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 or abandoned. Perhaps its parents have died or the nest has fallen leaving the young eagle on the ground. Usually you will find the helpless eagle beside a dead parent or near a broken nest. And events like this usually occur in the spring during the breeding season.
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 gloves if possible. Place the eagle in a cardboard box with ventilation holes placed near the base of the box. 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, visit The Raptor Center.
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 gloves if possible. Place the eagle in a cardboard box with ventilation holes placed near the base of the box. 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, visit The Raptor Center.