Watch an Unfazed Eagle Score Some Honey from the Nest of Thousands of Bees

Pallas's Fish Eagle found in dense forests. It thrives on fish.
© Supriyo Ghoshal/Shutterstock.com

Written by Hannah Crawford

Updated: October 17, 2023

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A honeybee hive would be one of the top animals that no one would want to disturb, human or animal. In the case of the video shown below, an unfazed eagle has the confidence to disturb the nest of thousands of bees and not care about the repercussions. 

Check Out the Incredible Video Below!

How Many Honey Bees Are There? 

The world is filled with animals beyond any number we can put on them. For years, scientists have tried their best to provide accurate numbers of the population of each animal.

And each year, those numbers change as we discover new species or find new habitats for animals we already know exist. 

Honey bee colony

The queen (Apis mellifera) is marked with a dot and bee workers around her – the life of a honey bee colony.

©Kuttelvaserova Stuchelova/Shutterstock.com

The largest population on earth is that of the insect. There are estimated to be approximately 10 quintillion insects alive. This staggering number encompasses all sorts of insects, such as beetles, ants, flies, ladybugs, mosquitos, fireflies, and honey bees, to name a few. 

And within these 10 quintillion insects are hundreds of thousands of species. There are approximately 2.67 million honey bees alive, and out of those three million, we know only eight species that exist and that we recognize. 

Eagle Facts

Bald eagle taking off on reelfoot lake state park in Tennessee

Eagles have a wingspan of 27.5-98 inches.

©Kannan Sundaram/Shutterstock.com

Eagles have taken their position in the bird kingdom as one of the most prominent birds. These beautiful birds are eye-catching because of their feathers and physique. 

Eagles weigh 1-15.4 pounds and are 15.7-39.3 inches long. These powerful birds are most well known for their speed.

When we think of fast animals, our minds automatically go to the cheetah. This animal is the fastest land animal alive that runs up to speeds of 70 miles per hour. 

Just when we think that no other animal could top that, the eagle comes swooping in at speeds of 100 miles per hour. His rapid speed gives him the ability to catch prey that has no possibility of escape. 

Do Eagles Normally Eat Honey?

American bald eagle with wings spread and perched on branch against background of Alaskan Kenai region shoreline along Cook Inlet

Eagles reside in places such as open waters, rivers, lakes, and coastal regions.

©FloridaStock/Shutterstock.com

Due to the eagle’s ability to fly at speeds of 100 miles per hour, he cannot only catch his food but is often known for stealing food from other animals. And at 100 miles per hour, who could stop him?

Eagles’ diet consists of squirrels, rabbits, fish, and mice. It is estimated that eagles catch 2,000 mice per year. On occasion, such as in the video shown below, eagles have also been known to eat insects.

The normal diet of eagles consists of a variety of small and medium-sized prey. They typically hunt for fish, rodents, reptiles, and other small mammals. Eagles have also been known to scavenge meat from carcasses of dead animals.

Eagles will sometimes supplement their diet with fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Some species of eagles, especially those found in temperate climates, also rely on carrion and insects for food.

It is not uncommon for eagles to scavenge honey from a hive. While this is not a frequent occurrence, it is not unheard of. Eagles are adept hunters and will make use of any food source available to them.

Eagles have been known to adapt their diet depending on the season and availability of food. For example, during the winter months, eagles may rely more heavily on carrion and other scavenged sources of food.

Eagles require a large amount of protein to maintain their energy levels and remain healthy. Therefore, their diet must include a wide variety of food sources to ensure they are getting the necessary nutrients.

Overall, the normal diet of eagles consists of a variety of small and medium-sized prey, supplemented with fruits, vegetables, nuts, carrion, and, once in a blue moon, honey from a hive.


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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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