What happens when a raptor and python cross paths – high up in a tree? One Wild Card member was astonished to witness this three-hour, deadly interaction.
Late last year Luis Da Cruz and his wife spent a few days at Ngwenya Lodge, situated on the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park. A leisurely stroll soon turned into an afternoon to remember when a two-metre-long python – high up in a tree – caught Luis’s attention.
The Kruger regular was even more astonished when he noticed the python was wrapped around a bird. “I could not believe our luck. While trying to work out exactly what type of bird the snake had caught, I was also desperately trying to get decent pictures. The snake was very high up, 25m plus, and the light was poor,” Luis recalls.
With many spectators, all speculating about what was happening, questions were plentiful. Did the python kill the black-shouldered kite in the tree or on the ground? If the python caught the bird on the ground, how did it get the bird up into the tree? Did the bird land close to the snake, already at home in the tree, and meet its match? And probably the most dreaded question of all: What would happen if the snake fell out of the tree?
The Southern African python firmly grips its prey: an unfortunate black-shouldered kite. Pictures by Luis Da Cruz
With the python dangling from a tree branch, it’s proving quite a task to swallow the bird.
To add to the drama, a pied crow showed up. “For at least 30 minutes, the crow desperately tried to disrupt the snake by pecking at its tail, trying to dislodge it from the tree, and making one almighty racket. It’s known that crows and snakes are natural enemies – this crow’s actions seemed to indicate that it was trying to get the snake to release the black-shouldered kite. I have never witnessed anything like this.”
Was the crow trying to rescue the kite or did it want to steal the snake’s meal? Let us know what you think.
After three hours, the snake still hadn’t swallowed the motionless bird. “By now our necks were stiff from looking upwards all this time and we decided to move on. The next day, none of the other spectators could confirm what had happened in the end, everyone wishing that they had watched the entire interaction. Quite a few of the visitors suggested that this particular python is a regular in the area.”
An unsolved mystery
Snake expert Johan Marais identified the snake as a Southern African python (Python natalensis). This snake kills its prey by constriction and then swallows it whole.
“It’s quite unusual to see a python eating an adult bird in broad daylight. It is an ambush hunter and usually hides in bushes or grass to surprise its prey. How it got the bird up the tree is a bit of a mystery. Although they feed on mammals and birds, they are also known to take fish and leguaans. The maximum length for the Southern African python is just short of 6m.”
Amazing interaction!
Python was at the right place at the right time. The Black Shouldered Kite is a small raptor and would not even try to take on a large snake. Seemingly not a large Python but still not on the birds menu.
I think the snake was up the tree, probably lying still. Well camouflaged.The bird perched on or near the snake.
The snake took up the offer of an quick meal and struck.
As far as the crow is concerned, snakes are the enemies of birds and most birds will kick up a commotion to get the snake to move off, even smaller seed and fruit eating birds will make a noise and flap around so as to make it uncomfortable for the snake.
What an amazing sequence of photographs. Well done at that angle…..
Thank you for sharing them
Agreed ..amazing photographs & what an experience to observe ..wow. Thank you for sharing the photos & descrption with us.
Ray Marsh
What a great series of photographs, it just shows you that there is always a chance for amazing sightings when you least expect it. I would agree with Ted McGee that the python just happened to be in the tree when the unfortunate kite landed a little to close and was siezed by the snake, the fist pics show the bird in the snake’s coils and the snake making no attempt to eat it. Crows are quite fearless in mobbing birds of prey and snakes and that is what I believe is happening here.
Wow Luis your pictures continue to amaze me! I love Pythons so thank you for these pictures 🙂
Dit was ‘n baie unieke gebeurtenis en julle was net so gelukkig soos die Luislang om op die regte plek op die regte tyd te wees.
Over the past 12 years, we have bush camped from Scottburgh to the source of the Nile – and beyond; visited every Reserve and Concession from Kruger to Elephant Sands to Etosha and seen almost everything there is to see in the wild … except a Python! My dream is to see an African Rock Python in the wild. Have you any idea how very, very fortunate you are! Sooooo jealous!. Great pics! Thanks.
Totally agree with Ted, the snake had a lucky break when the kite landed nearby handing him an easy meal!
That must be a once in a lifetime experience. Well done on capturing such wonderful pictures.
We have the unit at Ngwenya (100). In May 2016 we were fortunate enough to witness ‘Monty’. At approx 4.30 pm we saw the python up the tree. The tree has a dead branch which protrudes through the middle. A green pigeon perched itself on this branch and we watched the snake stork its prey and strike! It was absolutely fascinating. Once he had the bird in his mouth Monty proceeded to start his constricting routine. Numerous times he unfurled himself as if he was falling, but clung onto the tree with his tail. We were in absolute awe with much screaming and hysteria!!! The light had deteriorated so we were out with the torches to try and capture this amazing sighting. Unfortunately, we think from human intervention, Monty dropped his prey, and then we lost him in the dark!, rather nerve racking as you can imagine. The following morning the bird was still lying beneath the tree and Monty was back on the same dead branch, waiting! We went into the park and while we out our neighbour kept guard and witnessed the python strike again and take out a kite, he did the same routine and this time successfully had his meal. Once he had his fill, he slithered done, over the lawn and headed into the bush towards the river. At that stage he was approximately 2 metres. Monty is a regular in this particular tree, which is only 2-3 metres from the verandah. Unfortunately our visit to Ngwenya in August was not as successful, but can’t wait to see if Monty will grace us with his presence in May. I will try and get some of our pics for you .
I have seen pythons in trees before now. They are ambush hunters and lie along a branch waiting for something to land nearby.
At Double Mouth reserve near Kei Mouth there is a mole snake (also a constrictor) that has been doing it for a long time according to the camp attendant. It was up at least 20 metres and while we were there took a Masked Weaver.
You are so lucky to have seen something like that – we’ve spent so much time in various parts of Africa and never been as luck with seeing snakes of any kind! Wonderful photos and thanks for sharing them.
Luis, your photos area amazing.
How lucky you were to capture the moment.
Well done. Thanks for sharing.