A white-tailed sea eagle that defied expert expectations by surviving into adulthood despite a severely broken wing has been spotted soaring above Scotland's west coast once again. The bird, affectionately known as Kinky for the distinctive kink in its damaged wing, fell from its nest as a chick during a storm in 2023 on the Isle of Mull. Experts initially believed the injury would prove fatal, yet the male has now been observed three years later with the characteristic bend in its wing clearly visible as it flies over the island.
The RSPB charity dubbed Kinky the Isle of Mull's "miracle eagle" after its remarkable survival. Retired RSPB officer Dave Sexton, who has monitored the island's sea eagle population for more than two decades, expressed his amazement at the latest sighting.
"I'm in awe of this bird!"he said.
How did Kinky survive such a severe injury?
The young eagle's recovery was made possible by an extraordinary commitment from its two white-tailed parents. In an unprecedented display of extended parental care, the pair skipped an entire breeding season to continue nurturing their injured offspring well into what would normally be independence. This level of dedication from sea eagle parents is highly unusual and contributed directly to Kinky's survival through its vulnerable early months.
Where has Kinky been spotted recently?
The bird was photographed flying over Loch Spelve, a sea loch on the south-east coast of Mull. However, Kinky had vanished from view during autumn 2024, prompting concern among conservationists. The eagle reappeared on 1 July 2025 after being missing for months, when a crew member on Mull Charters spotted the bird circling over Forsa in Loch na Keal and confirmed the distinctive wing kink, according to reporting on the sighting. Blair Ketteringham, a crew member of the vessel Lady Jayne, sent the first 2025 sighting to Dave Sexton with the message "He lives!" The eagle was seen on the island of Eorsa in Loch na Keal, where it later landed and briefly interacted with another adult sea eagle.
By July 2025, Kinky was described as "aged three and approaching maturity," according to additional reporting on the bird's status. This latest sighting reveals that the bird successfully survived its first winter alone after its parents ceased their extended care.
What challenges lie ahead for Kinky?
The next phase of Kinky's life as a sub-adult bird could prove dangerous, Sexton warned.
"He'll no longer be tolerated as an immature by established adult pairs and might well come in for some 'you're not welcome here' behaviour, which can be pretty severe sometimes."Territorial adult sea eagles often aggressively challenge younger birds entering their ranges, and such confrontations can result in serious injury or death. Despite these risks, Sexton remains hopeful about the bird's prospects.
"But Kinky's a born survivor; I'm keeping everything crossed for him,"he said.
How did white-tailed eagles return to Scotland?
White-tailed eagles, also known as sea eagles, were hunted to extinction across the United Kingdom. The nation's last native white-tailed eagle was shot in Shetland in 1918. A reintroduction project began in Scotland in 1975, and the birds have since become established as a self-sustaining population. They returned to the Isle of Mull in the 1980s and have flourished there ever since. The island is now widely recognised as a stronghold for the species, with a healthy population of around 35 breeding pairs making sightings common across coastal lochs and inlets.
Kinky's survival and return represent a broader success story for sea eagle conservation in Scotland. The species' recovery demonstrates the effectiveness of long-term reintroduction efforts and the resilience of wildlife when given protection from persecution. The bird's ability to overcome a life-threatening injury and navigate the challenges of establishing itself in a competitive population offers hope for the continued expansion of white-tailed eagles across their former British range.
Key Facts
- Kinky fell from its nest as a chick during a 2023 storm on the Isle of Mull and was not expected to survive its broken wing injury
- The bird's parents provided extended parental care, skipping a breeding season to nurture their injured offspring into adulthood
- After disappearing in autumn 2024, Kinky was rediscovered on 1 July 2025 circling over Forsa in Loch na Keal, confirming its survival
- White-tailed eagles were hunted to extinction in the UK but have been successfully reintroduced to Scotland since 1975
- The Isle of Mull now hosts approximately 35 breeding pairs of white-tailed eagles, making it a major stronghold for the species in Britain
