Jessica Schonegg applies eye drops to a bald eagle that flew through a glass window in Jackson Hole. Rescuers took the injured bird to the Teton Raptor Center where it is expected to recover. (Angus M. Thuermer, Jr./WyoFile)

A raptor rehabilitation expert who rescued a bald eagle after it flew through a glass window in Jackson Hole this week discovered she had an almost-ancient aviator in her hands. The bird was 30 years old.

Meghan Warren from the Teton Raptor Center captured the bird Tuesday after it flew through a double-paned window and crashed onto the fly-tying desk of Reed Moulton. Moulton thought the bird had died, but after a few minutes it stood up and perched among Moulton’s hooks and feathers.

“When [Moulton] said ‘it’s in my bedroom,’ I was really surprised,” Warren told WyoFile. She collected the bird, which was alert and feisty by the time she arrived.

As she carried it off to a vehicle, another eagle circled overhead calling.

Rescuers believe it was the injured eagle’s mate.

A band on the rescued bird’s right leg revealed that it had been banded in the Yellowstone Ecosystem in the spring of 1989 and is 30 years old. The Exxon Valdez spilled its cargo in Prince William Sound that year, Mike Sullivan was the governor and the B52s released the hit “Love Shack.”

The average lifespan for a bald eagle in the wild is 20 years, Raptor Center said in a release.

The Raptor Center in 2016 rescued another bald eagle that is the oldest ever documented west of the Mississippi. It was 34 years old. The oldest documented nationwide, found in New York City, was at least 38.

The rescued eagle had injuries and cuts to both feet, both wings and an abrasion on its right eye. It also showed signs of a concussion.

“I would have expected it to have more lacerations,” given the shattered glass and detritus at the crash scene Warren said.

It weighs 8.8 pounds and is likely a male, according to measurements. Rescuers are treating the bird in an oxygen chamber as it recuperates.

Blood tests ruled out lead poisoning, sometimes an underlying factor in raptor injuries. Raptors can ingest lead from hunter-killed game, leading to crippling infirmities.

Support WyoFile photography with a tax-deductible donation today

The bird had no broken bones but a veterinarian discovered an ulna – a bone that corresponds to one found in the lower arm of people — that had healed from a break.

“The goal is to eventually release this eagle back where it came from so that it can be reunited with its mate and have a successful breeding year,” the center said in a statement. The bird is the third admitted to the center’s rehabilitation clinic in 2020.

Angus M. Thuermer Jr. is the natural resources reporter for WyoFile. He is a veteran Wyoming reporter and editor with more than 35 years experience in Wyoming. Contact him at angus@wyofile.com or (307)...

Join the Conversation

1 Comment

WyoFile's goal is to provide readers with information and ideas that foster constructive conversations about the issues and opportunities our communities face. One small piece of how we do that is by offering a space below each story for readers to share perspectives, experiences and insights. For this to work, we need your help.

What we're looking for: 

  • Your real name — first and last. 
  • Direct responses to the article. Tell us how your experience relates to the story.
  • The truth. Share factual information that adds context to the reporting.
  • Thoughtful answers to questions raised by the reporting or other commenters.
  • Tips that could advance our reporting on the topic.
  • No more than three comments per story, including replies. 

What we block from our comments section, when we see it:

  • Pseudonyms. WyoFile stands behind everything we publish, and we expect commenters to do the same by using their real name.
  • Comments that are not directly relevant to the article. 
  • Demonstrably false claims, what-about-isms, references to debunked lines of rhetoric, professional political talking points or links to sites trafficking in misinformation.
  • Personal attacks, profanity, discriminatory language or threats.
  • Arguments with other commenters.

Other important things to know: 

  • Appearing in WyoFile’s comments section is a privilege, not a right or entitlement. 
  • We’re a small team and our first priority is reporting. Depending on what’s going on, comments may be moderated 24 to 48 hours from when they’re submitted — or even later. If you comment in the evening or on the weekend, please be patient. We’ll get to it when we’re back in the office.
  • We’re not interested in managing squeaky wheels, and even if we wanted to, we don't have time to address every single commenter’s grievance. 
  • Try as we might, we will make mistakes. We’ll fail to catch aliases, mistakenly allow folks to exceed the comment limit and occasionally miss false statements. If that’s going to upset you, it’s probably best to just stick with our journalism and avoid the comments section.
  • We don’t mediate disputes between commenters. If you have concerns about another commenter, please don’t bring them to us.

The bottom line:

If you repeatedly push the boundaries, make unreasonable demands, get caught lying or generally cause trouble, we will stop approving your comments — maybe forever. Such moderation decisions are not negotiable or subject to explanation. If civil and constructive conversation is not your goal, then our comments section is not for you. 

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Thanks for that one.
    We watch a Bald Eagle pair year-round
    and feel deep concern for the mate.
    What a great rescue and brilliant effort from Meghan.
    Cheers!

    Reply