Eagle Behaviors - Orphaned vs Injured Eagles

Distressed wildlife fit into two categories: helpless and injured. A helpless bald eagle is one that has been orphaned, abandoned, or emaciated due to disease or having never learned to hunt for itself. Perhaps its parents have died or the nest has fallen leaving the young eagle on the ground. You may find a helpless eaglet beside a dead parent or near a nest “blow-down”, usually during the spring nesting season.  Juvenile eagles, that haven’t learned to hunt successfully, are typically found in Tennessee and vicinity during late June and July, within a week or two of their having fledged from their nest.  Diseased eagles may become emaciated and helpless on the ground at anytime during the year.

On the other hand, an injured bald eagle will usually show signs of injury such as blood, discharges from the nose or eyes, body malformations, lack of movement or abnormal actions. Situations like this can and do occur during any season.

Whether the bald eagle is helpless or injured may make a difference in the care it receives. The first thing to consider is the developmental stage of the eagle. If you encounter an eagle chick less than six weeks of age, the possibility that the chick will imprint on you or other humans is a serious concern. If this happens, the eagle may never be able to fend for itself in the wild ever again. Even if the bird appears unharmed, since bald eagles are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Act and the Bald Eagle Protection Act, you must have permission from a wildlife official to care for it.

If the bald eagle is injured, your first course of action is to notify wildlife officials or the police as quickly as possible and then return to the site to watch the eagle and wait for the officials. Birds of prey require special diets and care. To prevent nutritional or behavioral problems, it's important for these birds to be cared for by trained personnnel.

There may be unusual situations where you feel you must take action. In this situation, the proper action would be to move the bird with extreme care. Wear heavy long gloves if possible.  Place a blanket or large towel completely over its head to calm the bird and so that it can’t see to bite or strike you with its talons.  Approach the bird from the rear.  Gently push down on its back so that both its feet are against the ground, preventing it from striking with either talon.  While keeping the bird’s head completely covered, slide your hands down and over each wing, holding the wings against the body of the eagle.  While still gently forcing both its feet to the ground, slide your hands down each side of the eagle to simultaneously grasp each leg just above the talons.  Pick up the eagle, while holding one wing against your body and the other under your opposite arm.  Place the eagle in a large cardboard box or large pet carrier with ventilation holes.”  The less room the bird has to move around, the better. Place the bird in a warm, dark, quiet place and call for help immediately. Do not feed the eagle and do not place it near people (especially children) or pets.

For more information about handling injured birds of prey, visit The Raptor Center and click on "Help an Injured Raptor".