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5 Birds That Could Steal Your Toddler

the daily dish More on PawNation: Birds, Eagles, Safety, Scary, Weird

By Sara Tan Dec 20, 2012

  • MrNuclearCat/youtube
    1 of 6

    Yesterday, we posted a video that went viral of a toddler being plucked up by a Golden Eagle. Although the video was supposedly fake and created by a group of college students, the idea of a child being plucked from his or her parents' arms by a flying predator may not be too far-fetched.

    MNN has compiled a list of five formidable birds that are capable of snatching a baby. Take caution in parks and outdoor recreational areas if these birds are known to reside in your state.

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  • Alamy
    2 of 6

    1. GOLDEN EAGLE

    This bird of prey is the most common national animal in the world. But the symbolic feathered friend may now have a new reputation as a terrifying threat. The golden eagle can reach 33 inches in length, 14 pounds in weight and could grow a wingspan of 78 inches. While they have never actually killed anyone, the broad-winged bird has been known to attack adult humans. 

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  • gwegnerde/flickr
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    2. MARTIAL EAGLE

    When traveling in sub-Saharan Africa, beware of the martial eagles that may be flying above. Africa's largest eagle can weigh up to 14 pounds and grow to be 38 inches in length. Their wingspan can reach up to 8'6". It is also the fifth heaviest eagle in the entire world. It has been said that the martial eagle's talons could break a man's arm in one snap, but of course, this has never actually been reported.

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  • Riesenseeadler/flickr/Wikimedia
    4 of 6

    3. STELLAR'S SEA EAGLE

    This species of eagle lives in coastal northeastern Asia and primarily feasts on fish. Still, it is capable of attacking much larger creatures, such as juvenile seals. The eagle can weigh up to 20 pounds and can grow a wingspan of 8.2 feet. 

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    4. HARPY EAGLE

    The harpy eagle is the largest and most powerful raptor found in the Americas. It is also one of the largest species of eagles in the world. Harpy eagles can weigh up to 27 pounds and can grow a wingspan of up to 7 feet. The harpy eagle is a carnivore and an apex predator — this means that adult birds are at the top of their food chain. Avoid these bird beasts in tropical lowland rain forests. 

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    Next: Boy Maimed in Hawk Attack

    5. AFRICAN CROWNED EAGLE

    The African crowned eagle is an extremely large, powerful, crested bird of prey found in sub-Saharan Africa. Although it is smaller than the martial eagle (except in length), the African crowned eagle is still considered the most powerful and ferocious bird of prey. Its diet consists of monkeys, duikers, antelopes and hyraxes.

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Robert

Really, this is such a waste of an article. First of all, to alarm people for no reason is just wrong. Since the recording of history there is no one instance recorded of an eagle, anywhere in the world, taking a human, small or big. You really aught to be ashamed of yourselves for accepting and posting this article. If this article is geared to United States readers, there is only one eagle listed here that is found in the states. That, of course, is the Golden Eagle. Most people don't even know the difference between an eagle, a hawk, or a vulture. All of whom are more afraid of the human than the human is afraid of them. Almost all attacks on humans by any of those birds were due to some type of provocation by the adult. This article really lacks the informative knowledge most of your articles contain and in my humble opinion should never have been posted.

March 08 2013 at 2:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
talari

Even so, after spending a few minutes with a crying baby, the bird would bring it back.

December 20 2012 at 9:31 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply
nazztea

Anyone who bothered to look at the shadow of the eagle would see it wasn't carrying the toddler.

December 20 2012 at 4:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
karuni

I find it irresponsible int he extreme to fear monger in this manner. These birds of prey have been persecuted for hundreds of years. It is rediculous to imagine they will pluck a toddler from a park, You should know better.

December 20 2012 at 3:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
gracecampbell59

Stupid!!!!

December 20 2012 at 2:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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