Bald Eagle Feared Injured Turns Out to Be Healthy, Just 'Too Fat to Fly' After Big Meal

Mar. 15, 2025

Stock image of a bald eagle.Photo:THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP via Getty

THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP via Getty

Wildlife officials worried that a bald eagle found on the ground near Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield in Missouri was injured, but they later discovered the bird was just walking off a hefty meal.

“The bird, originally reported to be injured, was found to be healthy but engorged with raccoon,” officials shared in the post, adding: “In other words, too fat to fly.”

Local news outletsKAKE,KOMU,and theKansas City Starreported on the incident.

Based on the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield post, wildlife officials took the bald eagle for x-rays at Dickerson Park Zoo when they thought the bird was injured.

The x-rays showed no injuries but revealed that the eagle appeared to have recently consumed a whole raccoon, presumably roadkill. Images shared on Facebook show the raccoon paw that appeared on the eagle’s X-ray and an X-ray of the bird’s bloated stomach.

According to the post, once the bald eagle recovered from the feast and was deemed fit enough to return home, “the eagle was released near where it was found and in compliance with federal and state laws.”

This isn’t the first time a wild bird overindulged. In January 2020, anobese owl was put on a strict diet.

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The owl, nicknamed Plump, was rescued from a ditch in early 2020 and weighed a “rather chunky” 245 grams. Luckily, after a sanctuary regulated her food intake, the owl was healthy enough to spread its wings and fly.

According to theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(FWS), if someone ever discovers an injured bald eagle, they should report their findings to FWS law enforcement immediately.

source: people.com