Bald Eagle Devours Goose In Hamburg, New York [PICTURES]

Typically, bald eagles are most active in the winter months, but one Western New Yorker got a pretty good look at an eagle this weekend…and he was a hungry one, that’s for sure. 

Where Are Bald Eagles Typically Found?

According to the New York State Conservationist, bald eagles can be found in the area year-round, but they are “rarely found in the state from May to September.”  

Is It Rare To See A Bald Eagle?

Now, there are close to 1,000, and they're no longer considered endangered. They've been spotted in all five boroughs of New York City. So, if you're lucky enough, on a cold morning along the Hudson River, you just may spot one commuting on an ice floe.

Spotting one in the wild is an invitation to reflect on your own inner strength and connect with what you consider divine. And even though bald eagles are no longer endangered, they're still a rare sight.  

What Do Bald Eagles Eat?

Bald eagles are opportunistic foragers but prefer fish as their primary food and are found in great densities where fish are abundant. They also eat sea birds and ducks or hunt over grasslands and marshes for small mammals such as rabbits, squirrels, prairie dogs and muskrats.

While bald eagles primarily feed on fish, they prey on small mammals, including pets, which can be concerning for pet owners.

That’s why it was so weird for Eric Smith when he stumbled upon a bald eagle in Hamburg that was feasting on…a goose?

Bald Eagles primarily eat fish, but when bodies of water used for hunting freeze, they go after game birds such as ducks and geese.

You can see some of the pictures below, taken by West Seneca resident Eric Smith. 

What to do if you see a bald eagle?

The US Fish & Wildlife Service recommends that people can help bald eagle conservation efforts continue by leaving them and their nests undisturbed if encountered in the wild.