California bald eagle Jackie died of bird flu, officials say

Jackie, a bald eagle from Big Bear Valley, California, died from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), according to a news release from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The results of a necropsy and additional diagnostic testing were released on October 14, 2026, confirming the primary underlying cause of the eagle's death in August.

Medical Findings

The necropsy was performed by veterinary pathologists at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Steve Kubiski, the disease investigations director at the alliance, stated that the virus presented in an unusual way. "In an uncommon presentation of the virus, the infection caused a severe ulcer in her stomach that led to persistent internal bleeding, anemia, and the development of bacterial sepsis," Kubiski said in the news release.

The testing revealed that Jackie suffered from chronic disease involving the ventriculus, or gizzard. The damaged tissue contributed to ongoing blood loss and severe anemia, which allowed bacteria to enter her body. The CDFW noted that severe inflammation and blood clot formation were also found in her heart and major blood vessels. Follow-up testing confirmed the presence of HPAI virus genetic material in several tissues, including the ulcerated stomach tissue.

Toxicology and Other Tests

Additional testing ruled out other potential causes for Jackie's decline. She tested negative for West Nile Virus, and heavy metals, including lead, were within acceptable limits. Toxicology screening did detect brodifacoum, an anticoagulant rodenticide, in her liver. However, the necropsy did not find the uncontrolled bleeding typically associated with this poison. Consequently, the CDFW stated that brodifacoum was not identified as the primary cause of illness or death.

Chris Eksteen, the executive director of the Ojai Raptor Center, where Jackie was treated for ailments including anemia, said the results clarified her medical history. "The necropsy results have helped connect many of the findings we were seeing throughout the eagle’s hospitalization," Eksteen said.

Impact on the Big Bear Valley Pair

Jackie and her mate, Shadow, were monitored by a live camera feed installed by the non-profit Friends of Big Bear Valley in 2015. The pair had occupied a nest in the San Bernardino Mountains for over a decade, becoming a symbol of bald eagle recovery in the region. The CDFW stated that there is no evidence that Shadow or their eaglets are ill.

To prevent the transmission of the virus, Jackie’s remains were cremated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Eagle Repository. CDFW Director Meghan Hertel noted that the case highlights the connection between people and wildlife. "Understanding the results of these tests is an important part of learning from this case and can help inform the care and treatment of other eagles and wildlife in the future," Hertel said.

Why it matters

The death of Jackie underscores the ongoing threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza to raptors. While waterfowl are natural hosts for the virus, eagles can be exposed through contact with infected birds or by consuming infected prey. The case provides veterinary specialists with data on how HPAI can manifest in complex ways, such as through gastrointestinal ulcers and secondary infections, which may inform future treatment protocols for wild birds.

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Sources

• cp24.com: Jackie the California bald eagle died of bird flu
• wildlife.ca.gov: CDFW News | Necropsy Provides New Information About Beloved Bald Eagle Known as Jackie

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.