The symbolism is hard to miss in viral photos caught by photographer Mervyn Sequeira of a 20-minute fight between a Canada goose and a bald eagle, prompting many to draw comparisons to the current relationship between Canada and the United States as President Donald Trump continues to attack the country and its leadership.
During his weekly Sunday morning hike at LaSalle Marina, Sequeira and his family witnessed a fight between a bald eagle, the national bird of the U.S., and a Canada goose, an iconic symbol of Canada. Sequiera documented this unusual eagle-goose battle on February 23.
He believes the Canada goose was likely sick, which may have made it an easy target for the eagle. In winter, when ice makes it harder for eagles to catch fish, they often turn to vulnerable waterfowl. Sequeira described the goose as appearing unstable on its feet, with its head swinging in a way reminiscent of someone experiencing vertigo.
Despite decades of wildlife observation, Sequeira said this encounter was unlike anything he had ever seen before, saying the following to CBC Hamilton:
"We were there, and we saw this bald eagle coming in and going in to attack a Canada goose that was on the ice. ... When we thought that it was really over for the goose, strangely, the bald eagle just gave up and left. The goose was spared that day."
Sequeira, who noted "that is how nature works," described the encounter between the two birds as "symbolic"
"I only posted [the pictures to social media] in terms of what happened, not putting a political spin on it. However, there were lots of people who looked at it in the political context. But we're living in a slightly polarized world just now, so some people looked at it differently."
You can see the photos below.
People couldn't help but note the symbolism.
Can we put up that goose for US Congress? It fights
— 🎼 Algorithm & Blues 🎵 (@nekodad.bsky.social) March 6, 2025 at 11:20 AM
If this isn't a statement, idk what is.
— Kate Kay (@katekay13.bsky.social) March 6, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Bald Eagles are not the mighty majestic birds of prey. They’re lazy opportunistic scavenger birds. There’s a landfill a fee miles north of me & that’s where all the bald eagles are. Not turkey vultures, not crows, bald eagles & rats. The metaphorical representation is almost too on the nose
— booooozle.bsky.social (@booooozle.bsky.social) March 6, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Spoiler alert: The goose was feisty and held its own. In the end, the eagle gave up and flew away. It’s symbolic but also analogous.
[image or embed]
— Kaitiaki (@gaiasearth.bsky.social) March 6, 2025 at 2:37 AM
F*ck with 🇨🇦 geese and find out. Everyone I know has a horror story
— TMack 🇨🇦 (@tmackay.bsky.social) March 7, 2025 at 9:34 PM
No one who’s spent time around a Canada goose would ever doubt this outcome!
— Seandalai (@seandalai.bsky.social) March 9, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Not to sound like the oracle of Delphi or anything, but a bald eagle getting into a fight with a Canada goose and the goose winning is absolutely an omen from the Gods.
[image or embed]
— Nikita Gill (@nikitagill.bsky.social) March 7, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Last month, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on imports from Canada, though he’s twice delayed its implementation. Trump claims the tariffs are intended to pressure Canada to curb the flow of migrants and fentanyl across the border. In response, Canada has introduced retaliatory taxes on U.S. goods.
In his first speech after winning the race to lead Canada’s governing Liberal Party, Mark Carney directly criticized Trump’s alleged desire to annex Canada as the “51st state.”
Carney said Canada “never, ever, will be part of America in any way, shape, or form,” adding that people “are worried about Canada’s future, in the face of President Trump’s threats and a more divided and dangerous world.”
