Read this post from the Raptor Resource Project about DN1, our baby eagle!
Thursday June 30
Week 10
DN1 is 74 days old today. He is full grown, except for flight feathers which continue to grow. The juvenile feathers are longer the first year to help them learn to fly. He no longer needs food for a developing eaglet and is now eating more for maintenance like an adult eagle (.5-1.5 lbs a day) and storing fat to help him survive his first winter. He doesn't need to eat several times a day, or even every day since he can store up to 2 lbs. in his crop. DN1 can fly now he just doesn't know it yet. Fledging typically occurs between 75-90 days so any time now DN1 will take the 'leap of faith'.
Once juveniles fledge the parents will continue to use the nest for feedings. DN1 will probably still use the nest for resting and sleeping for a little while and then move to sleeping on the branches of the nest tree. DN1 will remain in the area anywhere between 4 weeks up to a few months while he masters flight, even practicing defensive and fighting maneuvers. He will also use the time to observe the parent hunt and fish before leaving for his great adventures over the next 5 years.
Enjoy these last days or weeks with DN1. We will celebrate his success in branching, hovering and fledging, but the time will be bittersweet as our time with him comes to an end.
Here's a link to RRP Facebook post with more good info as well:
https://www.facebook.com/Rapto...
Thursday June 30
Week 10
DN1 is 74 days old today. He is full grown, except for flight feathers which continue to grow. The juvenile feathers are longer the first year to help them learn to fly. He no longer needs food for a developing eaglet and is now eating more for maintenance like an adult eagle (.5-1.5 lbs a day) and storing fat to help him survive his first winter. He doesn't need to eat several times a day, or even every day since he can store up to 2 lbs. in his crop. DN1 can fly now he just doesn't know it yet. Fledging typically occurs between 75-90 days so any time now DN1 will take the 'leap of faith'.
Once juveniles fledge the parents will continue to use the nest for feedings. DN1 will probably still use the nest for resting and sleeping for a little while and then move to sleeping on the branches of the nest tree. DN1 will remain in the area anywhere between 4 weeks up to a few months while he masters flight, even practicing defensive and fighting maneuvers. He will also use the time to observe the parent hunt and fish before leaving for his great adventures over the next 5 years.
Enjoy these last days or weeks with DN1. We will celebrate his success in branching, hovering and fledging, but the time will be bittersweet as our time with him comes to an end.
Here's a link to RRP Facebook post with more good info as well:
https://www.facebook.com/Rapto...
No comments:
Post a Comment