Hidden Camera Captures Dramatic Nest Fight Between Two Protected Raptors in Lithuania

A hidden camera installed by Lithuanian ornithologists near a short-toed eagle nest has captured an unusual and dramatic wildlife encounter. A young northern goshawk appeared at the nest, where a juvenile short-toed eagle was left without parental protection, and immediately attacked.

The goshawk tried to push the eaglet out of the nest. The eaglet, which had almost fallen out, mustered all its strength to hold on. After a fierce struggle, it managed to force the attacker to retreat.

Commenting on the incident, ornithologists said the inexperienced hunter had clearly overestimated its abilities and chosen the wrong prey. They expressed hope that the goshawk would not return and that the eaglet would be able to grow up and make its first independent flight.

Meanwhile, commenters voiced concern over whether the eaglet's desperate cries were heard by its parents and whether the goshawk's talons had caused serious injuries. It is noted that both the short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) are listed in the Red Books of both Lithuania and Latvia, and in Latvia both species are considered critically endangered.