Huge California Condors Bully an Eagle Off a Sheep Carcass And Take Over in Numbers

California condor bird on a rock with wings spread against blue sky
© Barbara Ash/Shutterstock.com

Written by Hannah Crawford

Updated: November 9, 2023

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“Sharing is caring.” While this might be a phrase we heard of growing up with our parents, this is not used in the wild. In the wild, it is every animal for themselves, and sharing is not caring. It is a fight for survival every day, with every bit of food, every drop of water, and every secure hiding place.

California Condor Sighting in California

This YouTube video takes us to California. This video was shared by The Wildlife Society’s YouTube page. This channel is dedicated to offering a variety of videos on various types of wildlife. We see videos of animals such as bobcats, coyotes, jaguars, white-tailed deer, howler monkeys, and cougars, to name a few. 

Check Out The Incredible Video Below!

California Condor Vs. Eagle

At the start of this video, we see a dead sheep carcass that is lying out in the grass. Now, as far as how this sheep died, we do not know. Given that this carcass is in good condition, we would assume that it died of natural causes. Otherwise, this animal would have been consumed if it had been a predator hunting it. 

An eagle flying by has noticed this meal for the taking. And who would pass up a free meal? Not this bird. He flies down and starts to pick at it. But, as the smell of flesh goes, we see that it doesn’t take long before the company arrives. And this company is not interested in sharing this meal in any way. 

At seven seconds, we see a large California condor appear from the right side of the screen. He slowly walks up, unfazed that another bird is enjoying this feast. He stands on top of the carcass as if to say, “This is mine.” However, the eagle snaps at this California condor. And so the condor projects his enormous wings at the eagle and then suddenly downswoops a few other California condors to the rescue. This was enough to make the eagle think twice and hightail it out of there. 

What Eats Sheep?

Sheep

There are estimated to be over five million sheep.

©patjo/Shutterstock.com

Sheep (Ovis aries) of the family Bovidae can have some of the most predators due to the vast locations that they reside in. There are estimated to be more than 200 different sheep breeds. Out of these breeds, they can be found in locations around the world, such as Africa, Asia, Central America, Eurasia, Europe, North America, and South America.

The sheep is hunted by various predators, but the top predators are wolves, mountain lions, and coyotes.


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About the Author

Hannah Crawford is a writer at A-Z Animals where she focuses on reptiles, mammals, and locations in Africa. Hannah has been researching and writing about animals and various countries for over eight years. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Communication\Performance Studies from Pensacola Christian College, which she earned in 2015. Hannah is a resident in Florida, and enjoys theatre, poetry, and growing her fish tank.

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