WATCH out, Rudolph! Golden eagles in Norway regularly prey on reindeer calves and in early winter can even kill adults, according to field observations by Olav Strand at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research in Trondheim.
With a wingspan of around 2 metres, the eagles land on the reindeer’s back and sink in their talons, puncturing large blood vessels under the spine. They then wait for the deer to die from blood loss.
Golden eagles live across the northern hemisphere. Their prey includes hares, rabbits, grouse and ground squirrels, but they have also been seen hunting large mammals such as wolves, sheep and saiga antelope. When diving for prey, they can reach speeds of 240 kilometres per hour.
The eagles usually hunt calves in spring, when female reindeer generally give birth within a two-week period. “During that period eagles can be very active. In the calving area you see them operating more or less every day,” says Strand.
There have only been occasional sightings of eagles attacking mature animals. Strand suspects this is more likely to happen in early winter, after bad weather that prevents eagles from catching their usual prey. He has witnessed eagles killing adult deer weighing as much as 60 kilograms.
(Image: Dylan Becksholt/Alamy)
This article appeared in print under the headline “Christmas: when eagles make mincemeat of reindeer”