Bald Eagle

Although they are the U.S.’s national bird, bald eagles were once threatened with extinction due to poaching, habitat loss, and exposure to pesticides such as DDT. Widely used as an agricultural insecticide, DDT began affecting eagles through a process called bioaccumulation; the chemical was consumed by insects, which were eaten by small birds and fish, which were in turn eaten by apex predators like eagles. In each stage of the food chain, the concentration of toxins increased. High concentrations caused eagles to lay eggs with thin, fragile shells that broke under the weight of their parents. Luckily, with federal protection, the creation of the EPA, and the banning of DDT in 1972, bald eagles have rebounded dramatically and are now a common sight along the Rogue River. They were fully removed from the Endangered Species list in 2007.

Immature bald eagles don’t acquire the iconic white head and tail until they’re around 3-5 years of age. Although they are powerful hunters, bald eagles are also notorious thieves and scavengers, often taking fish from other raptors such as Osprey. In regions like Alaska, where bald eagles are quite common, they also often scavenge for food in junk yards. 

Defiance (M) Hatched: April 11, 1999 | Arrived: January 16, 2002

Defiance was raised in human care for the purpose of serving as an educational ambassador for his species. Originally used in flight shows at Wildlife Safari, he was transferred to Wildlife Images after that program was discontinued.

Fury (F) Hatched: Spring 2023 | Arrived: April 2024

Fury was brought to us after being deemed non-releasable by the Bird of  Prey Health Group rehabilitation center in Roseville, CA. At just under a year old, Fury received a compound fracture of the right radius/ulna and it didn’t heal well enough for her to be released. Her current trainer began glove training with her in April 2025.