Bald Eagle #15-1348 (GW91)

Species Name (EN): 
Species Name (LA): 
Admission Date: 
June 28, 2015
Release Date: 
September 21, 2015
Location of Rescue: 
Smarts Creek, Montross, VA
Cause of Admission / Condition: 
Unable to fly
Prognosis: 
Outcome: 
Patient Status: 
Patient Archive
Released

On June 27, a hatch-year Bald Eagle was found on the ground with water-logged feathers in Westmoreland County. The eagle was easily captured and transported to Wild Bunch Wildlife Rehabilitation by wildlife rehabilitator Diana O’Connor. Wild Bunch Wildlife Rehabilitation staff noted that the bird was very thin, but found no other injuries. The eagle was transferred to the Wildlife Center the next day.

During the initial exam, Bald Eagle #15-1348 was dull and lying sternal [chest down]. Dr. Meghan examined the bird and found that the eagle infested with flat flies and lice and also had significant damage to multiple feathers shafts on her tail and each wing. Radiographs and blood work were unremarkable.

The veterinary staff administered fluids and started the eagle on a broad spectrum anti-parasitic medication. The bird was placed in the Center’s holding room and offered a meal of chopped rat.

The next morning, Bald Eagle #15-1348 was bright, alert, and standing, but had not eaten any of her meal. The eagle will be offered a variety of foods to see if she will begin to eat on her own. The veterinary team will monitor the bird for any changes in attitude or condition.

The Center depends on the donations of caring individuals to provide veterinary care to wildlife and training in wildlife veterinary medicine. Please help! 

Updates

September 22, 2015

Bald Eagle #15-1348 (GW91) was released on September 21 in front of a crowd of about 50 people. Dr. Dave, the Center’s veterinary director, released the bird. The eagle flew over the trees and attendees, over a long corn field, to a tree where she finally perched. Track the eagle’s whereabouts here!

 

 

Photos by Barbara Melton: 

September 17, 2015

Bald Eagle #15-1348 has been flying very well during the past week. On Wednesday, September 16, the eagle was caught up for a pre-release exam and blood draw. Results were within normal limits, and Dr. Helen declared the eagle ready for release.

The young eagle will be released on Monday, September 21 in Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County, Virginia at 12 noon. The release party will meet at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument [1732 Popes Creek Road, Colonial Beach, VA]. Dr. Dave, the Center’s veterinary director, will release the bird. The release is open to the public; those planning on attending should RSVP to Lacy at lkegley@wildlifecenter.org. Attendees should plan to meet at the Visitor Center.

The eagle is wearing a GPS transmitter; after release, updates will be available on the Center's Eagle Tracking page. This bird will be known as GW91. 
 

September 9, 2015

Bald Eaglet #15-1348 has been exercising well during the past two weeks. The bird has increased her stamina, and generally has good height and form while flying. The bird is currently flying an average of 13-14 passes in the flight pen before tiring, which is nearly at optimum condition.

Because this eaglet is flying well and is likely the next bird to be released, the eaglet was fitted with a GPS transmitter by Department of Game and Inland Fisheries eagle biologist Jeff Cooper on September 8. Jeff came to fit Bald Eagle #15-1667 with a GPS transmitter prior to her release. Because this eaglet is a young bird, Jeff and the Center staff would prefer to have the unit on this bird for at least a week prior to release.

The eagle will be a part of an ongoing research study that will monitor eagle movements. This study looks at the data received from these tracked Bald Eagles to determine the range and behavior of Bald Eagles in Virginia’s coastal plain. Migratory behavior is studied as biologists are able to see how far Bald Eagles move in the winter season, and the data will play an important role in modeling how these birds use airspace. By looking at heights at which the eagles fly, average distances, and other specifics, biologists are able to relate this eagle behavior to real-life issues, such as airstrike data. During the past few years, VDGIF Biologist Jeff Cooper has fitted dozens of Bald Eagles with GPS transmitters.

For the Wildlife Center, this is a fantastic opportunity for additional post-release studies of our rehabilitated raptors. There have been very few studies done in this area. The Wildlife Center will be able to see and share GPS data; the bird will be added to the Eagle Tracking page on our website.

Exercise will continue during the next week. Continued improvement in the bird's flight capabilities will be needed before the eagle is cleared for release. No determination has been made of the time and place for a release.
 

August 27, 2015

Bald Eagle #15-1348 has continued with daily exercise sessions in A2. While the bird is able to fly more than 10 passes in the flight pen, the bird frequently flies low to the ground after it begins to tire. The eaglet will need to gain more stamina and height during flight conditioning sessions before it can be considered for release.

After the recent releases of Bald Eagle #15-0642 and Bald Eaglet #15-1250, the rehabilitation team will do some “eagle shuffling”, so that some of the other young eagles at the Center can begin exercise. In the next few days, Bald Eaglet #15-1261 will join eaglet #15-1348 in A2.
 

August 14, 2015

Bald Eagles #15-1667 and #15-1348 continue to do well in flight pen A2. Both birds are eating well and are consistently making 10 passes perch-to-perch. While the two eagles’ flying abilities are improving, each bird still needs to improve in endurance and perching before they can be considered ready for release. The rehabilitation staff will continue to exercise the eagles in the upcoming weeks.

August 3, 2015

The staff have been able to observe Bald Eagle #15-1667 during the past few days via Critter Cam; the eagle remained still unable to fly well through Saturday, August 1. The staff noted an intermittent right wing droop via the webcams, and also observed the eagle being a little unstable after hopping off of the A-frame, though the bird recovered her balance well.

On August 1, the staff decided to switch eagles – Bald Eagle #15-1667 and Bald Eagle #15-1250 switched places. This allowed the better flying eagles, #15-1250 and #15-0642, to be together in flight pen A1. Eagle #15-1667 now shares the A2 flight pen with young eaglet #15-1348.

On Sunday, August 2, the staff noted some improvement in eagle 15-1667's flight capabilities; the bird was able to fly from an A-frame perch to a higher swinging perch. On August 3, the rehabilitation staff exercised eaglet #15-1348 and reported that adult eagle #15-1667 was able to keep pace -- she flew the length of the flight pen a total of 10 times!  The staff will continue to exercise and monitor the eagle during the next week.


 

July 15, 2015

Bald Eaglets #15-1250 and 15-1348 have been doing well together in A2 during the past week. The birds are eating well, and Bald Eaglet #15-1250 is flying very well. Eaglet #15-1348 is likely a couple of weeks younger than the other bird, and is still fairly sedentary.

On July 15, the staff will begin to exercise Bald Eaglet #15-1250 to prepare the bird for release later this summer.

July 8, 2015

For a couple of days following admission, Bald Eaglet #15-1348 remained quiet and dull. The veterinary team continued to provide fluids to the bird and hand-fed the eaglet to ensure it was receiving enough nutrition. On June 30, the bird was moved to a small outdoor enclosure, to see if the move would stimulate its appetite. The bird began eating on its own and appeared to be brighter.

After the staff were sure that the eaglet was consistently eating, the young eagle was moved to flight pen A2, to share an enclosure with eaglet #15-1250 and Bald Eagle #15-0355. The eaglet has gained nearly a kilogram since its admission and currently weighs 3.70 kg.


 

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