Crystal Palace’s eagle mascot is a modern symbol built on a 1970s rebrand, unforgettable matchday flights and a unique bond between club, fans and a rescued bald eagle called Kayla.
From Glaziers to Eagles
Crystal Palace only became “the Eagles” in the early 1970s when manager Malcolm Allison rebranded the club, inspired by Portuguese giants Benfica who release a live eagle before games. Allison changed the nickname from “the Glaziers” to “the Eagles”, switched the kit to bold red and blue and added an eagle to the club badge to project strength and ambition.
Kayla: The Live Eagle Era
The idea of a real eagle at Selhurst Park became reality with Kayla, a North American bald eagle cared for by Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation in Kent. Stolen from a nest in Canada as a chick and later rescued, she began making guest appearances at Palace home games around 2010 and quickly became the official live mascot, flying from one end of Selhurst to the other before kick-off. Her popularity with fans even helped raise thousands of pounds to save Eagle Heights during financial difficulties, with Palace supporters donating heavily to keep her sanctuary open.
Kayla’s role grew as Palace returned to and established themselves in the Premier League; she was regularly featured on TV and in BBC and Sky Sports pieces as one of English football’s most recognisable mascots. On matchdays she would spend time outside the ground meeting fans, then perform a dramatic swoop across the pitchm, a routine many supporters felt set the tone for big games.
Farewell to Kayla and Fan Tributes
In June 2020 Eagle Heights announced that Kayla had died after suffering a heart attack aged 28, having previously battled gout. Crystal Palace issued a tribute stating they were “deeply saddened” and that she had made the matchday experience “so special”, while fans flooded social media and forums with memories and condolence messages.
Reports noted that more than £4,000, much of it from Palace supporters, had been raised for her veterinary care, and after her death remaining funds were redirected to eagle conservation.
Phoenix, Pete and the Costume Mascots
The club’s eagle identity is also represented by two costume mascots, Pete the Eagle (the original) and a female counterpart, often referred to in fan and retail pieces as Alice, who entertain young supporters at Selhurst Park. These characters wear Palace kits and appear at community events, complementing the spectacle of the live bird on matchdays.
In 2024 Palace and Eagle Heights introduced Phoenix, a young American bald eagle chosen to continue Kayla’s legacy as the live mascot. Phoenix made a first Selhurst Park appearance in August 2024, with the club explicitly linking the new bird to Kayla’s memory and emphasising the ongoing partnership with the sanctuary. Fans quickly embraced Phoenix as a new symbol of the club’s modern era, while still chanting Kayla’s name in occasional tributes.
Eagle Mascot Timeline
| Year | Event | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early 1970s | “Eagles” nickname adopted | Malcolm Allison rebrands Palace, inspired by Benfica’s eagle symbol and changes badge and kit. | BBC explainer |
| c.2010 | Kayla begins flying at Selhurst | Rescued Canadian bald eagle from Eagle Heights starts pre‑match flights, becomes official live mascot. | BBC Kayla profile |
| 2010s | Pete the Eagle costume mascot | Human-sized eagle in club colours entertains fans alongside Kayla’s flights. | Mascot overview |
| June 2020 | Kayla dies aged 28 | Eagle Heights confirms fatal heart attack; Palace and fans pay tribute and redirect donations to conservation. | Sky Sports report |
| Aug 2024 | Phoenix unveiled | Young bald eagle Phoenix is introduced as new live mascot, continuing Kayla’s legacy. | CPFC gallery |
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