Indy took flight in Indy on Sunday during the national anthem of an Indianapolis Colts football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Auburn’s bald eagle Independence, better known as Indy, has toured the country this fall flying at NFL games as Auburn’s Raptor Center expands the pregame eagle flight tradition Auburn has made famous at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Indy has flown at three Philadelphia Eagles games during the 2023 season. Indy has been Auburn’s traveling eagle because, being a bald eagle, she is best suited for a patriotic themed flight during a national anthem.

Auburn’s official War Eagle VIII, Aurea, is a golden eagle and will remain solely for flights in Auburn, Raptor Center director Wade Stevens previously told AL.com.

Stevens had hinted the Raptor Center was in process of entering contracts with other entities besides the Eagles for flights with Indy. This flight in Indianapolis is the first location other than Philadelphia.

Taking Indy on the road has been part of the Raptor Center’s plan for to generate funding to expand and modernize the Raptor Center in order to take in more birds and host more events and educational opportunities for the public and veterinary students.

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Matt_Cohen_ or email him at [email protected]