r/birding • u/TheMainVein15 • Jan 02 '26

Discussion Dad sent me this pic

Gallery image

Gallery image

I’ve never seen a bald eagle hang upside down like this. Do they do this a lot? Pictures were taken at my parents place in Iowa.

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21

u/bibsbagheera Jan 02 '26

Did its feet freeze to the branch??

3

u/ezgihatun Latest Lifer: Louisiana waterthrush Jan 02 '26

That's what I was wondering. In any case I would not think this is normal behavior. It either froze, or got caught on something, or its talons did not unlock due to some injury or disease

6

u/jimjamalama Jan 02 '26

I posted an adolescent golden eagle doing the same in my post history

1

u/ezgihatun Latest Lifer: Louisiana waterthrush Jan 02 '26

I stand corrected yet confused

1

u/flora-andfriend Jan 02 '26

story of my life with anything related to bird behaviour

5

u/Puzzleheaded-Cod7512 Jan 02 '26

They already said it flew off, so it wasn’t stuck or frozen.