Eagle Down in St. Petersburg-- Photos

[NewMexiKen]

Barb Walker's report:

Eagle Down

A mature adult Bald Eagle was rescued (Saturday Nov 21) in NE St. Petersburg.  It was very close to PI27 which is Chuck and Dave's nest.  

That team will monitor the nest to see if they are suddenly only seeing one eagle.  The pair had recently mated and we expected incubation soon.  The injury is basically a shoulder injury, perhaps a collision of some kind.  The Bald Eagle is being transferred to Maitland.

Barb Walker

Palm Harbor, FL
= = = = =

Barbara sent this follow-up post with photos:

Many thanks to Michelle and Scott at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary for sharing these photos of the eagle which was rescued yesterday in NE St. Pete.

We all feel pretty sure that this is the male eagle from PI27.  The eagle has a fractured scapula and a small beak fracture.  Many different types of trauma could cause injuries like these, collisions with cars, power lines, or other structures or even an altercation with another eagle.

The eagle has his wing wrapped up for now in Maitland.  We'll know more as he progresses.  

Thanks,

Barb

From: Michelle Simoneau
To: barb walker
Subject: Fwd: Bald eagle, SSS, 11-22-2009

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Scott Patterson
Date: Sun, Nov 22, 2009
Subject: Bald eagle, SSS, 11-22-2009
To: michelle

Michelle,

Attached are some photos of the bald eagle we received today at SSS.  Thought you would want some for the newsletter.  I don't know any of the details about what was wrong with the bird.  You'll need to see Barb for the details.

Scott

Scott Patterson
St. Petersburg, FL

[NewMexiKen]

An interesting follow-up from Barb Walker on the injured St. Petersburg eagle. It appears that no one has seen a second eagle at the Pembroke Pines nest for nearly two weeks-- keep looking and note the presence or absence of the distinguishing mark on the tail feather if you do see one.

We had a second eagle perching with the PI27 female on the cell tower this evening.    We do not know if this is the  original mate or new mate.  It was perched lower, but it was raining very hard at the time.

It is possible that the eagle which went down this weekend was an intruder in that territory and was injured when being chased out of the territory.  It is also possible that it is the original mate and he ran into something, perhaps even the tower, while chasing an intruder.  It's really hard to say for sure but these are things one might speculate could happen at this time of year.  

The male eagle in Maitland started eating on his own yesterday.  He had some parasites and anemia.  Many of the eagle watchers who have been watching a pair for a long time are able to tell if there is a mate change several ways; distinguishing mark, ageing by the tail, size difference, bonding behavior. Sometimes new mates won't perch together in the same places as they perched before.  

I'm sure the observations will be very interesting. Many thanks to Chuck and Dave for their diligence.

Barb Walker

Palm Harbor, FL

[Trisha]

I sure hope the healing goes well with the eagle.....how wonderful to have a facility able to take care of these sorts of injuries and concerned citizens that care and get help for the injured bird. The photos are amazing and the size of the talons really stood out to me. I hope we can continue to follow the recovery and return of this eagle to its mate and their nest.

[NewMexiKen]

Again, from Barb--

OSPREY RESCUE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Barb Walker

Palm Harbor, FL

[Barb Walker]

The pair is currently incubating.  We aren't 100% sure if it is the original pair or a new mate.  Meanwhile, the eagle which was injured is being released today, Saturday, December 19th in Brooksville.  Far from PI27 in St. Petersburg.  Watchers will be weary to see if this eagle returns to area and what the final outcome will be.  We hope the handsome, male eagle which was rescued will like Brooksville where there are fewer eagles to tassle with and settle down there.  Meanwhile, we think the territory disputes will continue in Pinellas with so many eagles and so much loss of habitat.