You are connecting from Lake Geneva Public Library, please login or register to take advantage of your institution's Ground News Plan.
Published 3 hours ago • loading... • Updated 3 hours ago
'Miracle' eagle with broken wing spotted back above Scottish coast
The bird has begun developing adult plumage as experts warn older eagles may clash with established pairs.
Kinky, a white-tailed eagle nicknamed for a wing injury, was recently spotted soaring above Mull. The three-year-old bird, once feared unlikely to survive, appears healthy and independent.
Dubbed a 'miracle eagle' by the RSPB, Kinky survived a 2023 nest fall during a storm. His parents provided unprecedented care, skipping a breeding season to tend their injured offspring into adulthood.
RSPB Ambassador Dave Sexton, who monitored Mull's sea eagles for more than 20 years, described the sighting as 'incredible.' Sexton called Kinky a 'truly inspirational eagle' and noted his 'death-defying' start.
Now three years old and developing adult plumage, Kinky has survived his first winter alone. He will not reach sexual maturity until around five years old, a milestone experts are monitoring.
As a sub-adult, Kinky faces potential danger from established pairs seeking his own territory. Experts warn he may encounter aggressive 'you're not welcome here' behavior, though they remain hopeful for the resilient bird.