Idaho team readies artificial beak for wounded bald eagle

She has been named Beauty, though this eagle is anything but. Part of Beauty's beak was shot off several years ago, leaving her with a stump that is useless for hunting food. A team of volunteers is working to attach an artificial beak to the disfigured bird, in an effort to keep her alive.

For Beauty it's like using only one chopstick to eat. It can't be done"

"She has trouble drinking. She can't preen her feathers. That's all about to change."

Cantwell has spent the past two years assembling a team to design and build an artificial beak.

The nylon-composite beak is light and durable, and will be glued onto the eagle.

"Not enough of these have been done out there to say, 'yes, it can be done successfully,'" Ponder said. "Whether or not it will be functional is a question."

"Give me an hour with a third or sixth grader and they will never shoot a raptor."