A wedge-tailed eagle that refuses to fly home has baffled keepers at Sydney's Taronga Zoo. Source: AAP
FLYING higher than an eagle is hard without any wind beneath your wings.
Keepers at Taronga Zoo are baffled why a Wedge-tailed eagle found in Victoria's Dandenong Ranges - a species known for its ruthless ability to hunt in the air - doesn't want to take a flight to freedom.
At first they thought it wasn't able to fly, but now it seems the bird just likes hanging around with people.
"It doesn't want to fly away, which is why the vets thought he was unable to," Taronga Zoo's Mark Williams told AAP on Friday.
"We think it's been in contact with people and has become 'imprinted'."
So rather than release the bird into the wild, where it is unlikely to be able to hunt and survive, Taronga Zoo has trained the young male for its bird show.
"We're getting him used to things and taking him for walks in the zoo," said Matt Kettle, Taronga's bird show supervisor.The Wedge-tail, Australia's largest bird of prey, was found in the suburb of Monbulk.
Vets at the Healesville Sanctuary determined the 12-month-old bird was able to fly but failed to do so when released and was sent to Sydney.
The eagles are known for a wingspan that can reach 2.5 metres, and can fly up to 2000m above the ground using thermal air currents.
Their advanced eyesight also enables them to accurately spot and capture their prey, with special bony rings around their eyes that squeeze the eyeball like a telephoto lens.
Wedge-tailed eagles are also known to confront hang-gliders who are in their territory - a scenario that at least for now seems unlikely for this feathered friend.
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