The bald eagle, looking sufficiently annoyed, when it was released after ample time to digest. Photo: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield//Facebook
A bald eagle that was rescued in Missouri recently gave vets a surprise when they examined it.
The eagle, which was spotted near Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, an ironic spot given its relation to American history and what the bird represents to Americans, was reported to be unable to fly. A broken wing was suspected, but when rescuers from the Missouri Department of Conservation managed to capture it and take it to a vet for x-rays, the eagle was, for all intents and purposes, completely fine. Except for one thing: it was very, very full.
“The bird, originally reported to be injured, was found to be healthy but engorged with raccoon,” wrote Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield on Facebook. “In other words, too fat to fly.”
After it digested its enormous meal the eagle was released back into the park. Dickerson Park Zoo, the facility that x-rayed the eagle, released a handful of images that clearly show the raccoon, including an obvious paw.
The eagle wasn’t hurt. It was stuffed with raccoon. Photos: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield//Facebook
It’s likely that the raccoon was roadkill, as eagles do eat carrion, despite their reputation as a fierce hunter.
“Generally speaking, when it comes to food, bald eagles aren’t picky,” The Peregrine Fund wrote. Though they feed primarily on fish, they are also opportunistic, which means if they have a chance to catch something to eat, they will take it! In fact, Bald Eagles will hunt just about anything they can catch, including mammals, such as rabbits and squirrels; birds like ducks, geese and coots; reptiles, including turtles; and amphibians. Bald Eagles also eat carrion, or the remains of dead animals. They can be found along roadsides feasting on road-killed deer or elk, on beaches feeding on washed up seals, otters, or whales, and even hanging out at waste dumps and fish-processing plants in the hope of securing an easy meal.”
It’s thought that the (likely embarrassed) eagle found a dead raccoon and set about eating as much of it as it possibly could. So much that it was unable to take off, and was forced to suffer the indignity of being caught and x-rayed.
