H3_W1_005

Date: 2022

Location: Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya

Did you know?

The Tawny Eagle is a large bird of prey that is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN list of Threatened species. More routinely than almost any other raptor, perhaps, it is a very skilled pirate, regularly engaging in kleptoparasitism (stealing food from others). The Black-Backed Jackal is a medium-sized canine native to eastern and southern Africa.

About the picture

We were in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya when we saw this Tawny Eagle repeatedly attempt an air strike on a Black-Backed Jackal. The Jackal could be seen eating something and it was obvious that the Tawny Eagle was trying to steal it. However, the Jackal stood his ground and even leaped up to face the intruder. I clicked this pic right as the Jackal leaped up onto his hind legs in an impressive show of courage. This day, the Jackal won and the eagle flew away to try its luck elsewhere.

Fun Fact

The Afrikaans name for the Tawny Eagle is ‘Roofarend’, meaning the ‘Robber Eagle’.