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The short version

  • A post-mortem examination confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza caused the death of Jackie, a well-known bald eagle from California.
  • The finding surprised experts because eagles are not natural hosts for the virus and no current outbreak exists among raptor populations.
  • Jackie suffered from an unusual presentation of the disease involving severe stomach ulcers and internal bleeding rather than typical respiratory symptoms.

A necropsy conducted on Jackie, the bald eagle who gained widespread attention through a live nest camera in California, has confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza was the cause of her death. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the results in mid-October, resolving a mystery that had baffled veterinarians and wildlife experts since the bird passed away in August after weeks of intensive care at the Ojai Raptor Center.

The diagnosis has caught scientists off guard because bald eagles are not considered natural hosts for the H5N1 virus strain. Typically, raptors contract the illness through contact with infected waterfowl or shorebirds, or by consuming contaminated prey. While bird flu did impact bald eagle populations in 2022, with over three hundred testing positive, there is currently no active outbreak among these birds in the region.

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William Bowerman, a wildlife ecologist at the University of Maryland, noted that the probability of such a case was not anticipated by experts. He pointed out that California had previously declared bird flu no longer impacting its poultry industry earlier in the year. The unexpected nature of Jackie’s illness provided more scientific data than researchers had initially expected from the investigation.

Jackie hatched in Big Bear Valley in 2012 and became an internet sensation during the pandemic when viewers followed her life with her mate, Shadow. The pair raised chicks in the San Bernardino Mountains under the watchful eye of a camera installed by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley. Her death marks a significant loss for the community that tracked her daily activities.

The eagle was taken into care in July after being observed in a ground altercation with two younger eagles. She was unable to fly and appeared severely underweight. Rescue officials noted that while there were no obvious physical injuries from the fight, she was clearly ill. Experts believed she had been suffering for some time before her condition became critical.

The specific symptoms Jackie exhibited were atypical for avian influenza infections in raptors. Steve Kubiski, director of disease investigations at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, explained that the virus caused a severe stomach ulcer leading to persistent internal bleeding, anemia, and bacterial sepsis. This uncommon presentation made it difficult for veterinarians to identify the underlying cause based on clinical signs alone.

Bowerman emphasized that one would not expect bird flu to be the culprit based solely on her physical decline. The unusual progression of the disease underscores the complexity of how H5N1 affects different animal species. While the virus is known to spread among birds and has recently affected mammals like dairy cows, its impact on eagles remains poorly understood.

There is currently no evidence that Shadow or the eaglets are sick. Jackie was cremated following the investigation to prevent any potential transmission of the virus. The case highlights the ongoing threat of avian influenza to wildlife populations across the United States, even in areas where outbreaks were previously thought to be contained.

Meghan Hertel, director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, stated that the story reflects the powerful connection people feel toward iconic birds like Jackie. She expressed gratitude to those who cared for the eagle and noted that understanding the test results is crucial for informing future care and treatment protocols for wildlife.

The bald eagle population in the contiguous United States has quadrupled since 2009, with an estimated 316,700 birds as of 2020. Jackie’s death serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities facing these recovering species. Researchers continue to investigate how she contracted the virus, aiming to fill gaps in knowledge regarding transmission pathways and disease presentation in non-host species.

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Go to the original reporting

  • Smithsonian Magazine↗Wildlife Experts Stunned to Find That Bird Flu Killed Jackie, the Beloved, Internet-Famous Bald Eagle