JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (Aug. 3, 2018) - Army Pfc. Monae Cottingham and Air Force Tech Sgt. Krystie Quintana trim bald eagle One-Eyed Jack's talons recently during his semi-annual examination at the public health Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Section, which falls under Public Health Activity-Fort Lewis.
The examination included obtaining blood samples and beak trimming, as needed. The PHA-FL's animal care specialists are trained in the proper handling of raptors, anatomy and common venipuncture sites, the trimming of talons and beaks on captive birds, and radiology positioning for diagnostic evaluation.
One-Eyed Jack and Notch Wing are the two birds in captivity and under the care of the Elmendorf Eagle Keepers at the base. They have also become the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron's mascots.
• A bald eagle can live up to 30 years in the wild and longer in captivity.
• In 2015, a wild eagle in Henrietta, New York, died at the record age of 38 years old.
• All bald eagles in captivity -- including those at JBER -- can no longer survive in the wild.
• These eagles can fly up to 60 miles per hour and dive at speeds up to 100 miles per hour.
• The eagle eye is among the strongest in the animal kingdom, with an eyesight estimated at four to eight times stronger than that of the average human. An eagle is said to be able to spot a rabbit 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) away. Although an eagle may only weigh 4.5 kg (10 pounds), its eyes are roughly the same size as those of a human.
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