Seal Spits at Eagle in Unprecedented Defensive Act

A gray seal was observed spitting a stream of water at a white-tailed eagle, marking the first recorded instance of such behavior between these species.

• A birdwatcher captured a rare moment when a gray seal spat a stream of water at a white-tailed eagle on the Isle of Wight.
• The incident, documented by the University of Portsmouth, reveals a never-before-seen defensive tactic by a seal against an aerial predator.
• This interaction provides new insights into the behaviors of gray seals and white-tailed eagles, both top predators competing for fish resources.
• White-tailed eagles, reintroduced to the Isle of Wight in 2019 after extinction in the 1700s, are now frequently sighted alongside gray seals.
• The event challenges existing perceptions of animal defense mechanisms and adds to the understanding of interspecies dynamics.

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