A migrated Golden Eagle was struck by a car in Delta and faced animal cruelty as its tail feathers were plucked from its end one by one.

Whoever performed the act of animal cruelty probably didn't know it was also a federal offense. According the Southwest Wildlife Foundation, such an act could potentially disable the eagle for the rest of its life.

Eagles often feed on roadkill, making them more prone to being hit by cars on the road. What drivers don't know about these birds is that they can't easily get out of the way. Unlike other birds, these large predators become too full to fly, leaving them in harms way.

It's when inhumane acts, such as plucking the eagles tail feathers, occur that animal cruelty becomes evident.

The foundation said the injury to the eagle from the car accident was reasonably minor and repairable. However, it was the inhumane treatment it received afterward to caused the most harm.

The Golden Eagle is currently receiving rehabilitation care by the Southwest Wildlife Foundation of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

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