Grounded Immature Bald Eagle Rescued Along Calais Riverfront
Jayna Smith
A juvenile bald eagle found itself in an unusual perch Sunday morning — sitting quietly on a bench along the Calais Riverfront Walkway. The young bird, spotted on Sunday, June 13, appeared unable or unwilling to fly.
Bald eagles, a powerful symbol of American wildlife, are no strangers to Maine skies. Once on the brink of extinction, their population has rebounded dramatically in recent decades due to conservation efforts. The Bald Eagle was removed from the Federal endangered species list in 2007 and from the Maine endangered species list in 2009, and today, Maine is home to more than 750 nesting pairs, many of which reside along rivers, lakes, and coastal waters where food is abundant and tree cover is ideal for nesting.
This time of year, eaglets are beginning to test their wings. However, not all fledgling attempts are successful on the first try. Game Warden Brad Richard, who was contacted after the bird was discovered, suspects that this one seemed to be an immature eagle that simply couldn't fly yet. Richard said he had recently picked up another young eagle in the Topsfield area with the same issue.
Eaglets typically leave the nest between 10 to 13 weeks of age. During this fledgling period, some end up on the ground or in precarious locations after failed flight attempts. Without the strength or coordination to return to their nest, they can become vulnerable to predators, weather, or starvation if not rescued.
Game Warden Alan Curtis responded to the scene and carefully captured the young eagle. Curtis noted that the bird was likely a fledgling from this year’s hatch, not yet fully developed for sustained flight.
The eagle was safely transported to Avian Haven, a well-known bird rehabilitation center in Freedom, Maine, where it will receive care and, with time, flight training in a protected environment.
Avian Haven staff will evaluate the eagle’s health and monitor its development. Once it's strong enough to fly and survive on its own, the bird will be released back into the wild — likely not far from where it was found.
Officials remind residents that if they encounter wildlife that appears injured or in distress, it's best not to intervene directly. Instead, contact a game warden or wildlife professional for guidance.
