Madrid hatch-year bald eagle

Admission Date: 14 July 2018
Outcome: Released 22 October 2018 in NE Iowa
Location of Rescue: Near Madrid, Boone County
Cause of Admission / Condition: Grounded and unable to fly
Patient Status: Patient Archive

This hatch-year 2018 bald eagle was reported to SOAR rescuer Deb as needing assistance. Deb saw no adults in the area, so rescued and took to SOAR. This young male is in need of groceries. He is emaciated. Our best guess is that this youngster fledged a bit early and an unsuccessful first flights.

Updates:

30 July 2018
This juvenile has gained almost a pound in two weeks, has been wormed, had his lead level tested (very low), and moved to a 10x20 flight pen. But... Madrid is dropping feathers, so will be some time before he'll be able to test his wings. When birds are emaciated, they can drop feathers because the energy needed for feather production went to other needs.