32-year-old bird oldest documented specimen
The bald eagle found on a New Brunswick highway this year turned out to be the oldest documented specimen of its kind. The bird was hit by a car in April, but after biologists investigated a metal tracking ring on its leg they were able to trace it back to a 1977 bird-branding program that took place in Maine. They found the bird was a record-setting 32 years old. Scientists were encouraged by the discovery of the road kill: they say that it indicates that the bald eagles are living longer and healthier lives.