2 bald eagles found with talons locked together in New Madrid County

NEW MADRID COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) – Two bald eagles were found dead with their talons locked together in New Madrid County.

Missouri Department of Conservation Agent Christopher Barnes responded to a report of two dead bald eagles found in a field in rural New Madrid County with their talons locked together.

As a part of their courtship ritual or territorial behavior, bald eagles will engage in ‘talon-grappling’ or interlock talons and tumble down downward out of the sky, typically releasing them before hitting the ground, according to MDC.

Eagles that cannot unlock from each will crash to the ground together which was Barnes says happened to this pair.

“A lot of times with their mating rituals they will lock talons,” said Barnes. “They will fly really high and lock talons and do what they call a death spiral so they just kind of spiral down and fall out of the sky.”

Barnes learned about the birds after someone found them in a field. He says eagles usually unlock talons before they hit the ground but that didnt happen with these two.

“Their grip is really, really strong so sometimes one don’t let go of the other and sometimes they just don’t get apart by the time they get close enough to the ground.”

Which is what he believes happened here. According to Barnes they do this to find a mate.

“It’s what they call the court ship flight so once they do this I guess they’re just trying to determine if its a good enough mate or not,” said Barnes.

Eagles were once on the endangered list, they are not anymore, but they are a federally protected bird so its illegal to harm them. If you ever come across an eagle that is hurt or deceased you should call your local conservation department.

Anyone who finds injured or dead bald eagles us asked to report it to his/her local conservation agent immediately.

Tap here to learn more about this species.