A red-tailed hawk chick that was “adopted” by bald eagles has survived against the odds.
The chick was initially spotted in an eagle’s nest in Sidney, British Columbia in June.
Experts say that this hawk has beaten the odds; in general, hawks and eagles are considered enemies, and its chances of survival were extremely low.
Eagle biologist David Hancock of Hancock Wildlife Foundation told National Geographic, “Every day I said ‘I wouldn’t count on him being there tomorrow!’ But it’s been six weeks and he’s still adapting.”
The hawk, nicknamed “Spunky,” will likely not stay with the eagles long. While eagles migrate north, hawks tend to remain in the region.
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