A bald eagle dying of bird flu is an apt symbol for the state of the US in 2025. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/07/bald-eagle-hinsdale-bird-flu/
Good point
I didn't previously have a "bad omens" folder of bookmarks, but maybe I should start one. This can go next to the Asian fox-spirit escaping, the carefully sealed lead coffin being dug up and accidentally cracked, the hellmouth opening in the ocean...