Juvenile Eagles Battle In Polish Skies

These white-tailed eagles are native to Poland where they are a protected species and the national symbol.

Polish wildlife photographer Sylwia Domaradzka travelled to her homeland with a group of photographers in the hope capturing snow scenes.

Sylwia believes that the number of eagles are steadily rising but that brutal mid-air fights are the main cause of death for the protected animals.

Most fights are just for practice and result in the older more experienced birds chasing the younger ones away.

Sylwia, 39, said: “We didn't get a lot of snow, but it was cold enough to make eagles fight over access to food.

“They fight quite a lot and can kill each other.

“The fights are very quick. Sometimes it's a matter of a few seconds, occasionally a little longer - this is how you can tell it is becoming more serious.

“I always get worried when I see them fighting as sometimes it's serious, and I don't think I would like to witness them killing each other as it would be quite brutal.

“When you watch them you see they have a social hierarchy in their group according to age. The elders demand obedience from the juveniles.”