds also receive local or state protection. It is therefore imperative that you familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations in your area before installing eagle-deterrents on your land or undertaking any other action.

You can always talk to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Takeaway on Can An Eagle Pick Up A Dog

Eagles are majestic creatures, but they can also be unpredictable. It’s important to keep an eye on your pet dog when you’re outdoors, especially if there is an eagle in the area.