Wild Montana Encounter: Bald Eagle and Coyote Engage in Intense Battle Over Deer Carcass

Two animals with a taste for deer meat, two animals who seize the opportunity to feast on fallen remains, but two animals that could not have more different reputations. The eagle being revered as an emblem for American patriotism… regal, elegant.

The coyote coyote on the other hand… a pest.

Although in the wild… nobody cares about reputations… it’s fight for your food or starve. And sometimes, it’s kill or be killed.

While the coyote has the size advantage in terms of weight, the eagles massive wingspan makes the canine look small by comparison.

Coyotes typically weigh 15-40 pounds and measure 3.5 to 4.5 feet long from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. By comparison, full grown bald eagles typically weigh 9-12 pounds on average, but their wingspans typically measure up to 6 or 7 feet long.

Just as the eagle begins feasting, here comes the coyote.

The eagle runs the coyote away from the meat a few times, but in its third attempt, the coyote finally is able to sneak a bite of the carcass. However, the eagle doesn’t back down and continues to attack the coyote, urging it to flee so it can continue to dine in peace.

It’s a draw…. where both players emerge victorious.