An Eagle Vs. A Red-winged Blackbird

At all my visits to Blackwater NWR, there are several specific trees that I always check for a perched Eagle, including one tree that is directly in front of you on the wildlife drive before it curves to the right. I’ve been lucky to sight an Eagle there several times before, including a post that I shared of some of my best captures of this gorgeous bird last year HERE.

During our last visit, coming down that stretch of the wildlife drive, there he/she was, just as I had hoped. Stopping back a ways so I could hopefully exit our car without disturbing the Eagle and be able to move around, I took my first shot. Oh boy, he was watching me. I thought, oh no, he’s going to fly, and I wanted to get closer!

Bald Eagle

Wow, no flight. And the Eagle didn’t seem to even care about me as he looked off to the distance. So I slowly walked a little further down the wildlife drive and took several more shots.

Bald Eagle

I was in awe of his beauty. Again, I moved closer still and was starting to move a few more steps, when suddenly a Red-winged Blackbird came out of nowhere and started to harass the Eagle.

The Eagle took flight to avoid the nuisance.

Red-winged Blackbird attacking a Bald Eagle.

Red-winged Blackbird chasing a Bald Eagle.

The Red-winged Blackbird stayed right behind him, not giving up.

Red-winged Blackbird chasing a Bald Eagle.

Moving quicker, the Red-winged Blackbird caught up to the Bald Eagle for another hit.

Red-winged Blackbird attacks the Eagle again.

That last attack put the Eagle on notice to pick up speed.

Bald Eagle moving quickly to get away from the attacking Red-winged Blackbird.

The Red-winged Blackbird stopped his pursuit and turned back while the Eagle kept on the move.

Bald Eagle leaving the area.

Most likely, the Red-winged Blackbird had a nest very close by and considered the Eagle in his territory. He was back to his own perch, looking pleased with his accomplishment.

Red-winged Blackbird (male)

As in this instance, sometimes the underdog wins. 🙂

Tags: attack, bald eagle, behavior, bird, birding, birdwatching, Blackwater, Cambridge, Chesapeake Bay, eagle, Eastern Shore, flight, image, images, Maryland, nature, NWR, photo, photograph, photographs, photography, photos, red-winged blackbird, territory, wildlife, wings

63 thoughts on “An Eagle Vs. A Red-winged Blackbird”

Sharon Mann on 07/02/2018 at 1:16 PM said:

What a wonderful moment in nature, I’m happy you were there to document this event. In my neighborhood, I only see the Mockingbirds chasing the Crows, haha.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 1:45 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Sharon! It was quite an event. Oh boy, those Mockingbirds are great chasers too! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
1nmbirder on 07/02/2018 at 1:19 PM said:

Its amazing how brave small birds can be when defending a nest site. Great pics!!!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 3:23 PM said:
  
  Thanks Kelly, it is amazing!
  
  Reply ↓
Tuxedo Sophisticated Cat on 07/02/2018 at 1:20 PM said:

I’ve seen that happen here a few times. Those very brave blackbirds taking on an eagle. 🙂

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 3:24 PM said:
  
  I have to admit I kinda rooted for the RWB, after seeing an Eagle attack Bella & Beau’s nest. 😉
  
  Reply ↓
John on 07/02/2018 at 1:30 PM said:

Beautiful bird! It’s mighty gutsy of the little black bird to go after a much larger bird!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 3:26 PM said:
  
  Thanks John! Gutsy for sure! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
David on 07/02/2018 at 1:37 PM said:

Great series of shots.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 3:26 PM said:
  
  Thank you David!
  
  Reply ↓
quietsolopursuits on 07/02/2018 at 1:58 PM said:

That’s a great series of images of the red-winged blackbird harassing the eagle! The blackbirds know no fear when it comes to protecting their young.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 4:08 PM said:
  
  Thanks Jerry! I’ve seen this scenario many times too. Being around the boat docks, we have a lot of Barn Swallows. I’ve seen them chase just about anything, including Osprey Beau!
  
  Reply ↓
Anonymous on 07/02/2018 at 2:55 PM said:

Great shots, Donna! I have seen and photographed a red winged blackbird attacking a great egret at Blackwater NWR, and have seen other photos of the same thing on the FB page MDBirding, so there is definitely something about being too close to a nesting area that causes ‘no fear’ in these smaller birds going after a larger one. Thanks for sharing!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 4:15 PM said:
  
  Thank you! I think many small birds have ‘no fear’ when protecting their nests. Have you seen how the Barn Swallows are around the boat docks with no fear? They’ll chase everything too. I had several of them chasing Beau when he kind of swooped down and then up to go in to flight from the nest. I think they surprised him too! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
neihtn2012 on 07/02/2018 at 2:59 PM said:

Awesome captures of this face-off between the two birds! Your photos are just exquisite!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 4:16 PM said:
  
  Thank you very much, Hien, it’s nice to watch the little guy win sometimes! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
H.J. for avian101 on 07/02/2018 at 3:14 PM said:

Two birds I’ve seen attack raptors, they are RWBlackbird and the Northern Mockingbird. For some reason the get away with this action. By my own observations, birds have eyes in both sides of the head and they see perfectly with one eye but if they want to figure out the distance between they and a subject they see like we do, 3D to get focus differential and calculate distances. Your photos are very well executed! Thank you Donna! 🙂

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 4:11 PM said:
  
  Thank you HJ for your added comments! Would you believe I’ve seen Barn Swallows chase my Osprey, Beau?!!! I thought that was crazy! We have a lot of Barn Swallows around the boat docks and they as a group will chase anything that comes near the docks. Beau just kept on flying, trying to get away from them. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
blhphotoblog on 07/02/2018 at 3:27 PM said:

Brilliant what a superb capture!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 4:16 PM said:
  
  Thank you Brian!
  
  Reply ↓
circadianreflections on 07/02/2018 at 3:32 PM said:

It always cracks me up when the little birds harass the raptors.

This is a wonderful series Donna!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 4:17 PM said:
  
  Thank you Deborah! I enjoyed it too, knowing the RWB was really safe in his harassing because the Eagle doesn’t want to waste his time and energy on such a nuisance. 😉
  
  Reply ↓
Alix on 07/02/2018 at 5:33 PM said:

Some birds don’t care how big you are and if you are too close to their nest, they will attack humans also for safeguard. Nice outstretched wings.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 6:45 PM said:
  
  You got that right, Alix! I’m waiting for Bella or Beau to attack one of the kayakers that often pass below them.
  
  Reply ↓
Shannon on 07/02/2018 at 6:45 PM said:

Superb timing!!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 6:58 PM said:
  
  I’ll say!! Thanks Shannon! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
belindagroverphotography on 07/02/2018 at 6:47 PM said:

That must have been something to witness, captured so well in your photos!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 7:02 PM said:
  
  Thanks, don’t you love when you see something extraordinary evolve when unexpected! And then it is always awesome when you get the shots! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography on 07/02/2018 at 6:47 PM said:

Red-wings win most encounters. Just shot the same thing with an Osprey, and have captured one riding a Great Blue 😂. Feisty little guys ! Nice series.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/02/2018 at 7:23 PM said:
  
  Yes they do, and I do love their fiestyness! The GBH shot must be awesome! Thanks Ted!
  
  Reply ↓
Chris Riley on 07/02/2018 at 7:37 PM said:

Little bird syndrome…

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/03/2018 at 8:56 AM said:
  
  😂
  
  Reply ↓
Ellen Jennings on 07/02/2018 at 8:02 PM said:

Fabulous captures of this drama, Donna!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/03/2018 at 8:57 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Ellen!
  
  Reply ↓
Scott on 07/02/2018 at 8:16 PM said:

Love these close-up shots! I just witnessed a RWB splitting up a pair of eagles over the Heinz NWR up here near Philly. But I didn’t have a spectacular view like this!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/03/2018 at 9:05 AM said:
  
  Thanks Scott! Now that was one fiesty RWB! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
montucky on 07/02/2018 at 9:29 PM said:

You arrived there at the perfect time to get some terrific photos!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/03/2018 at 9:09 AM said:
  
  I love that right time right place scenario! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Bespoke Traveler on 07/02/2018 at 11:38 PM said:

What a brilliant little story you’ve discovered in the air.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/03/2018 at 9:10 AM said:
  
  Thank you!
  
  Reply ↓
Gunta on 07/03/2018 at 1:58 AM said:

You do get some of the most amazing catches! A matter of not just luck, but knowing what you’re doing, being prepared and just a tiny bit of luck. 😀 These are some very amazing action shots! Thanks for sharing.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/03/2018 at 9:13 AM said:
  
  Luck is ALWAYS part of it, that right place right time scenario! 😀 I love the challenge of capturing behavior more than profiles of birds. Maybe you have noticed that?!! 😉 Thank you, Gunta!!
  
  Reply ↓
kathydoremus on 07/03/2018 at 7:02 AM said:

Those are an incredible sequence of shots…a regular David vs Goliath encounter!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/03/2018 at 9:14 AM said:
  
  Thank you Kathy! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Nick Hunter on 07/03/2018 at 8:04 PM said:

Stunning series and a good story to boot! Your settings and timing appear to be dead-on. Congrats.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/04/2018 at 10:35 AM said:
  
  Thanks Nick, I tried capturing this scenario many times before, so I’m super happy with these! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Jane's Heartsong on 07/03/2018 at 10:51 PM said:

That does not surprise me, have seen a red-winged black bird attack a crow in the same way, but still, an eagle! That takes courage!!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/04/2018 at 10:37 AM said:
  
  The little birds do show great courage, don’t they! When defending their territory, they show no fear no matter the bird size. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
tanjabrittonwriter on 07/04/2018 at 3:09 PM said:

I am always amazed at how many little birds attack larger birds. One swipe with the talons and that RWBB would be history.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/06/2018 at 8:29 AM said:
  
  It is amazing. The little bird chasing the big bird scenarios remind me of seeing a little dog growling at the big dog.
  
  Reply ↓
  - tanjabrittonwriter on 07/06/2018 at 2:37 PM said:
    
    Yes, they seem oblivious to the size discrepancy. 🙂
    
    Reply ↓
aussiebirder on 07/05/2018 at 7:48 PM said:

Great action captures Donna! It is amazing how the small aggressive 🦅 can move along such large birds that would normally eat them. Have a wonderful weekend Donna 😊

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/06/2018 at 8:46 AM said:
  
  Thank you Ashley! You can almost hear the Eagle saying, “Oh geez, just leave me alone you pesky little thing…..” I guess they don’t care to waste their energy on the little guys. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
A Curious Introvert on 07/08/2018 at 7:02 PM said:

Fabulous photos!🙂

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/08/2018 at 7:27 PM said:
  
  Thank you, CI! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Rolling Harbour on 07/10/2018 at 12:15 PM said:

Wonderfully photographed (as everyone has already said) – an amazing confrontation!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/11/2018 at 11:28 AM said:
  
  Thank you very much, RH!
  
  Reply ↓
Reed Andariese on 07/11/2018 at 9:05 PM said:

Very nice Donna! I know exactly the tree you mentioned. And quite often there is an Eagle or two there. Sometimes they stay there. But one of my favorite trees or a tall Snag was around that corner and down a little before it bends again. Often there were 2 Eagles there. Taking turns going after the Red-winged Blackbirds or whatever else they could find. But they either took it down or it fell down.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/12/2018 at 6:01 AM said:
  
  Thank you Reed! I think I know what tree you’re talking about, it was on the right in the middle of the field? If that one, it is gone. 😦 Big disappointment for all visitors! It was there for so long, I think it probably finally fell and was removed.
  
  Reply ↓
RV John on 07/13/2018 at 1:35 PM said:

Great behavior shots, the smaller birds are surprisingly brave at times!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/15/2018 at 6:32 AM said:
  
  Thanks John, sometimes they are! 😉
  
  Reply ↓
Tiny on 07/13/2018 at 3:51 PM said:

Amazing captures, Donna! I have seen the RWBBs do the same with the ospreys.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 07/15/2018 at 6:33 AM said:
  
  Thank you Helen!
  
  Reply ↓