Feeding a Wild Bald Eagle in Canada

This is amazing! While I was in Canada fishing, I learned from the guy that ran the lodge that he had been feeding a wild bald eagle somewhere on the lake for the past several months, so I found out where the eagle was and I fed him myself. They think the eagle is just old and can't hunt for himself, the guy said the eagle stays on that rock and never leaves it. I just brought along a bucket of minnows and my video camera...I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined that I'd ever be able to get that close to a wild bald eagle!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• wild
• bald eagle
• nature
• canada
• wilderness
• eagle
• bird
• endangered

[asazisc]

I work with bald eagles, and we have one that is too used to humans. She will most likely die because she cannot be released into the wild.

This particular eagle should have been reported to authorities, or you should have called a wildlife rehab center.

Eagles are DANGEROUS. You should not try to touch them.

Honestly, have a little respect for a wild, majestic creature.

[wfdowns3]

@asazisc I know this is a late reply, but I just wanted to tell you that I didn't think I was doing anything wrong. I was on vacation with my family and the guy that ran the lodge told me about the eagle and said he was old and that he had been feeding it. He said he had reported it to some rehab place or what have you, but for whatever reason they wouldn't take him. I didn't get involved with that as I was there for a week and leaving, but I trusted he was telling me the truth.

[wfdowns3]

@asazisc As for feeding him, I just thought it would be a neat experience and didn't feel I was hurting anything, although probably wasn't the smartest thing on my part as he could have taken a finger off. Being the fact that the guy had been feeding, I figured I would be ok, and it turned out I was, thankfully. Anyways, I really wasn't trying to do any harm and I wish I could have done something with the eagle, because it was a beautiful bird and I would hate to see anything happen to it.

[asazisc]

@wfdowns3 I know you weren't meaning any harm, and I wasn't trying to imply that you were, sorry. He is too old to be imprinted on humans (when a young bird has been around humans and think so them as his caretakers instead of other eagles). I guess I just had to say something, though - sadly, people actually try to take in eagles, not knowing what they are doing. Not trying to say that's what you did, but I kind of had to make sure.

[wfdowns3]

@asazisc I do appreciate the comment though, and the work you do with eagles, they are amazing creatures, and sadly if the eagle is still around, I am sure if the wrong person comes around, it could be mistreated as it doesn't have much of any way to defend itself (from what I could tell). But to reassure you, I didn't take him home to keep as a pet, I promise. :) That would be a bit crazy. I do hope that the right people were notified and eventually took in the eagle, it deserves more.

[wfdowns3]

@asazisc As for feeding him, I just thought it would be a neat experience and didn't feel I was hurting anything, although probably wasn't the smartest thing on my part as he could have taken a finger off. Being the fact that the guy had been feeding, I figured I would be ok, and it turned out I was, thankfully. Anyways, I really wasn't trying to do any harm and I wish I could have done something with the eagle, because it was a beautiful bird and I would hate to see anything happen to it.

[crownvic1776]

screw everyone thats hating on you. that would be cool. he was prolly old or hurt or something and needed the help. he prolly died later but atleast he had a full belly.

[tiffyj85]

looks like something's wrong with his wing.. should of got him some help..

[snakeEyes4121]

im sure it has died by now... either that or its at some zoo somewhere

[asazisc]

@wfdowns3 Yeah... it's true that the bird could end up mistreated if the wrong person comes around - I hope for the bird's sake that that doesn't happen.

Lol, yeah - the people who do things like take in eagles they can't care for are often nuts - not trying to label anyone, but sometimes they end up doing things that are totally nuts.

Yeah, I guess you never heard from the bird again? I hope he found somewhere to help him, too.

[asazisc]

@asazisc Please excuse the second post - I wasn't sure if the first one got posted or not. XD

[asazisc]

@wfdowns3 Yeah, I wasn't trying to imply anything - it's just that too often, people try to take in eagles and they do more harm than good. (Yeah, people actually try to take in eagles.) Not trying to accuse you of doing that, but I had to make sure. He is too old to be imprinted on humans (that happens when they are really young, though it affects them for life) - at least, not by you. Eagles can be very dangerous, though.

It's sad there was nowhere the eagle could be taken, though. :(