On Saturday, April 27, 2024, a Bald Eagle chick was seen hanging from a branch below its nest, where its parents and two older siblings remained. Concerned citizens notified local authorities, and Sac Metro Fire, Sacramento State Parks, Fish and Game, California Wildlife Encounters and an arborist from Sierra Pacific Tree Services worked together to rescue the eaglet. As the eagle had possible injuries, it was brought to our Wildlife Intake Center, where it received triage care and hungrily ate eight mice upon arrival.
On the morning of April 28, 2024, veterinarian Dr. Vickie Joseph of Bird of Prey Health Group came to do a full exam. It was determined that the baby was almost 4 weeks old at the time of the exam and appeared healthy and uninjured. This was great news, and the ability to renest was quickly under review.
The nest is located near Lake Natoma, in a large gray pine that is located in a precarious position, slanted at a steep angle about 100 feet over rocks and pavement. Additionally, there is concern that the tree may be infested with termites, making the access to the nest even more dangerous. There is also concern that because this baby appears to be significantly smaller than its two older siblings, it is highly likely that they pushed it out (this egg was the last to hatch of the three). Bird of Prey Health Group facilitated a small group meeting that included representatives from California Wildlife Encounters, Sierra Pacific Tree Care, Friends of Lakes Folsom and Natomas, along with others at the site to discuss options.
After reviewing the site and conducting a risk analysis, Bird of Prey Health Group and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife determined that renesting this chick was not safe for humans or the chick as it would likely be pushed out again by the older eaglets.
Today, a representative from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife picked up the eaglet and is transporting it to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care which has a Bald Eagle wildlife ambassador that will help in its rehabilitation. Bald Eagles are social animals, and being raised with their own kind is key to keeping them wild so they can return to life in the wild. While in our care, we had limited interaction with the eaglet, including feeding while wearing camouflage to help prevent imprinting on humans.
We are honored to have played a small part in this eaglet’s care and are thrilled to see how our amazing Northern California Community pulled together to help this little life! We wish Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care all the best in their rehabilitation with this now-famous baby Bald Eagle!
If you’d like to watch the nest where the two older siblings remain, check out FOLFAN’s Lake Natoma Eagle Nest Live Webcam: https://folfaneaglecam.org/
