Ridgeway hatch-year bald eagle

Admission Date: 5 July 2018
Outcome: Released 26 October 2018 at SOAR
Location of Rescue: Near Ridgeway, Iowa
Cause of Admission / Condition: Hatch-year on the ground, not wanting to fly
Patient Status: Patient Archive

Winneshiek County dispatch received call of young bald eagle standing in the road and not flying away when cars approach, near the town of Ridgeway, Iowa. Falconer friend and Raptor Resource Project board member Dave K was able to go check on the situation for us. Dave reported back that no adults are in the area, the hatch-year eagle is being swarmed by gnats and harassed by robins. The decision was made to rescue. Other Raptor Resource Project volunteers were also in Decorah and started the transport “pony express” to SOAR that night.

Updates:

6 July 2018
Kay reported that this hatch-year eagle had been on the ground for some time, not being fed, as she is emaciated.

23 July 2018
Ridgeway18 is in a 10x20 flight pen with other hatch-year eagles. None of these juveniles are ready for the big flight pen.

11 September 2018
Now weighing 12.25 pounds, this was moving day from the 10x20 to the 100' eagle flight pen!