Wild Bald Eagle Settling in at Miller Park Zoo
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: January 8, 2013
BLOOMINGTON - Miller Park Zoo is all abuzz about a new animal, but it's not one that's part of any exhibit.
"We're enjoying it as much as everyone else is," said zoo superintendent Jay Tetzloff.
A wild bald eagle is starting to call the zoo home. Workers first saw the bird in a tree last Thursday.
It has since been spotted flying over the area and perched high atop bare trees.
The eagle has even swooped down to pay a visit to the zoo's resident bald eagles. That is the one spot where it seems to spend the most time.
No one is quite sure where the bird came from or why it is hanging around Miller Park.
Tetzloff said it's clear the endangered bird is trying to bond with the other two eagles.
The zoo plans on letting the visitor stay as long as it wants so long as it doesn't cause any trouble.
"We've seen her in the eagle exhibit. Our two eagles can't fly, so we keep an eye on them to make sure nothing happens. But they're all equally weaponized, so to speak, so they can defend themselves. It's just making sure no one gets hurt," Tetzloff said.
Tetzloff believes the visiting eagle is a female because it appears larger than most male bald eagles, which is normal.
Its head is also covered with white feathers, so that tells Tetzloff the eagle is mature in age.
Bald eagles are federally protected birds and natives to parts of Illinois, but Tetzloff said it is unusual to see a wild one in Bloomington.
He said it is possible the bird could try and turn a zoo animal into prey or mate with the zoo's male bald eagle.
But both scenarios, he said, are being watched closely.
"We're enjoying it as much as everyone else is," said zoo superintendent Jay Tetzloff.
A wild bald eagle is starting to call the zoo home. Workers first saw the bird in a tree last Thursday.
It has since been spotted flying over the area and perched high atop bare trees.
The eagle has even swooped down to pay a visit to the zoo's resident bald eagles. That is the one spot where it seems to spend the most time.
No one is quite sure where the bird came from or why it is hanging around Miller Park.
Tetzloff said it's clear the endangered bird is trying to bond with the other two eagles.
The zoo plans on letting the visitor stay as long as it wants so long as it doesn't cause any trouble.
"We've seen her in the eagle exhibit. Our two eagles can't fly, so we keep an eye on them to make sure nothing happens. But they're all equally weaponized, so to speak, so they can defend themselves. It's just making sure no one gets hurt," Tetzloff said.
Tetzloff believes the visiting eagle is a female because it appears larger than most male bald eagles, which is normal.
Its head is also covered with white feathers, so that tells Tetzloff the eagle is mature in age.
Bald eagles are federally protected birds and natives to parts of Illinois, but Tetzloff said it is unusual to see a wild one in Bloomington.
He said it is possible the bird could try and turn a zoo animal into prey or mate with the zoo's male bald eagle.
But both scenarios, he said, are being watched closely.
