Wedge-Tail Eagle takes out Drone
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325276)
Rockingham, Australia
May 24, 2016 12:34am CST
Vince has just shown me a video clip of a wedge-tail eagle taking out a drone. If you search for 'wedgetail eagle takes out drone' the clip will come up. It is incredible to see the eagle coming in with its talons out. They have amazing eyesight.
It is Australia's largest bird of prey with a wedge-shaped tail – as you might expect – and fully feathered legs. It is also the emblem for the Northern Territory. The taxonomic name is Aquila audax. There are twelve species of 'booted' eagles in the genus Aquila. Most are dark-coloured.
The wedge-tail is brown and can have a wingspan of 2.84cm (9 ft 4 in). The legs are relatively long but for its size it is not as heavy as some species.
There is a pair which regularly circle our valley and we know they have taken young joeys from time to time. I hope you have the time to watch the video. The photo is from Wikimedia and was taken by Lip Kee from Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
22 people like this
21 responses
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
24 May 16
@ElizabethWallace The Mumbai idea was preposterous - they have such fear of terrorism that nobody would accept them - plus they have ridiculous addresses like 'opposite Regal cinema' and no post codes.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 May 16
@boiboing UPS can find anyone, so I guess Amazon should follow their lead.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 May 16
Delivering packages by drone is an idiotic idea. Just think about all the drones and packages falling on our heads if/when something goes wrong.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325276)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 May 16
@EddieHands That is a great idea. Get rid of all the drones! :)
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
24 May 16
good to see nature shares my aversion for drones - hope the birds take down more of them
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
25 May 16
@JudyEv It's the eagles that take down the army of Sauron at the end of The Lord Of The Rings - drones don't stand a chance lol
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
24 May 16
score one fer the critters! i wish we'd eagles 'round these parts, but the hawks do a fine job'f patrolin'. love watchin' 'em with their young :) not so happy with 'em when they pick'p one'f the cats.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
25 May 16
@JudyEv yes ma'am, i've no doubt they could. the hawks'n e'en the owls here'll do such.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325276)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 May 16
@Inlemay Would you believe as I finished answering comments here Vince came rushing in for the camera as smaller birds were chasing one of our eagles. I got a photo of it but it isn't the best. I might as well add it here as it doesn't really warrant its own post.
2 people like this
@jrlcentral (2601)
• Roxas, Philippines
25 May 16
I'll check that out. Thanks for sharing
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
24 May 16
So beautiful and powerful. It is so amazing because you have a lot of eagles in your country which goes to show that they are protected enough.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325276)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 May 16
They are often blamed for killing young lambs but there is no hard evidence of this. They are protected now.
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
24 May 16
I'm reading all of the anti-drone comments. I'm not pro or anti, but other than the military and local TV news, specifically traffic and weather, I really don't see the need.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325276)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 May 16
I think they are intrusive too. I am hoping one day they might be banned but I don't suppose that will happen.
@JudyEv (325276)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 May 16
It's great isn't it? I don't know too many people who are enamoured with drones.
@JudyEv (325276)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 May 16
Pretty cool isn't it? He wasn't giving any warnings.
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
24 May 16
there is also one floating around where a drone is snooping around a ren fest and a viking takes one down with a well thrown spear, lol
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 May 16
Drones are dangerous, since their blades can cut into a person or animal. It is scary, and I worry about injury to wildlife.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325276)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 May 16
I wondered about that too but there didn't seem to be any blood anywhere.
