**Trump Misidentifies Israeli Falcon as U.S. Bald Eagle in Anti‑Wind‑Turbine Post**

Breaking: Trump Posts Photo Miscaptioned as Bald Eagle; Fact-Check Traces Image too Israel, Not U.S. Emblem

In a late-december post on Truth Social, a sitting or former president shared a photo he said showed wind turbines harming bald eagles, using teh caption: “Wind turbines are killing all our gorgeous eagles!” The image, however, is not a bald eagle and was taken years ago outside the United States.

The post appeared on a platform used by the former president to air policy criticisms, including opposition to wind energy. The image shows a bird of prey near wind turbines and was accompanied by a claim that the turbines are wiping out America’s emblematic eagle.

AFP and other fact-checkers traced the photograph to an Israeli publication and noted it does not depict a bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States. An AFP review found that the photo was published in 2017 by Haaretz and attributed to the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority. Hebrew inscriptions are visible on the wind turbine base in the image.

PHOTO CREDIT: HAARETZ ARCHIVES

A falcon near wind turbines

According to the AFP inquiry, Haaretz identified the bird as a falcon and linked the image to the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority. The wind turbine evidence in the shot also bears Hebrew markings, reinforcing its non-U.S. origin.

The shared image circulated with a screenshot of a Truth Social post alleging that “Sleepy Don” does not recognize the national emblem of America. Critics from both major parties pressed for accuracy, noting that the eagle’s silhouette on stamps, currency, and military insignia is distinct from the bird shown in the photo.

Experts point out that the species pictured is not the bald eagle. The bald eagle is typically identified by a white head and a large, pale body, while the bird in the image is darker and smaller in appearance.

Experts also caution that wind-energy projects have an impact on bird populations. MIT researchers have noted that wind-turbine related bird deaths represent a fraction of total bird fatalities from other causes, such as buildings and cats. The MIT clarification came in 2023 as part of ongoing assessments of wind-energy impacts.

Fact	Details
Platform	Truth Social post by the former president
Image origin	Israel; Haaretz,2017; attributed to the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority
Symbol accuracy	Not a bald eagle; image shows a darker bird
Caption claim	Alleges wind turbines kill all bald eagles
Public reaction	Criticism from elected officials across parties; calls for image verification
context on wind-energy impact	MIT notes wind-turbine deaths are a minority of overall bird fatalities; other causes are more significant

evergreen insights: why this matters beyond a single post

In an age of rapid social-media sharing,miscaptioned or miscaptioned images can shape public perception before facts catch up. This episode underscores the need for rigorous image verification, especially when the visuals touch on sensitive symbols and policy debates, such as national emblems and energy strategy.

Wind energy remains a crucial component of climate and energy policy. While birds are affected by turbine sites, researchers emphasize that mortality is relatively small in the broader context of North american avian threats. Readers may consult authoritative sources on wind-energy impacts for a more complete understanding of the issue.

For more, see reports from established outlets and scientific institutions that corroborate or challenge claims about wildlife and wind energy, including coverage from major wire services and university research communications.

What this means for readers

Engage with visual content critically. before sharing, verify the image’s origin, symbols depicted, and any captions that accompany it. Cross-check with credible outlets to separate fact from rumor.

Question for readers: Do you think political figures should verify the authenticity of images before posting? How can social platforms improve rapid verification without stifling free expression?

Question for readers: How should policymakers balance wind-energy advancement with wildlife protections, given the latest research on bird mortality?

Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments, and follow along for updates as investigations continue.

“U.S. bald eagle” allegedly killed by a wind turbine.

Trump’s Anti‑Wind‑Turbine Post: The Photo at the Center of the Controversy

Key claim: Former President Donald Trump posted an image of a soaring bird, labeling it a “U.S. bald eagle” allegedly killed by a wind turbine.

Fact‑check outcome: Ornithologists and independent fact‑checking groups identified the bird as a falcon native to Israel, not a bald eagle.

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1. The Original Social‑Media Post

• Platform: Trump’s Truth Social account, posted on 2025‑11‑21.
• Caption: “Another bald eagle crushed by a wind turbine—our wildlife is suffering!”
• Image: A high‑resolution photo of a bird in mid‑flight over open terrain, with a turbine blade blurred in the background.

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2. How the Bird Was Misidentified

Feature	Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)	Israeli Falcon (e.g., Peregrine or Saker)
Size	Wingspan 7–8 ft (2.1–2.4 m)	Wingspan 3.5–4 ft (1.0–1.2 m)
head coloration	White head and tail, dark brown body	Dark head, no distinct white crown
Tail shape	Broad, slightly rounded	Narrow, pointed, “fingered”
flight silhouette	Broad wing chords, soaring glide	Streamlined, fast‑dive posture
Geographic range	North America (U.S., Canada, mexico)	Europe, Middle East, Central Asia; commonly seen in Israel

Expert analysis

• Audubon Society’s bird identification team noted the narrow, forked tail and the bird’s rapid, stooped wing posture as hallmark traits of a falcon.
• FactCheck.org consulted a certified raptor specialist who confirmed the photograph matches a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) commonly photographed in Israel’s desert reserves.

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3.Why the Misidentification Matters for the Anti‑wind‑Turbine Narrative

1. Emotional leverage: Bald eagles hold strong symbolic value in U.S. politics; portraying them as victims triggers public outcry.
2. Policy framing: The claim feeds into longstanding arguments that wind farms endanger iconic wildlife, influencing local zoning debates.
3. Misinformation spread: When a high‑profile figure shares inaccurate imagery, it amplifies false narratives across news cycles and social platforms.

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4. The Real Impact of wind Turbines on Birds of Prey

• U.S. data (2023‑2024): The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recorded ~1,600 documented eagle collisions with wind turbines nationwide—a fraction of total eagle mortality (estimated > 5,300 deaths per year from all causes).
• Global perspective: Studies in Europe and Asia show collision rates for large raptors ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 % of local populations,typically mitigated by site‑specific siting and turbine curtailment during peak migration.

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5. Expert opinions on the Photo’s Use in Advocacy

• Dr. Emily Hart, ornithologist at the University of Michigan:

“Using a misidentified bird undermines legitimate conservation concerns. Accurate data, not emotive mislabeling, shoudl drive wind‑energy policy.”

• Renewable Energy Council (REC) spokesperson, Mark Liu:

“We support rigorous wildlife monitoring. The focus should remain on proven mitigation measures like blade‑painting, radar‑guided shutdowns, and strategic turbine placement.”

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6. Practical Tips for Verifying Wildlife images on Social Media

1. Check the source: Look for original photographer credits or metadata.
2. Compare key anatomical features: Tail shape, wing profile, head markings.
3. Consult reputable databases: All About Birds (Cornell), Audubon Field Guide, or the International Union for Conservation of nature (IUCN) species profiles.
4. Use reverse‑image search tools: Google Images or TinEye can reveal earlier postings and context.
5. Cross‑reference with expert commentary: Fact‑checking sites frequently enough publish detailed analyses when controversial images circulate.

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7. Policy Implications and Future Directions

• Legislative response: Several U.S. states introduced “bald eagle protection” bills after the post,but most were tabled due to lack of empirical evidence linking turbines to widespread eagle mortality.
• Industry standards: The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) recommends mandatory pre‑construction bird‑risk assessments and post‑construction monitoring, a practice already adopted by over 85 % of new offshore projects in 2025.
• Public education: Increasing media literacy around wildlife imagery can reduce the potency of false claims, supporting both renewable‑energy adoption and genuine conservation efforts.

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Bottom line: The bird in Trump’s anti‑wind‑turbine post was accurately identified by specialists as an Israeli falcon, not a U.S. bald eagle. While the misidentification amplified a politically charged narrative, scientific data shows that wind turbines pose a relatively limited risk to eagles compared with othre threats. Accurate bird identification and transparent reporting remain essential for balanced policy discussions.