Second Glen Hazel bald eaglet dies; avian flu suspected and testing nixed

The second and last young bald eagle at the Glen Hazel nest has died.

The youngest sibling at the nest along the Monongahela River, known as GH4, died Sunday, while the second eaglet was also in ill health.

The adult female known as Mom, who has been nesting in Hays and, most recently, in Glen Hazel, was also showing signs of stress.

The eaglet GH3, the first one hatched, died Monday morning at 46 days old, while snuggling up to its dead sibling in the nest.

Officials suspect that the two young birds have died from the avian flu, which has been ravaging eagle and other raptor populations in the state.

"We are all saddened by GH3 and grateful that he or she did not suffer," said Carol Holmgren, the education and rehabilitation partner for the Glen Hazel and U.S. Steel bald eagle nests with PixCams.

She is also the executive director for Tamarack Wildlife Center in Crawford County, which specializes in the rehabilitation of bald eagles.

"It is hard to witness the illness and passing of these eagles," Holmgren said.

"All who watched them develop are grieving and, at the same time, they know the lives of wildlife are challenging, and we're getting a glimpse of the highs and lows of their existence."

In a letter to eagle watchers, she said: "We have been blessed with 100% survivorship of eaglets from the Hays/Glen Hazel eagle nests over the past 14 years, while it is typical for 30% of eaglets to not survive until fledging age."

She also thanked the Glen Hazel moderator team for promptly noticing signs of illness in the chicks and notifying her and the Tamarack team.

She and others monitored the last eaglet Sunday night and noticed a decrease in its respiration rate. By Monday morning, the young bird's condition had deteriorated.

"We are highly suspicious of avian influenza as the cause, given the signs and disease progression. We can't be definitive without testing," Holmgren said.

She has been discussing with the Pennsylvania Game Commission the possibility of accessing the nest to retrieve the young eaglets, but, on Monday, the commission decided not to enter the nest.

"PGC evaluated the situation carefully and considered many factors, including human safety and exposure to potential pathogens," said John Buffone, the commission's press secretary, via email

"Additionally, human intervention could further stress the adult eagles. Any actions must also comply with federal regulations related to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act," he said.

Holmgren added that additional stress to Mom could compromise her immune system.

The commission will reconsider if a safer opportunity presents itself in the future.

There are always risks with tree climbing. The potential presence and exposure of avian flu to humans is another risk, Holmgren said.

In 2025, two eaglets died of the avian flu at the Southwest Florida eagle cam, but both adults survived.

Avian influenza is mutating each year and carries a high mortality rate; however, some are recovering, Holmgren said.

"Certainly, younger eagles have less-developed immune systems than the adults. So we are hopeful that Mom can weather this and regain her health. She is having a stronger appetite and vigor today."

"At Glen Hazel, we cannot guarantee the future of the adults here, but we hope both remain healthy," Holmgren said.

Eagle watchers are heartbroken and have taken to social media to memorialize the two young eaglets.

"Obviously we have to now pray for mom's recovery," said Don German, retired general manager of U.S. Steel Irvin Plant and an eagle educator.

"The Glen Hazel/Hays nest has been a staple for Pittsburgh and across the country. This is very sad news, but we are stronger together and will get through this."

The three eaglets are thriving outside the U.S. Steel Irvin Plant in West Mifflin, he said. Last month, the youngest eaglet swallowed a hook and lure and was rescued. The young bird underwent surgery and was returned successfully to the nest, which can be viewed via a live webcam.

PixCams intends on keeping the Glen Hazel webcam running for education and documentation purposes, said Bill Powers, owner of PixCams.

Given the nest failure, Holmgren is unsure if the adults will remain in the vicinity and nest at the same site next year. "Only time will tell," she said.

Mom, the female eagle, was in her 14th year of breeding in the same area of the Mon River.

Some local photographers, who have been tailing the bald eagles for years, plan to continue following the adult birds during the summer and later in the fall, when the eagles start courtship.

"I plan to keep tabs as long as I can find them. With the leaves, it's not easy," said Dana Nesiti, a longtime photographer from West Homestead.

Nesiti did see both adults on Monday, in person along the Monongahela River and on the webcam.

"They have four or five different spots where they like to fish," he said.

Fellow photographer Dan Dasynich, of Lincoln Place, will also be searching.

"We followed them some years ago when their eggs failed. They usually hang out and prep for the next season," he said. "It's going to be interesting."

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 3:50 PM.