Crow Takes Mid-Flight Rest on Bald Eagle’s Back in Rare Encounter

A recent encounter between a bald eagle and a crow in Seabeck, Washington, has taken the internet by storm. Amateur photographer Phoo Chan was out early one morning, photographing a bald eagle hunting for its breakfast when a cheeky crow caught his eye. The crow, looking for a chance to rest, landed on the back of the much larger bird of prey while it was in flight.

Initially, Chan thought the crow was going to chase away the eagle, as he had seen crows harassing hawks in the past. However, he was stunned when the crow actually landed on the eagle’s back, taking a short break and a free ride in the process. The bald eagle, surprisingly, didn’t seem to mind and continued flying as if nothing had happened.

Chan’s stunning photos of the event have been making waves online, with other photographers expressing their envy. The amazing sequence of photos is a testament to being in the right place at the right time, capturing a truly unique moment in the animal kingdom.

Bald eagles are opportunistic feeders found in North America, usually near large areas of open water. They swoop down to grab their prey in their talons. There is no real difference in the plumage between male and female bald eagles – their heads and tails are white, and their bodies are brown. Females, however, are 25% larger than males.

While it’s not common to see a crow hitching a ride on a bald eagle, these kinds of chance encounters happen all the time in nature. As we continue to learn more about the animals around us, we can appreciate the unique relationships and interactions they have with each other. Moments like these remind us of the beauty and wonder of the natural world and the need to protect it for future generations.