For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perch'd on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him. With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping and Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District.

--Ben (the Slaver) Franklin

[–] Hexboare@hexbear.net 14 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Funny but this a person who owned humans as slaves

[–] BodyBySisyphus@hexbear.net 14 points 4 days ago (1 children)

This isn't about the man's moral discernment, it's about how he unintentionally described the United States while trying to criticize the animal that became the national symbol.

[–] Hexboare@hexbear.net 8 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I know, I'd just like to see some permanent Ben "the slaver" Franklin naming

[–] BodyBySisyphus@hexbear.net 5 points 4 days ago

I can get behind that, edited my comment

[–] radio_free_asgarthr@hexbear.net 3 points 4 days ago (2 children)

What? I have seen a lot of bald eagles fish, but never seen one take a fish from another bird.

[–] BodyBySisyphus@hexbear.net 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

He's just taking the piss in a letter but it's funny how apt it ended up being

[–] Spongebobsquarejuche@hexbear.net 5 points 4 days ago

I think he was a turkey aficionado.

[–] micnd90@hexbear.net 3 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzfwVOteWSQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC60cgAKHrI

[–] HexReplyBot@hexbear.net 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I found YouTube links in your comment. Here are links to the same videos on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:

Link 1:

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[–] jack@hexbear.net 2 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Nothing hunts adult bald eagles, they are absolutely at the top of their section of the food web.

[–] JoeByeThen@hexbear.net 2 points 2 days ago

DEET catgirl-smug

[–] micnd90@hexbear.net 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Nothing actively hunts leopards in African savannahs either, but lions are top cat, not leopards. Bald eagle often get their kills stolen by gold eagle or get bullied of scavenger meat by golden eagle

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Plw1aYY3TMk

Golden eagle is just slightly bigger, but have comparatively bigger talon as they specialize in hunting larger land animals (including deers) while bald eagle specializes in hunting fish. An adult golden eagle will steal/bully a bald eagle almost everytime.

[–] HexReplyBot@hexbear.net 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy: