This eagle hatched on April 27, 2008, in a nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. Thousands of individuals worldwide followed his life through “EagleCam” — a web-based camera — and soon noticed a lump developing on the side of the bird’s beak. In May 2008, the eagle was taken from his nest and admitted as a patient at the Wildlife Center. Lab tests revealed that the lesion on his beak was Avian Pox. Despite an all-out effort by Center veterinarians, the pox lesion caused a permanent misalignment in Buddy's beak, which requires trimming every six weeks. Buddy is one of the Center's most famous education ambassadors and greets hundreds of visitors each year at on-site tours and open houses. In 2026, Buddy represented the Wildlife Center during King Charles III’s historic visit to Shenandoah National Park. He is also often seen on Critter Cam!