A motorist in western North Carolina escaped injury when a cat carcass crashed into the passenger side of her windshield along U.S. Route 74 near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The unidentified driver reported to 911 that a bald eagle dropped the cat, causing disbelief initially during the conversation.
You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield, the driver exclaimed to the dispatcher, who responded with laughter, stating, I do believe you, honestly. The driver noted that another witness was present and was equally astonished by the surreal event.
The dispatcher, seemingly unfazed, inquired about the cat's condition, to which the driver confirmed that it was no longer alive but laying beside the road.
Experts in wildlife behavior suggest that the eagle may have discarded the cat either due to the struggle in flight or because it was scavenging roadkill. Kendrick Weeks, the Western Wildlife Diversity Program supervisor, explained that while eagles can carry animals the size of a cat, they prefer not to carry those they find unpalatable for a prolonged period.
Thus, the bald eagle's behavior, such as dropping prey, can often stem from a poor grip, harassment from other raptors, or simply the weight being too much to carry. With bald eagle populations rising in North Carolina, this incident serves as a reminder of the fascinating and sometimes perplexing interactions between wildlife and humans.
