BURLINGTON, Vt. – The grand opening of an L.L. Bean store in Vermont has ruffled some feathers, with an owl attacking a hawk in a shopping mall display.

Officials say a European eagle owl attacked a Harris’s hawk Friday in Burlington’s Town Center Mall.

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This European eagle owl attacked another bird, a Harris’s hawk, both part of the presentation of Talons! A Bird of Prey Experience. The display was set up near the fireplace at the University Mall lower level in Burlington, Vt., Friday as part of the grand-opening celebration for L.L. Bean. The Associated Press

Lorrie Schumacher of Talons! A Bird of Prey Experience secures her Harris’s hawk after it was attacked by another of her birds, European eagle owl, during a demonstration at the University Mall in Burlington, Vt., Friday. The bird were on display as part of a new L.L. Bean store opening. The Associated Press

The Burlington Free Press reported that witnesses said the owl squeezed the hawk in its claws for several minutes, causing the hawk to shriek.

Workers at the mall display for the Freeport, Maine-based outdoors outfitter separated the birds.

The birds are from Talons! A Bird of Prey Experience. Master falconer Lorrie Schumacher says the birds had known each other for six years and had never gone after each other before. She says they’re always in close proximity and workers make sure their leashes aren’t too close. But she adds they are predators.

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