A Feisty Eagle Returns to the Wild: Patient 125 (March 2023)

At the beginning of March, EagleWatch volunteers spotted an eaglet that had fallen from its nest. The eaglet came to the Raptor Trauma Clinic, where it was given the patient number 125. Clinic staff quickly noticed this eaglet had a personality much larger than her size would suggest! Due to her inability to keep still and placement of her nest above a highway, staff determined re-nesting her would likely lead to another fall and the real possibility of a major injury.
Patient 125 instead stayed at the Center for treatment and conditioning with a plan for release when she learned to fly. Over the next few weeks, this eaglet became known for her spunk, her yelling, and her incredible messes during feeding time. She managed to squirm her way right into the hearts of staff. Before too long, she was soaring beautifully in our flight barn.
EagleWatch volunteers found her a very special home: an area of open pastureland in east Florida near an eagle family with a recently-fledged eaglet her age. At the end of March, staff and volunteers made the trek to release patient 125. She immediately found the resident eagle family and landed right next to her new foster sibling. The adult eagles watched her closely, but accepted her. EagleWatch volunteers are keeping an eye on her but report success so far in the release. Though staff will miss her, we were thrilled to see the feisty patient 125 soar into her new wild life!