Photo by Craig Koppie, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

This is upsetting: Maryland Natural Resources Police are investigating the shooting death of two bald eagles in Montgomery County, according to a release.

The first eagle was shot on Christmas day in Brookville, Md., in a field between Georgia Avenue and Bordley Road, while a second eagle was found last Saturday near a house in Darnestown. According to police, the second eagle was alive when it was discovered, but later died.

Candy Thomson, a spokeswoman for the natural resource police, tells the Post that the shooting of the eagles could possibly be a case of “mistaken identity,” especially in regards to the bird shot on Christmas day, as it was feeding on a deer. “You see a bird sitting on a carcass of a deer and somebody might think they’re shooting at a vulture,” Thomson said.

According to the release, “anyone with information on the shootings may call the Department of Natural Resources Communications Center, 410-260-8888. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call the Catch-A-Poacher hotline at 1-800-635-6124, where a reward is possible.”