Stunning Footage Shows Bird Of Prey Flying Over Beach Carrying Massive Fish In Its Talons

Jul 10, 2020

Birds of prey are fascinating to watch. In Latin, they are identified as 'raptors.' These birds have very sharp eyesight. This allows them to spot their prey from a long distance. They are also equipped with strong and sharp claws.

Onlookers at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina were treated to a rare sight. A massive bird of prey was seen flying over the beach, carrying a huge fish in its claws.

Birds of prey can scoop victims as they swoop on them. They like flying very high in the sky. Once they have locked on their target, they will fly at top speed. Fish are among the delicacies on the menu for birds of prey. These birds use performances like surface diving, surface skimming, and plunge-diving to catch fish. Sometimes, they will steal fish from each other.

Ashley White, a native of Tennessee, was able to capture the footage, reports CBS. This was from the 17th floor of her rented balcony. Ashley was on holiday in South Carolina. In the video, the fish was seen still writhing in the bird’s talons. The fish attempted to free itself, but the effort bore no fruits. After the video was uploaded to a Twitter account, an intense debate ensued. The chat was about which kind of bird could pick a shark out of the ocean.

Some people had a strong belief that the bird was an osprey. These birds are also known as seahawks or fish hawks. But others strongly suggested that the bird could be an eagle, if not a condor. Other debaters made jokes that it could be a pterodactyl. They noted this because the bird exhibited massive possession of strength. Most people suggested it was an osprey because of the bird's power to lift the shark from the water.

Ospreys are known to be powerful and lethal killers. Moments later, another intense argument erupted. The focus shifted from what kind of bird it was, to the exact type of fish the huge bird captured. Suggestions were bluefish, tuna, and ladyfish. Fox News suggested it was a ladyfish, although some people were not convinced.

A fully grown ladyfish can measure up to three feet in length. Some people suggested that the fish captured on the video was a shark. This is because of the shape of the tail. Others suggested it was a mackerel and not a shark or ladyfish.

One individual excellently suggested that the bird and fish were a crime-fighting duo. The chief meteorologist at WPDE, Ed Piotrowski, also posted the clip on his Facebook page. He noted that according to his research, the bird was an osprey. He also believed the bird could have captured a large Spanish mackerel. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, ospreys are common in the area and feed on fish.

Apparently, they are the only living representative from the family of Pandionidae and the remaining genus Pandion. They are specialized in aquatic life. Their diet constitutes entirely of fish. But, in rare cases, they hunt other birds, snakes, and rodents. This is the case when it is necessary. After catching a fish, the osprey usually flies with it in the sky, holding it headfirst.

In the 1950s and the 1970s, the osprey's population drastically declined. This was because of chemical pollutants such as pesticides. Pesticides impaired their breeding by thinning the osprey eggshells. But since then, efforts to increase their population have seen significant improvements. However, it requires collective efforts to see more success. It calls for everyone to care and be responsible for the environment. ​​​​​The lives of these beautiful creatures depend on us.

What did you think of this incredible footage? Have you ever seen anything like it? Let us know your thoughts below.