Eaglets about two weeks old

We’re doing a quick post tonight to share some video clips from March 5 that I just edited.

I’m posting the three videos (WMV format) here for those who told me that they’re on a network that can’t access YouTube. But if you can access YouTube, you can view these videos on our Blackwater YouTube channel. Just look for the three 2009 videos with “Two Newly Hatched Eaglets” in the title.

To view the videos below, left-click on the video link to open in Windows Media Player, or right-click the link and choose “Save Link As” to download.

In the first video below, the mother has just come in with a fish and the father eventually stands up to reveal the two new eaglets — both only a couple days old. After the father leaves, the mother feeds a few bits to the chicks — the younger bird on the left and the older chick on the right.

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In the second video clip, if you watch very carefully about 13 seconds into the clip, the younger eaglet slices (a falconry term for defecating). The eaglets are able to shoot it out quite far, even right after hatching; this helps keep the nest clean.

After showing off its slicing skills, the younger eaglet then decides it’s time to wallop on its sibling. After watching the videotapes from the Refuge, I have to say that this is the most aggression I’ve seen from one of our younger eaglets. Maybe it’s because the two chicks are only a day apart and the younger eaglet thinks it has a shot at being #1.

The older eaglet puts up with the pecking for a while — trying to concentrate on the possible meal — but eventually the older bird has to respond and both chicks go at it. This sequence eventually ended with the mother giving up on the meal and going over and sitting on them both.

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In the final video clip, we see one of the eaglets stand up briefly as the father eagle flies in. He then moves what could be some old food in the nest and takes his place on the chicks.

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It’s not surprising to see our eaglets pecking at one another — that’s what young eaglets do — but it was a little surprising to see the younger bird being so aggressive. But that’s why we watch each year — we’re always learning something new. Eventually this aggression will fade as the eaglets grow, and at some point they’ll become more like playmates.

Our ranger is taping more video for us, so we’ll post more video clips in the near future, once we have an interesting collection to share.

Also, I’m working on a Gallery update, which I hope to have posted in the next few days. Thanks to everyone for their photos!

Until next time,
Lisa - webmaster
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eagles, wildlife refuge, eagle cam, Blackwater Refuge, Maryland