800th Bald Eagle Released from Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

On Friday, November 21, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey released the 800^th rehabilitated Bald Eagle into the wild since the Center opened in 1979. Florida House Representative Jennifer Canady (District 50) was chosen to carry and release the bird at a ceremony on private property in Sorrento, located in Lake County.

The eagle, patient #2025-701, arrived at the Raptor Trauma Clinic from Seminole County on October 11, having sustained injuries in a territory fight with another eagle: soft tissue wounds on the left wing, abrasions on the feet, and bruising on the chest. The bird also tested positive for lead poisoning, a common cause of illness in Bald Eagles and other raptors that occurs when the bird is exposed to lead-contaminated wastewater or eats a carcass of an animal shot with lead bullets. So far this year, the Center for Birds of Prey has released 30 Bald Eagles back to the wild. The milestone 800^th Bald Eagle comes less than three years after the Center celebrated its 700^th Bald Eagle release in January 2023.

“Eagles are symbols of resilience and recovery. To be able to release the 800th rehabilitated Bald Eagle into the wild is a significant conservation achievement,” says Katie Warner, Director of the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. “Like people, these birds depend on places with clean water and healthy ecosystems to call home. Audubon, through conservation actions, advocacy, rehabilitation, and education contributes to protecting the places these birds need,” she adds.

Bald Eagles were removed from the federal list of Threatened and Endangered Species in 2007. Though they remain protected by both state and federal laws, they still face threats to their survival. Common threats include habitat and nest destruction, collision with vehicles, poisoning, and territory fights. Additionally, with loss of habitat due to continued land development, many eagles are choosing to nest on man-made structures such as power lines and communication towers. These non-natural nest sites can present hazards to the young eaglets when they fledge.

Many injured eagles that arrive at the Raptor Trauma Clinic are found by volunteers with Audubon EagleWatch, a community science program based at the Center. More than 700 EagleWatch volunteers monitor 1,300+ Bald Eagle nests in 53 counties each year. Though the purpose of the program is to monitor Bald Eagle breeding outcomes each nesting season, EagleWatch volunteers are often also the first line of defense in protecting nests and eagles from disturbances and rescuing those that are injured or sick.

In its 33-year history, EagleWatch data and observations have prompted additional nest protections from both federal and state wildlife agencies. Once on the brink of extinction, Florida’s eagle population has made an amazing recovery and is now considered stable, with approximately 2,500 nesting pairs.

The Center’s Raptor Trauma Clinic has treated 770 raptors so far this year, including eagles, hawks, and owls. Those that survive are either released where they were found or placed at zoos and other properly licensed facilities nationwide. The Center is also home to more than 30 ambassador raptors. It is currently closed for the construction of a brand-new aviary to house three species of owl. It is expected to reopen to the public in February 2026. The Center’s Raptor Trauma Clinic remains open and is accepting patients.