Washington's Eagle: A Bird Lost to History

By Cade Shadowlight

 

In the annals of ornithology, few tales evoke as much intrigue and controversy as that of the Washington's Eagle, also known as the Bird of Washington or Falco washingtonii. Documented by the legendary naturalist John James Audubon in the early 19th century, this colossal raptor has since vanished from the skies, leaving behind a trail of speculation, skepticism, and sorrow. Was it a genuine new species that slipped into extinction? Or did Audubon, despite his expertise, misidentify a familiar bird or even fabricate the story for notoriety? Audubon's Encounter: A Majestic DiscoveryThe story begins in 1814 along the banks of the Mississippi River, where Audubon claimed to have first spotted this awe-inspiring bird. He described it as a true giant among raptors: standing 3 feet 7 inches tall with an astonishing wingspan of 10 feet 2 inches, far surpassing the bald eagle (typically 6-7.5 feet wingspan) or golden eagle (up to 7.5 feet). Audubon, ever the patriot, named it after George Washington, likening its noble bearing and "terror-of-foes" demeanor to the Founding Father himself. 

Plate 11.

This wasn't a one-off sighting. Audubon reported observing the bird on several occasions and even shot one in Kentucky to study it up close. His vivid depiction graced Plate 11 of his masterpiece, The Birds of America, immortalizing the eagle in exquisite detail (Amazon link). Audubon and his contemporaries (others also claimed to see or shoot it) sent several specimens to prestigious museums in London, Philadelphia, and Boston. Tragically, these specimens were lost, destroyed, or otherwise vanished over time. Without physical evidence, the Washington's Eagle faded into legend, with no definitive sightings reported since Audubon's era.The Debates: Misidentification, Fraud, or Forgotten Species?Ornithologists and historians have long debated the bird's legitimacy, offering three primary theories. The misidentification hypothesis: Critics suggest Audubon simply mistook a juvenile bald eagle for something new. Young bald eagles lack the iconic white head and tail, appearing more uniformly brown, which might explain the confusion. However, Audubon was no novice; he spent his life immersed in the wilderness, documenting hundreds of bird species with meticulous accuracy. He knew juvenile bald eagles intimately and would have recognized their hallmarks. Besides, a juvenile bald eagle lacks the extraordinary size that Audubon claimed.  The fraud angle: Some accuse Audubon of inventing the bird to boost his fame. In an era when naturalists vied for recognition, a sensational discovery could elevate one's reputation. Yet, this too falls flat. By the time of his Washington's Eagle claims, Audubon was already an established and  well-respected figure in scientific circles, not a newbie desperate for attention. He had much more to lose than to gain with a fake claim. His body of work stands as a testament to integrity and expertise, not deceit. A real species that went extinct: This theory suggest Washington's Eagle was a real species that simply went extinct shortly after discovery. My opinion is that this theory aligns best with the evidence and circumstances. The early 19th century was a time of rapid habitat destruction in North America, with forests cleared for agriculture and settlements. A bird as large and specialized as the Washington's Eagle might have had a tiny population to begin with, making it vulnerable to overhunting, environmental changes, or disease. Audubon's documentation could represent the last glimpses of a species on the brink, blinking out before science could fully catalog it.Echoes in Folklore and Modern Sightings  Adding layers to the mystery are sporadic reports of "giant birds" that persist to this day. These accounts often get bundled into cryptozoological lore, particularly the legendary Thunderbird of Native American folklore. Could some of these sightings be remnants of the Washington's Eagle? Consider the chilling 1977 incident in Lawndale, Illinois, where 10-year-old Marlon Lowe was reportedly snatched by a huge raptor. Witnesses described two enormous birds, one grabbing the boy by his shoulders and lifting him 35 feet before dropping him. Lowe, now an adult, has steadfastly maintained the story in interviews, displaying scars he attributes to the bird's talons. While skeptics dismiss it as exaggeration or misremembered trauma, the details like immense size and predatory behavior, echo both Native American Thunderbird legends and Audubon's descriptions.  Other "giant bird" reports dot the historical record, suggesting that if the Washington's Eagle existed, it might still lurk in remote pockets, far from human eyes. These tales hint at a bird not entirely lost but profoundly elusive. Extinction is a grim but plausible fate, yet extreme rarity offers a sliver of hope. In a world where species like the ivory-billed woodpecker are "rediscovered" after decades of presumed absence, the Washington's Eagle could still soar somewhere, unseen.

 

Cade Shadowlight 

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