A predator is any species that exists by eating, or preying upon, another wildlife species. Predation is the relationship between two wildlife species in which one preys on the other for food. For example, eagles prey on fish. Predation is critical to the success of thousands of species, and to whole ecosystems. When prey is unavailable, predators go hungry. Conversely, predators can play an important role in keeping prey populations from growing too quickly. Eagles are predators, primarily preying on fish, though game birds, small mammals and reptiles are also eaten occasionally. Eagles are capable of catching live fish by diving or swooping along bodies of water and snatching fish from along the surface. They are also scavengers and, in some cases, thieves. While many predators will only eat prey they've killed, bald eagles will eat dead fish or animals, known as carrion, including leftovers from other birds. Eagles will even steal prey from other birds. Adult bald eagles face little risk of becoming prey, but eaglets and eagle eggs are vulnerable to raccoons, crows, horned owls, bobcats and brown bears, and fledglings are prey to mammals of all kinds while on the ground. To learn more about the characteristics of the bald eagle, click on any of the photos or links below. Gender differences || Eyesight || Wings, flight & migration Life stages || Why "bald" eagles? || Nesting & breeding Habitat & Threats || Predators & Predation Terms of Use - Copyright 2009 Central Vermont Public Service Copyright photos CVPS, Floyd Scholz U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife Web related issues