In the column “Since You Asked” in every issue of BirdWatching, Contributing Editor Julie Craves answers readers’ questions about birds and bird behavior. Here is a question from our December 2014 issue:

After grabbing a fish, a Bald Eagle lifted it about a foot above the water, but the fish was too heavy. Instead of letting go, the eagle hit the surface of the water and then sort of flapped to shore. Is this common? — Adam Charles, Quincy, Illinois

Eagles won’t win any awards for style, but they can “swim,” and the behavior isn’t too unusual. They are able to raise prey weighing up to three or four pounds. The fish and ducks that make up much of their diet typically weigh less. Sometimes an eagle gets ahold of something that is just too heavy, long, or unwieldy to get into the air, or the bird doesn’t have the speed and momentum to provide enough lift. As long as the eagle is fairly close to shore, it can do a breaststroke of sorts to row its meal to land and feast.

If you have a question about birds for Julie, send it to [email protected] or visit our Contact page. A version of this article was published in the December 2014 issue of BirdWatching. Subscribe.

Originally Published