Falcon vs Pelican

Female Peregrine Falcon attacks a Pelican for flying in her territory.
Peregrine Falcons become very territorial during nesting season. No matter what size the intruding bird, they will attack.
I spent two full days from 8 am to 7 pm to capture this footage.

[@lumindina699]

The falcon is smart to chase the pelicans away. Pelicans will grab up and swallow anything it can pick up and get down it's incredibly large stretchable throat. Any young the falcons have in a nest are at risk of being the pelicans next meal.

[@samcy9551]

What a video.... lol the Pelican must be so pissed off being flipped like that so close to the surface. That Falcon is that Kid who had so much time in his hands... Dennis the Menace!

[@joyofposting8238]

I captured the landing of Crested caracara in the garden but it take me the whole day watching and putting some eggs in the grass,just to get their attention 😍😍😍

[@ryanreedgibson]

OMG, this is an awesome video!

[@uuu8045]

Thanks for the hard work! What a nice one!

[@taregsami]

Aaaand pelican fu...ed up..!

[@thorinti]

Excelente trabajo. Una pregunta, porque lo ataca al pelícano. He visto varios videos parecidos. Gracias muy bueno!!

[@Nick-rs5if]

Can't believe bro would just flip him over like that.

[@BasedMHFan]

I am sure the pelican did not notice but only lost control making the mission of the peregrine fail future predators will surely surpass the peregrine

[@BischesseHunting]

Is this a hunt or are they defending you ones?

[@dandelion_2021]

Awesome! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ta2020photography]

😘😘😘😘

[@ismailbigharassen9576]

Mind blowing x
Ive seen the same scene on bbc !

[@tens9100]

Think it’s just steering it away from the nest. Would have to go way up in the sky to hunt the thing - that was not the objective

[@chadcatz]

does a peregrine falcon stand a chance against an eagle in an aerial fight?

[@ta2020photography]

From what I have seen. It depends. If the Eagle sees the Peregrine Falcon coming, Yes. But If the Falcon goes on diving mode and punches the Eagle in the head it is game over before the Eagle can know what hit it.
The Eagle has size and power but the Falcon has Speed and super agility/maneuverability.
Never seen it myself. But heard from other photographers about cases of Peregrine Falcon downing a Bald Eagles

[@MrAntfreak]

@@ta2020photography I briefly worked with both species and I am pretty sure the peregrine wins against an eagle

[@nevezetesnevtelen1810]

ruclips.net/user/shorts9j0xkh77dAE

[@henthust9784]

​​@@ta2020photographyNo bird harms another in this case. I've seen it very often. Usually the falcon attacks bigger birds when they loiter around its territory, especially nearer to its nest. This is done to protect the young, or the female who is incubating the eggs. In the latter case, the protector is the male.
What the falcon does is to just harass the bigger bird, using talons, and it's agility, to make the intruder as uncomfortable as possible, until the intruder is way far from the territory.
Almost exactly as this smaller bird; the fork tailed drongo, attacks bigger birds, even if it cannot inflict any damage to the bird.
As for the eagle failing to see the falcon, or any other thing approaching, is far fetched. These raptors have a peripheral view of about 300 degrees, and have the sharpest eyesight one can think of, not to mention alertness.
When the eagle is attacked, it rolls over in the air, like a fighter jet, shows its claws, but only to scare of the hawk or falcon, which simply veers out of the way. Sometimes even kites attack the eagle for the same reason.

[@ta2020photography]

@@henthust9784 I agree with you. Almost 100% of times it is over territory specially during nesting season both male and female peregrines become very territorial specially the larger and stronger female falcon.

[@lawrencelou3545]

The pelican probably ate the falcon"s chicks..

[@mwi875]

Amazing.

[@AjayAjay-ys6dd]

😂