We have provided evidence that a warning signal, known to help deter predatory attacks on a potentially harmful prey, may also help the prey to win ecological competition with its predators.» (sciencedaily.com)
Most live prey are quite a bit smaller than the eagle, but predatory attacks on large birds such as the great blue heron and even swans have been recorded. (nps.gov)
The attack probably came from below, and the researchers say appears to have been a skirmish: They suggest that the fossil preserves an ancient competition between males or a mating behavior, rather than a predatory attack intended to kill and consume. (sciencemag.org)