When I took responsibility for Sam the Golden Eagle, I made a promise to myself that I would never take him out of his mews unless I was fully focused. Everything has to be just right, and this is the reason why.
The size and strength of a Golden Eagle’s talons are truly incredible.
Last year, Sam was usually calm and well-behaved when he was on the glove or outside getting fresh air, but the moment food was nearby, he became a completely different bird.
He would mantle and spread his wings, stand tall, and try to make himself look as large as possible. If that didn’t make me back off, he would strike forward with his talons.
Even after all the food was gone, he would sometimes run toward me looking for more.
If I wasn’t fully focused, I have no doubt I would have been seriously hurt.
Now, after a lot of work, we seem to have reached a turning point with his aggression, and we understand each other much better.
After a wet and muddy training session, I decided to clean him up and give him a handshake, and I thought it was the perfect moment to take a picture showing the size comparison.
It’s evolution at its finest.
All credit goes to the original owner.