The female eagle who enthralled thousands on the live Norfolk Eagle Webcam was killed by an airplane landing at Norfolk airport Tuesday. WVEC in Norfolk reported,

The plane strike happened sometime between 8:30 and 8:50 a.m. A US Airways regional jet coming from Philadelphia was preparing to land at 8:50 when the pilot reported the bird strike.

Shank says the eagle was reportedly feeding at Lake Whitehurst with another eagle when the strike was reported.

The plane landed safely and no one was hurt, said Shank. He added that there was minor damage to the aircraft.

Shank told WVEC.com that this is the second eagle strike in several weeks and fourth in 10 years; the others occurring in 2005 and 2002.

It's sad news for all who've watched the pair over the years. The male was bringing fish to the three baby eaglets in the nest, but wildlife officials feared he wouldn't be able to hunt enough food for them as they and their appetites grow.

WILDLIFE CENTER OF VIRGINIA EAGLET CARE PLAN:

They will be placed in an artificial nest that has been constructed in the Center's 200-foot eagle flight cage. Other adult Bald Eagle patients may also be in this enclosure. While the chicks will be separated by a physical barrier from direct contact with other eagles, the eaglets will be able to see other eagles flying and feeding. As they begin to fledge, the barrier will be removed and the young eagles will have full access to the long enclosure, to build their wing strength and to learn to fly. The goal would be to get the young eagles ready for release back into the wild in late summer.

The embedded webcam has been replaced by a photo of the late eagle.

Thanks to my colleague Donna McGarry for the sad news.