Resilient white-tailed eagle Kinky seen soaring over Mull three years after wing injury
A white-tailed eagle nicknamed Kinky, which survived a broken wing as a chick, has been observed flying over Mull again at age three.
Kinky, a white-tailed eagle with a distinctive wing kink, survived a dramatic fall from his nest as a chick in July 2023, when experts feared he would not live. Defying expectations, he fledged and the following year was observed at a different nest where his parents continued to feed him, a first for the species. In July 2025 he was seen soaring above Eorsa in Loch na Keal, and he has now reappeared over Loch Spelve on Mull, thrilling local nature enthusiasts.
At three years old, Kinky is beginning to develop adult plumage, including the species-characteristic white tail. He will not reach breeding age until around five, but as he matures he is likely to encounter competition for mates and territory, which can be hazardous. The sighting underscores the success of Scotland's 1975 eagle reintroduction program, which has established a self-sustaining population.
Why it matters
The eagle's recovery highlights the success of conservation efforts and the challenges young birds face as they mature.
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