Animal rights group PETA has urged Crystal Palace to retire the club's bald eagle mascot, Phoenix, with immediate effect.
In a letter to Palace CEO Sharon Lacey, PETA has demanded the club commit to "never using a live animal mascot again."
Palace's previous eagle mascot, Kayla, regularly appeared before matches at Selhurst Park and flew the length of the pitch.
But PETA says that "reclusive eagles deserve better than a stressful, booming stadium environment" where "bright lights, loud noises, and boisterous crowds can cause birds to become frightened, disoriented and panicked."
The letter cited other incidents involving live birds at football including "an owl who died after being hit by a ball, eagles who crashed into walls or glass windows, and a falcon who landed on a fan's head, sinking his talons into the man's scalp."
"In another case," Peta continued, "a rowdy football supporter punched a rival team's eagle mascot."
That incident is believed to relate to a fan attacking Kayla at a League Cup match against south London rivals Charlton, which was marred by crowd trouble, in September 2015.
"Bald eagles are revered as symbols of freedom, yet Phoenix is being used as little more than a prop to entertain football fans," PETA's Dr Carys Bennett said.
"Crystal Palace already has a human mascot to energise supporters, so there's no reason to drag a wild animal into a noisy, crowded stadium.
"PETA is urging the club to let Phoenix spread his wings and retire him from matchday duties for good."
Palace, whose nickname has been the Eagles since 1973, have been contacted for comment.
