Jordan Lake, First Nest: The bald eagle chick at First Nest wants to feed himself, but Dad Petruchio thinks the chick needs some help. Dad puts his foot down and the chick has to wait for Dad’s okay.
Bald Eagle Petruchio
TagBald Eagle Parent & Chick Food Thoughts…
Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report: First Nest
The chick is very, very interested in the food that dad Petruchio is studying and thinking about feeding to the chick
Much to the annoyance of the chick, Dad takes notice of something … other than the food the chick wants and is pointedly showing Dad where his attention should be.
Dad explains to the chick that watching for possible dangers comes first, yes, even before food.
The chick takes to pouting and Dad goes back to observing.
Look Who Appeared at First Nest!
Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report: First Nest
Uh oh, Dad Petruchio and no chick!
Oh, my! Now look at Dad Petruchio and a chick to his right, at the nest brim. The chick is facing to the left.
First Nest bald eagle update 01/11/2021
Jordan Lake: Time is of the essence when it is cold and the parent eagles need to trade places on the eggs. Eggs left uncovered in the cold winter air will die if left uncovered for more than 2 minutes. Mom Kate was on the egg(s) when I arrived. 2 hours later she started calling and Dad Petruchio arrived. Kate jumped up on the branch next to Petruchio (she is closest to the trunk). They glanced down at their eggs. Dad Petruchio jumped down into the nest and settled onto the eggs and Mom Kate left for some flight time. The whole exchange took 38 seconds. This is a critical time for the eggs and then for chicks up to 2 weeks of age because any disturbance by humans can cause the parents to leave the eggs or chicks exposed too long and the disturbance could quickly become fatal to the new family.
First Nest has Egg(s)
Jordan Lake: Good News for the New Year! First Nest has egg(s). Yes! The eggs were laid at some point after December 26.
1) Mom Kate flew over me, heading out to the lake after she and Dad Petruchio had switched places on the eggs – yep, both the female and male bald eagle help with the incubation.
2) Dad Petruchio landing just above the nest to make sure Momma Kate is ok (you can’t see her).
3) Mom Kate in the nest – her head is just above the brim and she is looking out the right side of the nest. Look for her yellow beak.
4) Both parents at the nest. Mom Kate is standing up in the nest and her head is to the right – she is rolling eggs. Dad Petruchio is above the nest, on the left of the main trunk, look for his white head. I apologize for the photos at the nest, but, the weather did not want to co-operate; fog everywhere.
Courtship Feeding
Jordan Lake: First Nest update. Bald eagles mate for life. Every breeding cycle they renew their commitment to each other by sky dancing and food offerings. Petruchio brings his mate Kate a bird as his commitment offering as they get very near to mating.
