Martial Eagles are the largest eagles at Londolozi. Masters of the skies, these enormous birds are incredible hunters, able to take down prey as large as monkeys and impala lambs. Whether it be a leopard, lion, people or martial eagle however, experience is often the key factor in determining success. Hunting opportunities missed, mistakes made and even injuries picked up all play their part in shaping the future and indeed the future success of an individual.
Take a look at this amazing footage filmed by Londolozi guest Sheena Insull on her recent visit.
Out with ranger Byron Serrao and tracker Judas Ngomane, they were near Ximpalapala koppie when they noticed a young martial eagle perched in a nearby tree. The young bird had its eyes on a klipspringer, a dainty antelope that lives out its life on rocky slopes and outcrops.
The eagle must have been hungry, but it had clearly chosen a target that was too large.
Maybe an adult eagle would have had better luck, for the klipspringer remained unscathed, eventually chasing the young bird away to reconsider its options.
For now, it would probably better if the inexperienced martial stuck to smaller prey…
Written by James Tyrrell
Filmed by Sheena Insull (Londolozi Guest)
What an amazing sighting. Great video!
Sheena Insull…..a guest with patience to get outstanding video. Thanks for posting.
Thank you so much Sheena for the great footage! So glad we could share it!
Sheena,
I ditto – thank you for staying with the action. Amazing shots of two of my favorite animals – never seen them interacting! The “best defense is to keep your eye on the predator” certainly worked here. In fact this little ram went a bit further.
Thank you for your steady hand!
That is incredible….. So difficult to spot the Klipspringer on those hills on Marthly and so seldom see Martial Eagles …… what lucky guests !!
What an awesome thing to see!