Fisherman gives exhausted eagle lift to shore

A malnourished bald eagle's rescue by a Canadian fisherman has been captured on camera.

In the video posted on YouTube at the weekend, the floundering bird appears to swim toward the fishing boat before being helped ashore by its unidentified rescuer near Nanoose Bay in British Columbia.

Haggard and missing feathers, the eagle takes some coaxing by the man but it eventually gives in.

"C'mon buddy," the man says, as he uses a net to scoop it out of the water.

Sprawled across the instrument, the famished bird is unable to fly – instead using what energy it has left to deliver the man a knowing stare.

According to the fisherman, the bird was passed on to the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society in Delta where it ate a whole quail upon arrival.

Bald eagles commonly hunt for salmon by flying low across the water, CBC reports.

But unlike ospreys, eagles may struggle to take off out of the water if it falls in or is pulled under by a heavy fish.

It is likely the eagle was trying to swim to the shore using its wings, as the birds lack the webbed feet needed for paddling.

Source: YouTube, CBC
Author: Chloe Ross, Approving editor: Nick Pearson