This Sheriff’s Deputy Has Rescued 19 American Bald Eagles: ‘They Are the Nation’s Bird’

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A sheriff’s deputy, affectionately known as the “Eagle Whisperer,” from Stafford County, Virginia, has made a name for himself after rescuing the 19th injured bald eagle.

Sergeant Anthony McCall, a deputy in the county’s Animal Control Division, said that when he accepted this job, he never thought he would be “going after eagles,” reported WJLA.

“I don’t know if I liked it too much at first, but it’s growing on me,” the sergeant said.

McCall maintains that requests for eagle rescues have gradually increased during his 13 years with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Department. “I didn’t know they were that prevalent,” he said. “They weren’t when I first started but they’re getting more and more every year.”

As such, McCall says that learning how to handle injured eagles is a skill that he’s gradually learning to perfect.

“When you get your hands on them, you get to see how big they are and why they are the nation’s bird,” McCall said. “They are beautiful and very powerful.”

McCall remains humble about his role in each bald eagle rescue, maintaining that the long-term care that each bird receives from Virginia state wildlife and rehabilitation centers is really what deserves recognition. However, the sheriff’s deputy is nonetheless eagerly praised by his local community.

The officer rescued the bald eagle with an injured wing on May 27, 2020. The Stafford County Animal Shelter then took to Facebook to share an update on the eagle’s condition, crediting “Eagle Whisperer” Anthony McCall for yet another job well done.

“Our Eagle Whisperer Sergeant McCall does it again,” the staff wrote. “We received a report about an injured eagle on the train tracks [...] This majestic beauty has an injured wing and was seconds away from being hit by the passing train.”

“Luckily, she was well enough to escape the massive train and it missed her,” they continued. McCall responded swiftly to the call for assistance, captured the injured bird, and safely transported her to the shelter for treatment.

“Wildlife Center of Virginia has accepted her into their facility,” staff posted. “Thank you to everyone involved! Let’s give it up for our Eagle Whisperer.”

Notes from social media users filled the comments section, praising the sheriff’s deputy for another job well done. “Our hometown hero for sure,” one person wrote. “Thank you for always putting yourself in uncomfortable situations to help those that need you most. Keep up the great work! Our town is very lucky to have you in it.”

“She’s so beautiful and fortunate to have so many people looking out for her,” wrote another. “She will be in the best of hands at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.”

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The American bald eagle—Latin name Haliaeetus leucocephalus—is the emblem bird of the United States. According to Audubon, the bird is a formidable predator, but its numbers fell into significant decline during much of the 20th century as a result of shooting and persistent use of pesticides.

The bald eagle is known to observe its prey—mainly fish, smaller birds, and mammals—from a high perch, often beside rivers or reservoirs, before swooping down to surprise the unwitting creature. The bald eagle is now legally protected and its population has increased hugely since the 1970s; the IUCN now categorizes the bird’s healthy population as of “least concern.”

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As for Stafford County’s resident Eagle Whisperer, he continues to champion the majestic bird at his day job.

“Everybody in the office knows if an eagle call comes out, I want to go do it,” McCall told WJLA. “I still get butterflies and I still get excited; it’s an eagle!”