Amazing Free-Flying Bald Eagle "Challenger" (AEF)

Named in honor of the lost space shuttle crew, "Challenger" has performed free-flights during the USA's National Anthem at hundreds of events coast to coast—raising substantial public awareness for the Bald Eagle protection cause. He is the first Bald Eagle in American history trained to free-fly during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. He has helped educate millions of people about the need to protect the USA's National Bird.

• Category

  Pets & Animals

[BaldEagleInfo]

Osceola is one of the birds we have at the American Eagle Foundation. Challenger and Osceola live at the same facility (the American Eagle Foundation)in Pigeon Forge, TN along with many other non-releasable eagles and other birds of prey. You can see the Osceola video on our website (eagles.org) and also on our YouTube channel.

[BaldEagleInfo]

Challenger's nest was blown from the tree (in Louisiana) about 20 years ago -- a fisherman happened by in a boat, saw the nest down with the parents flying up above. At that time, Challenger was about 5 weeks old. The fisherman rescued the baby, cared for him and then tried to release him when he was old enough, but Challenger did not know how to take care of himself because he was human-imprinted.

[LIGHTYEARS20085AD]

brings tears to my eyes. if you serve or have served then i think you know how and what i feel. NOT" My country right or wrong" but how great my counrty can be. With that in mind we can countinue to strive to be the best Nation in the World. USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[4qkij]

OMG!!! i love bald eagles they are so awesome! and he is 19 years old.

[SkyGoddess1948]

If you think this is great you need to see the Eagles @ Dollywood in Tennessee. Osceola is my favorite...I cried the first time I saw only one wing.....there is a neat video of the trainer that took Osceola for a flight...changed him forever. Osceola is a learning tool for the American Eagle Foundation. The story of this bird is amazing as are the stories of the others living & breeding in East Tennessee.

[parakeet8157]

GR8 Vid! Good way to help raise awareness.

[randommagnum]

That bird leads an interesting life. Real neat thing going there, a catalyst of patriotism.

[steph881156]

I love this message and tribute to our nations Bird. I live in northern Iowa and today I saw one here. What an amazing creature to see up close and just sitting in a tree. When I was taking a picture of it it just sat there and looked around not even caring I was around. What a site. I also saw a hawk just moments before seeing the Eagle. What a nation we can be so proud of.

[superqbnrt]

I love this video . God Bless the USA

[Fanik8]

He also did a flight at the 2002 mls cup in Foxboro, Ma. I know I was there!!

[Petecpa]

Very Interesting

[pedrolegion]

GOD BLESS AMERICA

I LOVE BALD EAGLE

[featherproject]

What a majestic bird! We used the Bald Eagle in an animation for our Feather Project trailer that is inspired by Native American Leader Chief Oren Lyons, feel invited to check it out...