Expert: Roger Lederer - 7/16/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hiya, I was just wondering what eagle takes the biggest prey, I know the golden eagle can take fully grown deer is this the biggest prey taken by and eagle.
Thanks a lot. :)

ANSWER: The Golden Eagle cannot take fully grown deer - that's WAY too big. If you are referring to only the Golden and Bald Eagles, the only ones in North America, a Golden Eagle might be able to fly away with 6-8 pounds - a large rabbit or a small newborn sheep.

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QUESTION: hiya I meant all eagles also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adfk_RSndb4 this video shows a golden eagle taking a deer by the way I will just add I in no way agree with hunting like this its just for demonsration purposes :)
Thanks Callum

Answer
Thanks for the video, but the deer is obviously a fawn, not a full grown deer (at least not the American White-tailed deer. I can't tell you about all eagles as there are hundreds of species but 6-8 pounds is still probably the biggest they can catch and fly away with, although, as your video shows, they can kill something larger, but not fly with it.