Live Bald Eagle Nest Cam

Mom and Dad have to stay feed because they are the grocery getters for the little ones. Never hurts to do a little house cleaning either.

3:05pm edt (19:05 UTC)



Images courtesy of: Live Bald Eagle Nest Cam | HDOnTap.com |

Looks like they are really keeping this nest clean. Mother bird must be from Schwaben where they have Kehrwoche.

I realize it is Nature's way, but I found it difficult to watch the family this morning.

The first pic shows just after a shift change, 8:03am edt (12:03UTC):



This second one shows the parent feeding the eaglets:


Images courtesy of: Live Bald Eagle Nest Cam | HDOnTap.com |

While the parent moved from the left to the right side of the nest, the eaglets, especially the one labeled with the arrow were engaged in battling each other for feeding rights. The arrowed one, I believe, is the first one to hatch lets call him #1, the other #2. The more aggressive #1 has always been closest to the cam.

#1 would peck #2 so hard that #2 would lay face down and remain motionless for a few seconds, but would revive to try and get fed, there was one time #2 didn't move for about a minute while #1 was being fed. Eventually #2 did get some food, but from what I'm watching #2 will either die from starvation or fratricide unless Nature balances the relationship somehow because the parent will not interfere.


Yes I realize it is Nature's way, but for me, seeing this up close and personal is different than watching other animals make a kill on Nat Geo or Discovery channel. Unfortunately television programming has hardened my heart, and I must try to change that.

Yep if they both get bigger one will probably push the other out of the nest.

One danger of observing animals in nature is we want to judge them by human standards, forgetting that they are NOT human. It is not unusual for one baby bird to bully the other baby to the point of causing it to starve or even to push it out of the nest. While humans feel this horrifying behavior (and it is to humans), it is a behavior many animals rely on to ensure only the strongest animals survive to be able to pass on their genes, thus helping to ensure survival of the species.

This is not to say the way humans feel about infants is wrong; it's just different, sorta like comparing apples to kumquats. One of my hang-ups is the way male ducks will gang bang on a hen. Since male ducks will push the females head down while copulating, if more than one male copulates with the female in quick succession while they are in the water, the poor female will drown. For that reason, I detest ducks even though I know better to apply human standards to them. Nature can be cruel but it's necessary to ensure species survive.

Must be why rodents thrive "Love the one your with" approach

I'm thinking one chick will be leader always. It's not that one chick won't get something to eat, it who eats first. Mom and Dad Eagle will bring enough food for both chicks is my belief.
Now if for what ever reason their is a shortage of food supply, Mom and Dad Eagles will let the pecking order rule and the strongest chick will live.

Way back in history poor families put some of there children to the streets because they couldn't feed them all. The street children got mean and tough or died.

Eagles and other animals seem to have harsh ways with their young at times because they always try to keep as many alive as possible but when need be they will let one die and the other to grow to be strong.
Instead of both growing up weak and not be able to take care of themselves then die. Their always must be a strong one to carry on the gene pool.

Then again I don't know of any animal except humans that abort their young before they are born.

Even a alligator with the brain the size of a grape protects their unborn and born young.

Keep the pictures coming, PLEASE

Taken around 11:20am edt (15:20UTC)




Images courtesy of: Live Bald Eagle Nest Cam | HDOnTap.com |

Light snow today mostly on grassy areas, highs to freezing (32°F - 0°C ) Winds 10 to 15mph (16 to 24kph), Gusts to 20mph (32kph). Lows tonight 20°F (-6.6°C).

I seldom have fishing days that good.
Ring the dinner bell. Both chicks are going to get filled up today.

I can only see one chick. Where is the other one hiding?