Releasing an Eagle

We here at The Bird Nerd Inc. (mainly me) interrupt our normal programming and posts about the birds that I've been able to see out in the world, in order to announce an exciting development in the life of a wanna-be amateur ornithologist. (Coming up next in the usual posts, the Keel-billed Toucan!)

Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka

I am currently working in Alaska with my brother, Bryce, and our company has been bouncing us back and forth between Juneau and Sitka this summer. Sitka is the home of the Alaska Raptor Center, a fantastic center focused on doctoring injured birds, educating people about these amazing creatures, and when possible, releasing rehabilitated birds back into the wild. The dedicated staff at the Raptor Center teach over thirty thousand people a year about these birds and the mission of the center. I signed up to volunteer there on my days off, learning how to clean out the bird's cages, as well as the most efficient way of cutting up dead rats.

On June 22nd, 2013 (today), I was privileged for the first time to see a mature bald eagle that suffered a fractured wing be released back into the wild. The bird was hooded to keep it calm, and when the time came, the hood was taken off, and the bird took off for the trees. I was able to photograph the event, and was pleased to hear that they would be releasing another bird in another 15 minutes. I asked my tour group if they wanted to stay for the release of the next bird, and they were eager to see another eagle released.

Removing the hood

Releasing the eagle

At the appointed time, we moseyed over towards the release point. On the way back up to the trail where the previous excursion took place, the Raptor Center Director called my name. I hurried over to her, where she ordered me to give my camera, a Nikon D-50 that I've loved for 7 years, to one of the staff. I was momentarily confused, until she said "You're gonna release this next one."

Lila, an Immature Bald Eagle

I almost passed out from excitement. I couldn't believe it. A staff member took me over to an area where I put on a leather jacket and a pair of Xtratuf rain boots. Getting to the appointed area, I was hustled over to a gentleman holding a hooded immature bald eagle known as Lila. Picked up on last December 24th, it is not known exactly what was wrong with her. Some locals reported seeing her lying on the ground for a couple of days, and she was taken to the center where she was given a complete physical examination.

Lila was transferred to my arms, and the transition must have startled her, for she tried to flap her wings and struggled to get away. I quickly learned just how strong these birds are. Despite only weighing 7-14 lbs, eagles are incredibly powerful birds. As gently as possible, two staff helped me get her into a comfortable position, where she calmed back down.

At the appointed time, I squatted down towards a lump of muskeg where we would be releasing her. A staff member untied the hood, and when sure that I was in position, pulled the hood off. With 50 or so people watching, I immediately started to put Lila on the muskeg. Alas, she had other plans. Before I could get her there, she realized that she had been freed, and with a mighty flap, and possibly slightly disoriented, took off and circled towards the boardwalk where tourists and staff were standing with cameras. She quickly figured out that she wanted to get further away from people, not closer, and swooped around and landed in the muskeg fifty ft. away to get her bearings. She sat there for two or three minutes, and then headed towards the tops of the trees and out of sight.

It was an incredible experience, and I will never forget the majesty of seeing a wild creature take off back into the habitat that they belong in. Ours is the duty, when possible, to allow these birds to live in the environment that they were born in. And the dedicated staff at the Alaska Raptor Center made that happen for two beautiful bald eagles here in Sitka, Alaska.

Removing the Hood

Raptor Release

Raptor Returning Home