Bald eagle thought to be hurt was really just 'too fat to fly,' Missouri officials say

[Judi Lynn]

BY MITCHELL WILLETTS
AUGUST 25, 2024 10:42 AM



A bald eagle rescued because it appeared to be injured was actually “too fat to fly,” Missouri officials say. Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.

It turns out an “injured” bald eagle didn’t need to be nursed back to health, Missouri officials say, as the bird was simply suffering from success.

The eagle was temporarily taken into captivity after being spotted at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, park officials said in an Aug. 21 Facebook post. The bird was unable to fly, leading wildlife experts to believe it was hurt.

However, an x-ray soon revealed a surprising and somewhat macabre reason why the eagle was grounded — it had just been eating too well.

“The bird, originally reported to be injured, was found to be healthy but engorged with (raccoon) --- in other words, too fat to fly,” the park said.

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article291445525.html#storylink=cpy

[Lulu KC]

1. Not eating like a bird, I guess

Honestly, I didn't know that could happen.

[Probatim]

2. Birds eat a significant portion of their weight each day.

The link below mentions a few birds and what they consume relative to their body weight:

https://jaysnatureblog.wordpress.com/2015/01/23/eat-like-a-bird-not-what-you-might-think/

My impression is that some of the smaller raptors (e.g., Cooper's Hawk, etc.), eat nearly their body weight each day.

[Lulu KC]

4. I had no idea

Thanks for info

[Lulu KC]

5. Afterthought

The eagle wasn't too fat to fly--just too FULL to fly.

Fat shaming!

[Probatim]

7. He just needed to undo his belt and maybe pop the button on his trousers.

[GiqueCee]

3. Hmmm...

... Maybe that's why I can't fly...

[Lulu KC]

6. I knew there was a joke in there somewhere

You found it!