A North Carolina driver reported to 911 that a bald eagle dropped a cat carcass through her windshield. The incident occurred on U.S.
Route 74 in Swain County. The driver described the event as terrifying, and the 911 dispatcher, after an initial moment of disbelief, confirmed she would send the Highway Patrol.
Another witness reportedly observed the cat falling from the sky. The cat was not alive and was found on the side of the road.
Wildlife officials suggest the eagle may have picked up the cat as roadkill or that it could have slipped from the eagle's talons. Bald eagles are capable of carrying prey the size of a cat, and scavenging is a common behavior for them.
Eagles may also drop prey due to a poor grip, if the prey struggles, if they are harassed by other birds, or if the prey becomes too heavy. While some raptors drop prey to kill it, this is uncommon for bald eagles.
