Aquila - Raising a Golden Eagle
Story added from previous website.
5/31/99
I received this five-week-old Golden Eagle chick in May of 1999. He was found on the ground, very emaciated, with severe wounds to the back on 4/11/99, he was cared for by a rehabilitator in Delta, Colorado, and flown here yesterday. She did a beautiful job caring for the bird-he tripled in size under her care. Upon admission the bird was placed in a kennel facing the "Fugitive," an adult Golden who is recovering quite well from his fractured femur.
Today I examined, cleaned, washed, and preened the bird thoroughly and my photograph exhibits a few problems. The right wing droops, but no fractures were found. The possibility of elbow injury exists, which may not be detectable until the primaries grow. The wing hangs. I placed a very, very loose band of vet-rap around the wing and body to provide light support and encourage the muscles and bone to grow into the proper conformation.
When I look at the photograph I also noticed that the head formation is asymmetrical. Hunger-stress marks are apparent all over the feathers. The tail feathers are twisted and breaking off. Still, what a lovely bird! Has he escaped the relentless pursuit of brother "Cain," who is likely still in the nest? The photo also reveals how much he likes his food. Look at that crop!
I named him Aquila. I will continue my photo essay on his progress.
5/14/99
I left the vet-rap immobilization on him for three days. The light band I put around his wing and body actually became snug - that's how fast he grows! He is now holding his right wing up, but slightly out. Look at those gorgeous ballerina leggings! The feathers are growing well and are becoming shiny. The wounds on his back have healed and there are feathers growing everywhere! There are a few "dandy lion plumes" left on his head. The others are floating all over the ICU. He lives on soft blankets and towels in a 500 Kennel, that is tied onto a cart with wheels. I have an Eagle Stroller! He looks at the Fugitive all day.
Aquila's sudden development was amazing! He was no longer an infant content to eat enormously, sleep, and grow to match his appetite. He outgrew his accommodations rapidly and became bored with life. Even though he vocalized to the eagle in his view, there was nothing else to do but play with his food. He was also taking an intense interest in anything different, such as our fingers when changing his bedding. It was high time to move him outside and provide him with activities. On 5/28/99 I took the last pictures of him in the ICU.
He had changed significantly in appearance. All his body feathers are black now, and only the head remains white, with copper colored feathers growing in. The damaged right wing had resolved itself with support and growth - his wing was functioning properly.
Aquila explored his new home and enjoyed climbing to high places. He found the water container especially intriguing.
Fugitive, the Golden with the fractured femur, went with him into the much larger (20'x10'x12') cage. I rated the temperament of this Golden, believed to be a male, as impatient and restless. This bird needed to move on to the 108-foot flight cage. He did not pay much attention to Aquila, but tolerated him.
On occasion, he would land next to the youngster, Aquila exhibiting submissive posture each time this happened. The fledgling lowered his head in submission and froze in this position when the adult male was close by. It made me uncomfortable. The adult male was moved into the large flight cage, where he seems much more comfortable.
A female golden eagle, Magi, was placed with Aquila on 6-9-99. Magi is about 4 years old, and suffered from a collision with a vehicle. She is blind in one eye, and fractured her wrist, and for some reason refuses to go to high places in the large flight cage. The young bird was intrigued by his new foster parent and eyed her from every angle and direction. Magi is gentle, very beautiful, and has sweet, soft eyes.
Eventually they ended up perching side by side. Aquila (above left) appears to be comfortable in her presence. Later that evening he settled down on another shelf perch for the night. I left them tonight with the good feeling that Aquila may have finally found his role model. Cheers for Magi! Love to beautiful Magi! And a speedy recovery for the Fugitive, who was Aquila's role model for the first weeks in his life.
He is uncomfortable in the presence of humans and I do attribute his behavior to the lack of human contact, and his role model, Magic Magi. He does not appear to be bonded or imprinted on humans. It is my impression that he never wanted to, instead his attitude has always been one of independence. During his recovery he received the necessary care, love and attention when he needed it most. The careful nurturing in his infant days, and the necessary assistance in the healing of his wounds provided him with enough space to develop his own identity. And by all means, he has developed a personality! Like so many other babies I raised, it is often hard to let go. But they are not ours to keep.
I will always recognize him and admire the wide-eyed, innocent, and expressive look in his eyes. Tomorrow he and Magi will join three Bald Eagles and five Golden Eagles in the flight cage. A moment I have anticipated for quite some time.
7/13/99
Today we netted and caught Aquila and moved him into the flight cage. He behaved just like any other eagle I have handled in the past. Afraid, upset and ready to leave human hands for good! He wasted no time to flutter and run to the opposite side of the 108-foot long eagle cage.
When he arrived at the other end of the cage he boldly proceeded to climb the ladder to the highest place in the cage.Then he realized that there were other Goldens present in these high places. Aquila is the eagle on the far right. What a great surprise!
For now he is safe and he will remain here until next spring. He will learn the hierarchy in the cage, find his place, and obey the rules. He will learn to associate with other eagles, and find out when it will be his turn to eat, bathe, or where he will be allowed to perch. From now until his release he will practice pursuing dark colored bunnies in the high grasses that grow in the cage.
The little eagle that was not meant to live survived and will spend his winter here. Some day next spring he will return to the southern parts of Colorado, the place that was his home for such short time in his life. Without the wonderful initial care by Jeanie Carlson, a rehabilitator in Delta, Colorado, he would not have lived.
Many thanks to Michael Maya Charles, who not only flew little Aquila in his private plane from Delta to Erie, but also fell in love with him. For his birthday Michael's wife adopted Aquila for him as a gift. He received a beautiful certificate with a baby picture of Aquila.
Sigrid
Updated by Elke on April 15, 2007 12:24 PM