Raptor Resource Project Forum
BirdCam Forum => Other Raptor Cams and Information => Topic started by: MpMom on November 14, 2019, 09:35:14 AM
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https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/features/webcams/eaglecam/index.html
The current pair has been distinguished from the pair, or at least the resident female, by several physical features. One obvious feature is that neither of the new birds is banded. This pair also shows some behavioral differences as well. They seem very bonded to each other, spending most of their time together - showing fondness for each other and sharing food commonly.
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MpMom, is this the same MN nest that you use to watch and post pics from? I can't remember what the eagles name were.
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Morning Lisa! Yes, I have watched this nest to for around 9 yrs. The original eagles are no longer here.
There is also another nest I watch(Minnesota Bound) which I haven't checked in on yet.
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Morning Lisa! Yes, I have watched this nest to for around 9 yrs. The original eagles are no longer here.
There is also another nest I watch(Minnesota Bound) which I haven't checked in on yet.
I thought the nest looked familiar. What were the names of the original eagles? What happened to them??
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They were just mom & dad Lisa. Mom had been banded so we knew it was her when she came to the nest.
Dad disappeared 1st & mom then mom got another mate. Then last year 2 different eagles showed up & have been here. No clue as to where mom went.
As we are seeing this happens to many nests.
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They were just mom & dad Lisa. Mom had been banded so we knew it was her when she came to the nest.
Dad disappeared 1st & mom then mom got another mate. Then last year 2 different eagles showed up & have been here. No clue as to where mom went.
As we are seeing this happens to many nests.
Oh, I thought they had names. Maybe I am thinking of another nest that you watch and post about.
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Hey Lisa!
The Arcon eagle nest in Iowa have a pair of eagles named Liberty & Justice. Maybe that is one you may be thinking of.
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Hey Lisa!
The Arcon eagle nest in Iowa have a pair of eagles named Liberty & Justice. Maybe that is one you may be thinking of.
Hmmm, no I am thinking it was one in MN that you watched. Was there one called DNR or something like that?? Or, is this that nest? LOL
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This one is the DNR nest Lisa. Hmmm
At the Mn Bound nest, they do name the kids.
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This one is the DNR nest Lisa. Hmmm
At the Mn Bound nest, they do name the kids.
Ok, so this is the same nest that I am thinking of.
There is another thread called DNR Eagle Cam Minnesota. I saw in that thread you and another two forum members talking and the male was named Bill, no name for the mom.
So, I am not crazy? LOL
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LOL Lisa!!! We did name him Bill but the DNR didn't. I remember now.
You are not crazy :-*
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LOL Lisa!!! We did name him Bill but the DNR didn't. I remember now.
You are not crazy :-*
Phewww...ok! ;D ;D
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Morning Lisa! I never liked the name Bill, might be why I forgot ;D
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Morning Lisa! I never liked the name Bill, might be why I forgot ;D
;D ;D
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DNR's eagle cam is back, and this time it's wired for sound
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/11/14/dnrs-eagle-cam-is-back-and-this-time-its-wired-for-sound
DNR EagleCam Live Stream - https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/features/webcams/eaglecam/index.html
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Our EagleCam is back! A new pair of bald eagles has taken up a comfortable residency. Currently, they are rearranging the nest and sharing meals together.
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Beautiful pics, MpMom!!
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Hi Lisa! Thank you! ;)
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Reminds me of Mom & DM2 chasing each other the other day with fish... ;)
MDNR Nest - Food Chase - 11/21/19
https://youtu.be/jSRxgCF9k1c via paul k
One adult landed at the nest with what appeared to be food and another adult was right behind. I captured a few minutes of the chase.
Thanks to the Minnesota DNR Nongame Wildlife Program for providing this cam.
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It does Lori ;D
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Great to see this cam plus sound once again...
MpMom - too funny: "all eagles have tried to take this branch down"..Indeed.
ssrl told me they named these two: Sid and Nancy?.....really?
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Hi KB, Sid & Nancy-really :o
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MpMom......that's what I heard as in Sid Vicious and Nancy story....ugg...Oh well, we didn't name them...
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KB, I sure don't like those names either :( Since no one else comes here in the forum we could name them what we want 8)
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MpMom - you betcha we can..
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KB, I sure don't like those names either :( Since no one else comes here in the forum we could name them what we want 8)
I think the names are very inappropriate and second the motion to give them new names!! And MpMom, Just read about your mother, so sorry to here that. I worry about mine too (87) in Donna, TX so far away but refuses to go to assisted living. Good luck and hugs and prayers for you all.
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There's always
Johnny and June
Sony and Cher
Faith and Tim
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I love Faith and Tim. but to be proper shouldn't it be:
Tim and Faith?
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I've never been one to always be "proper" as you well know ;D
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LOL you guys!!! I will not be proper :o 8)
Thank you SSRL! I just want peace in my own life now. Mom doesn't listen at all :(
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Great pics, MpMom!
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LOL you guys!!! I will not be proper :o 8)
Thank you SSRL! I just want peace in my own life now. Mom doesn't listen at all :(
MpMom...we just being silly!...yes, we all want peace in our lives..and, for you MpMom...
I can be silly with ssrl....cause, I grew up next door to her....LOL
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Been trying to get on the live cam, not working so we have to use youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wDC2pToJQE&feature=emb_rel_err
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Live cam back on this am.
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I saw this too MpMom and was going to take a screen shot but wasn't fast enough. The adult was testing out the bowl. Maybe eggs are in the future ;)
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SSRL, it would be fun to see kids here this year ;D
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Mn DNR Nongame Wildlife Eagle
Finally caught them on camera a few minutes ago!!!
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The stick he was pulling went overboard :o
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MpMom - I was kind of hoping to see some kids this year too. We'll see if these two can handle it. :D
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Good Morning
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Hi SSRL! Love the pic!! ;D
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Good morning MpMom, I hope you feel better today :-*
ssrl and Mp, I hope there are eggs this year.
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Morning Lani!
Still not much of a voice but hangin in there.
I want egglets too ;D
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GREAT pic of both of them, MpMom
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Love when they are both here Lisa ;D
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Fantastic screen caps, MpMom!
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Another visit this morning
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Hi SSRL ;D Glad they are around here ;D
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Hi MpMom - still thinking there may be kids this year - we'll see ;D
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I know SSRL, would love it!
They have been in & out this am. I caught one coming in.
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Also looks like they put in a little more nesting material. We shall watch, wait and see!!!!
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I can't wait SSRL ;D
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Report from the MN DNR
First 2020 Report on Minnesota's EagleCam
Season seven at the EagleCam begins! But, did the 2019 season ever really end? The new eagle couple would probably say "season? what season?"
Bald Eagles have as many individual, distinctive characteristics as they do typical bald eagle characteristics. Some static characteristics are physical: white head and tail on adults; yellow eyes, feet and beak huge, brown wing span. Some are behavioral: they have a mostly carnivorous diet; they have stunning (some say spiritual) flight and soaring abilities, and their courtship, bonding and mating behaviors vary only slightly between pairs.
Because the physical appearance of bald eagles is roughly identical, the individual behavior of eagles helps to distinguish one bird or pair of birds from another. Here at EagleCam central, we were fortunate for the first six years to have a female on the nest sporting a band on her left leg. The camera allowed us to read the band number and positively identify her as the same female - year after year. From 2012 until her 2019 ouster she protected the territory, had stable partners and tended to/maintained this nest. She had different mates during this time period, mostly due to territorial battles, where a stronger male seized an opportunity to replace the resident male - taking over "nestorations", mating and parenting duties.
Early last year, a new pair invaded the territory and seized control of the nest from the resident female and her mate. It appeared as if the female's mate was new (different from the previous year) and she was almost ready to lay eggs. Defending her territory and nest was proving too difficult and exhausting, so she abandoned her long-time territory and nest. We have reason to believe that she moved on and layed her eggs in a nest close by and is still alive and kicking.
The new pair have not left the territory much at all since then. Camera watchers and photographers have distinguished each eagle by their physical characteristics - the female's "bib" appears disheveled and the pair rarely leave each other's company. They seem to be in close proximity to each other - while hunting, feeding and roosting - most of the time. They have been observed moving sticks, adding grasses and fur, and feeding together on the nest.
The noise, noise, noise, noise!
This fall, we were able to install (thank you Xcel Energy and Floyd Total security) a new sound system and get the microphone working. Hearing the eagle voice is a whole new experience and learning tool. Their voice might surprise you if you've never heard an angry or excited bald eagle.
Some background noise from the road, river and sky is distracting at times, but it is exciting to finally hear the whistling sound coming from those large, screaming beaks! (hint: if it gets too annoying, turn your sound off). We hope you are enjoying it!
We continue to be grateful for the generous donations to our program. Whether you make your donations on your tax forms, send us a checks, or donate online, we THANK YOU so much! Bringing a bald eagle's nest and journey to your living room, dorm room, class room or cell phone is an honor and a privilege. We hope you feel the same way about the eagles and YOUR Nongame Wildlife Program!
Stay safe and warm this weekend, warmly.
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Thanks for the update MpMom! 8)
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Oh MpMom, I sure do hope the original Mom is nearby and alive and kicking....I had not heard anything about her. They say they have reason to believe.....so, I am guessing it's more likely true than not...thanks.
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Thanks for posting MpMom, I always miss them!!! ;)
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Hard to catch them Lori ;)
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Lots of fluff this year!....I remember many years where we begged for someone to drop some hay nearby!...
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Just checked out the nest at 10:04 this morning, one eagle home!
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Great pic SSRL ;D
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I can't be sure if it is dad in the 2nd pic :-\
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A lot of activity today at the nest
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Thanks for the great pics SSRL!! I was gone most of the day.
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Good Morning MpMom - the bowl is looking like eggs may be in the future :)
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I have a feeling it will happen soon SSRL ;D
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I have a feeling it will happen soon SSRL ;D
Great pics, MpMom!
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Thanks Lisa ;D
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Great pics MpMom, no birds when I checked this morning so happy you posted. Love the side by side. We are ready for eggs!!!!
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Thanks SSRL! Yes, we are ready ;D ;D
I really love these 2 :-*
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DNR EAGLE CAM UPDATE...
EagleCam Update
January 31, 2020
Preparing the nest
nestorations
Our "new" eagle couple seem to be on a "normal" Minnesota eagle egg-laying schedule. Fresh sticks, grasses and fur have been appearing in the nest over this past week as the couple perfect its layout. It seems this pair consume most of their meals away from the nest on the ground or in nearby trees. But they have brought some prey back to the nest, including small mammals, such as squirrels and rabbits.
The time draws nigh . . .
The eagles? behavior suggest that it won?t be long before they have some eggs to brood over. We can hardly wait! Here?s when the first egg appeared in the previous seven years we?ve been watching this pair:
2019 - no eggs
2018 - Feb 23
2017 Jan 28
2016: Jan. 25
2015: Jan. 19
2014: Feb. 14
2013: First week in January
When do you think the first eggs of 2020 will arrive? Keep your eagle eye tuned to the EagleCam.
Juvenile sighted near nest
Immi baea
This week a juvenile bald eagle was seen flying near the nest. The bird was not banded and did not attract attention from our resident pair. They seem to be quite comfortable in their new territory and have little, if any competition this year. Juvenile bald eagles are about the same size as their parents, but their coloring is different. The juveniles are mottled brown and white all over, with a brown beak and brown eyes. The characteristic dark body, yellow beak, white head and tail doesn't develop until the birds reach maturity at about five years of age.
You can help the eagle cam and other species
tax time
Have you received your W2 forms yet, the statement of what you earned last year by getting up and going to work every day?
The eagles in our EagleCam go to work every day, too, but they don?t get a paycheck. The 800-plus species that the Nongame Wildlife Program helps through habitat management, research and other activities rely upon your generosity.
As you gather up your W2s and start filling out your income tax forms, look for the loon on line 22 of your Minnesota form and consider donating any amount you can. You can also donate directly online with a credit card, right now before it slips your mind.
Thank you for your interest in Minnesota?s wildlife, and for your ongoing support of the Nongame Wildlife Program, which has been bringing you live streaming video from an eagle?s nest for the past seven years.
Minnesota Nongame Wildlife Program
DNR?s Nongame Wildlife Program helps preserve and protect thousands of Minnesota wildlife species, some of them threatened or endangered. The program is supported almost entirely through voluntary donations, either directly or by designating an amount to donate on your Minnesota individual income tax form (look for the loon). Donations help us restore habitats, conduct crucial surveys and monitoring, engage in outreach and education (like our Eagle and Falcon cams), and complete other important projects. Visit mndnr.gov/nongame to learn more.
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MpMom, thanks for posting the update and the picture of the BE trying to pull that branch down. I have checked in on the nest and have seen this several times. It just makes me smile and wonder, will it finally break off and become part of the nest?
Saw 3 bald eagles in my travels this morning. Heading out Highway 55 West I saw a nest I've never seen before in Plymouth plus and eagle sitting near it. Further out 55 just west of Medina another nest that kb and I have visited. Then on my way home I see another in a tree on Ridgemount the street that runs along the side of my house. Pleasant surprise. Home now and checking on-line nests. Enjoy the weekend (I'll have to say Go Chiefs after living in Missouri for so many years :-))
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Hi SSRL!!
I know, I watch every eagle that has been here trying to take down that branch. That would make some rail if it ever comes down ;D ;D
Wow, you had a wonderful eagle day!!! There are more around than we think!!!
I say go Chiefs too ;D ;D
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Hi MpMom-great pics.
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Hi Tail! Great to see you!!! ;D
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I have a feeling it will be today-tomorrow. I know soon ;D
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Great pics, MpMom!
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Hi Lisa! Thank you!!
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Love the fluff MpMom!!!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO MOM & DAD!!! 347pm cast
She chirps just like mom Decorah ;)
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Shoot, I've been watching this afternoon and stepped away for a little bit and bam........an egg :) I was thinking it might happen today. Last time I looked they were both in the nest and Sid was looking like....should I leave now? :-\
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LOL SSRL! I thought today also. She was eating all day ;D
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Congrats on the egg!!!! WOO HOO!!! (http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/cheerleader.gif)
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Wonderful pics, MpMom!!! Congrats!!!
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Great pics. So fun there is an egg at this nest again!
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I know Tail, very eggciting!!! After watching these 2 for awhile, I have fallen for them ;)
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I read the DNR bio- its neat that the 2 are always together. At least it makes me worry less (:
*during those times when you see only one and wonder where the other eagle is.
Nice to hear them too! Glad that feature was added.
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Great pics, MpMom!
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Bingeing more than ever on Minnesota darlings on the EagleCam
http://www.startribune.com/bingeing-more-than-ever-on-minnesota-darlings-on-the-eaglecam/567624782/?refresh=true
DNR EagleCam Live Stream - https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/features/webcams/eaglecam/index.html
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"Sid" and "Nancy," as they've been dubbed online, in a still from the EagleCam last month.
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Thanks T40!!
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Glad to see they are taking turns incubating. Another good sign of chances for success this year.
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A little snack this afternoon
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It's really coming down MpMom! Thanks for all you do, I check this thread every day!
Take care family!
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Egg check & shake off...
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MpMom and Lori....great pics!
MpMom, you are right poor mama!
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Have they done shift change yet today? Looks like it let up a "bit"... ;)
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I think now Lori :-\
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I just saw a shift change at 11:52 :)
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I do not know when it happened but there are 2 egglets ;D
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Congrats!
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Here is a better one Lisa ;)
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Wow MpMom glad you got a pic of both eggs. When I saw Mom and Dad switching places a while ago, I couldn't see any eggs. Wonder if it happened last night before the snow came in. This is eggciting :)
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Congrats!!!! (http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/cheerleader.gif)
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Here is a better one Lisa ;)
GREAT pics, MpMom!! More babies!!!
Lori - Great gif!
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SSRL, there wasn't 2 egglets when I was on early this am. Must have happened mid to late morning.
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MpMom, I've been trying to find their names or do they have numbers for names or is it Mom & Dad? Thanks sweetie! 8)
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It is Sid & Nancy :o
I just call them mom & dad ;)
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It is Sid & Nancy :o
I just call them mom & dad ;)
Oh yes, Sid & Nancy... I remember now. ::) :P Mom & Dad sounds just fine to me! ;)
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Lori, kind of odd names of eagles for me ;D
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Lori, kind of odd names of eagles for me ;D
Agreed. They should be more "regal" Eagle names. 8) Goodnight Sid, Nancy & lil eggs :-*
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I agree Lori, but that's just me ;)
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I agree Lori, but that's just me ;)
Great pic, MpMom!
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Anybody know what was going on around the Mn DNR nest yesterday? At one point it appeared the camera was following about 4-5 people wandering around in the trees below the nest. Looked like it made our incubating mama a little nervous.
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Raleigheagle - I think it was a crew of people removing invasive Buckthorn in the area. Yes a little disturbing to nesting eagles.
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Raleigheagle,
I know a couple of people who go to the nest but sure wish they wouldn't. :( :(
These eagles aren't use to people hanging around.
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Egg news MN DNR, Congrats Sid & Nancy third egg! (http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/cheerleader.gif)
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Three Eggs at MN DNR EagleCam Nest
https://youtu.be/QtpN6OS_Cpo via Hancock Wildlife Foundation
February 12 2020, 3:53 pm - the female at the Minnesota DNR eagle cam has laid her third egg of the season - not easy to see in this brief video, but she has a full nest!
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Wow Lori thanks for posting, I just got home from work and didn't know about the 3rd egg. I looked at the nest cam early this morning when it was 11 below here before I went to work but Mom or Dad was just tucked in head in wing and it was still dark. This is fun!! ;D
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Wonderful. It's going to be very cold tonight, but I can't think of a warmer place than under the belly of an eagle!
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MpMom, the cams are great here! Fantastic pics and so clear!
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Bald eagles lay first eggs in all livestreaming Pennsylvania nests
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/02/bald-eagles-lay-first-eggs-in-all-livestreaming-pennsylvania-nests.html
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Update from the DNR...
A Valentine's Day trifecta
They did it!
Just in time for Valentine's Day, our famous love birds at the EagleCam nest have now produced three eggs. These two have been around the nesting territory since January of last year, kicking the original eagle pair off of the nest. The new pair remained on the territory, always close to each other, nuzzling, feeding each other all spring and summer, but without producing any eggs. Until now! What perfect timing -- a Valentine's Day gift from the Minnesota Nongame Wildlife Program to you!
Their first egg arrived on Thursday, Feb. 6; the second came on Sunday, Feb. 9; and on Wednesday, Feb. 12, the third and likely final egg appeared.
Check out this video of the final egg being laid -- but be forewarned, it's graphic.
Love means sharing the chores
rolling eggs
Eagles share their parenting duties. While the female does most of the incubation, both adults have a brood patch. The patch is a featherless spot of bare skin on their underside designed to help keep eggs warm. The male eagle will take over incubation duty periodically to allow the female time to stretch her wings, hunt and have a nice meal of frozen fish or fresh squirrel. Yum!
By this time, both birds have spent much time adding sticks and other materials to the nest. Sensing the impending cold temperatures, the male still is bringing in soft grass. The pair also has been digging a deeper bole, or nesting cavity, to keep the eggs warm. This deep bole makes it difficult to see the eggs, but helps keep them from freezing in the frigid Minnesota weather.
Snow and cold temperatures have caused concern among viewers. Let us alleviate your fears with some facts:
Embryos are less sensitive to cold than to heat, particularly before incubation has started. Mallard eggs have been known to crack by freezing and still hatch successfully. Eggs cool when incubation is interrupted, but this is not usually harmful, and few birds incubate continuously. Instead, egg temperature is regulated in response to changes in the temperature of the environment by varying the length of time that a parent bird sits on them, or by the tightness of the ?sit.?
Many birds apparently sense the egg temperature with receptors in their brood patches, helping them regulate their attentiveness (time spent incubating) more accurately. Since the embryo itself increasingly generates heat as it develops, periods of attentiveness should generally decline as incubation progresses. Attentiveness also is influenced by the insulating properties of a particular nest.
When will we have chicks?
Incubation of the eagle eggs goes on for about 35 days. A few days before they emerge, the chicks will begin scraping the inside of the shell with their egg tooth, a small horny protuberance on the top of their beak. That creates a thin spot in the shell that they can start to break through, first with a small hole, or pip, that begins the hatching process.
eagle egg pip
A rare privilege to behold
It's not every day that a person gets to see, up close and personal, something as amazing as a bald eagle actually laying an egg. And in just over a month, we hopefully will get to see the miracle of eagle chicks emerging from their shells. These privileged insights into the natural world are possible only because people like you have shown their love for wildlife by donating to the Minnesota Nongame Wildlife Program. Thanks!
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So happy MpMom! Great pic of all 3 also! 8)
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Thanks Lori ;)
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People flocking to EagleCam to get a glimpse of this year's eagles
https://www.kare11.com/article/sports/outdoors/eaglecam-viewership-hits-record-numbers/89-400b6678-7a8f-45d2-a494-84c7c7f49768
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Wow, what a great pic of frosty mom this morning, MpMom.....thanks for that...
Appreciate your updates to catch up with....
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I've watched this nest for the past few years. The disappointment of the abandoned eggs last year was heartbreaking. So nice to see such attentive parents this season. I don't think I've ever checked in where one or both eagles were not on the nest. These egglets are in good talons this year.
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Update from the MN DNR...
Eagles show off innate abilities
in?nate (i-ˈnāt) adjective 1. Existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth.
The natural world is filled with examples of mind-boggling innate talents. Like how do birds know where to migrate to? They were born that way. How do animals know which berries are good to eat? That knowledge is built in. How do eagles know they need to roll the eggs around, or not crush them? Its innate - and our favorite eagles show off their innate abilities every day(not like they have much choice). The cooperation between the two of them is both educational and fun to watch -- adding sticks and grasses to the nest as needed, curling up their talons when stepping close to the eggs, gently wiggling their bodies to pull the eggs next to their warm skin. These innate abilities exist to promote successful hatching of the eggs. The parents are tightly focused on doing everything they can to make sure the eggs hatch, a key step in their overall goal of reproductive success.
Hoping for the best
brella mom
Eagles, like most birds, lay multiple eggs (called a clutch). The reason for multiple eggs is so the species can survive and, if the whole clutch hatches - thrive.
If one or two of the eggs don't hatch, or the chicks don't survive, there will be one or two left to carry the genetic material forward. Nature's focus is on survival of the species -- not the individual.
We're all excited and hopeful for a new brood of eaglets after two years of waiting. We've missed the fuzzy, wobbly heads of the clumsy chicks. But we need to be emotionally prepared in case things don't turn out the way we'd like.
Eagle chicks are altricial - which means they're completely dependent upon their parents for survival. The parents provide warmth, food, protection from predators, and shelter from Minnesota's harsh weather. The first few days after hatching is when chicks are the most vulnerable. Let's all keep our fingers crossed, and hope for the best!
Technology -- It's great when it works...
assistance
We've come a long way, baby!
Since our first year of peering into the private lives of bald eagles in 2013, we've dealt with numerous challenges with each and every aspect of running a successful EagleCam. The camera, livestreaming ability, hardware, software, the sound, and the human capacity to keep all of this running at a high-level -- each has had issues at one point or another.
The small crew that keeps open this live window into the exciting world of nature is committed to doing all that we can to provide a quality experience for viewers from around the world. We truly appreciate all of your praise and support -- along with your patience. When something isn't working, you can be assured we're doing our best to get it back up and running as quickly as possible!
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From the DNR...
Hold on!
Thursday wasn't exactly a great day to be expecting a chick. It was rainy and -- true to March's reputation -- very windy in St. Paul, Minnesota. Fortunately, our two eagles sit very tightly on their eggs. Over the past 35 days of incubation, we haven't seen them ever leave the eggs for more than a few minutes at a time. What responsible parents!
Those March winds can make you start to feel a little seasick if you watch the cam for too long! The nest and the camera are on different branches of the same tree, which is why you see so much motion. The eagles are not experiencing as much motion as it appears. The camera is moving around much more than the nest is.
Sill waiting
Because these two sit so tightly on those eggs, it makes it difficult to get a peek at the shells. Of course, we are looking for a pip (a small hole in the shell) soon, but we have not confirmed one yet. We are anxiously anticipating little fuzzy, wobbly heads any day now! Keep reading for insight about what is exactly going on inside of those eggs.
Countdown to the hatch
egg development
The rare glimpses we get of our eagles? eggs may suggest not much is going on with them, but inside those white shells a host of physiological changes are or will soon be unfolding in what amounts to a 72-hour countdown to the hatch.
One of the main things that needs to happen is for the embryonic chick to switch from getting oxygen through the membrane that surrounds it in the egg to breathing on its own. First, a muscle at the nape of the chick?s neck swells and causes the head and beak to twitch and press against an inner membrane that eventually is pierced, allowing air to reach the chick. At this point it starts to actually breathe, and the chick?s parents may be able to hear faint chirping from inside the egg.
As the chick breathes and re-breathes the air inside the egg, carbon dioxide accumulates, causing more muscle spasms. A bony protuberance on the chick?s beak known as the ?egg tooth? taps at the shell until a tiny, barely visible star forms, letting in some fresh air. With that, the chick usually calms down for a few hours before creating a larger, visible hole known as a ?pip.? EagleCam watchers may recall seeing the pip, with a tiny beak visible inside, in years past.
With an opening to the outside, the chick?s lungs become fully functional, which triggers the little bird to start rotating inside its shell, industriously cutting around the egg?s circumference until a cap is loosened and the bird first lifts its fluffy head into view. The week or so after hatching tends to be one of the riskiest for chicks.
These three eggs were laid on February 6, 9 and 12, and incubation usually lasts about 35 days, so we?re all keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for a successful hatch soon!
Camera and sound
night rain
Adjustments are always necessary in the technical world. Sometimes there are updates to software or hardware. If windows has an update, for instance, then everything else needs to adjust to update. As many of you know, when that happens, it creates a ripple effect. There are many moving parts to our camera and microphone, so again, we appreciate your patience when the image doesn't look quite right, or if the sound doesn't match the image. Feel free to send us a note, but for the most part, you can be sure we are working behind the scenes to keep things running beautifully. Speaking of beauty - take a look at the night vision of the incubating female. The combination of snowflakes on her back and the infra-red on the camera made her back appear to have diamonds on her back. Sometimes nature is simply magical, isn't it?
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Clynn said, we have a pip ;)
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Clynn said, we have a pip ;)
Love that pic, MpMom!
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Has to be one of my favorite Lisa ;D
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Has to be one of my favorite Lisa ;D
Oh, maybe a baby by tomorrow??
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Has to be one of my favorite Lisa ;D
OMG how EXCITING!!!! 8) 8) 8)
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Congratulations mom & dad :-* :-*
This cam is the worst for pixels!!!
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;D :-*
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Congrats, MpMom!!!
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;D ;D
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Tried to get a lil peek this morning... better pics later. Great SS MpMom!!! ;D
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MpMom, is there a setting to change to make the pixels look better? Mine is set on HD 1080p. Thanks!
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Thanks Lori, I forgot about checking the settings. :-*
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The dnr is working on the pixels with the cam. It is so bad now, can't even watch it :( >:(
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They did fix the cam ;)
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Aww, great pic, MpMom!
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Thanks Lisa ;)
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Great pics, MpMom :)
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MpMom so cute! Raining today will try to get some pics of the babies to post. they are just precious!
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MN DNR Happiness is... 3 babies! ❤️❤️❤️
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Love our 3 babies Lori!!! ;D
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A couple baby pics to brighten your morning ❤️❤️❤️
MNDNR
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https://youtu.be/RhKlRcUEYzQ
See if this works, I'm really starting to like these two. Sid always there to help
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Thank you Lori & SSRL!!! :-*
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baby updates... enjoy!!! ❤️❤️❤️
MNDNR
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Nice to have kids in the nest Lori! Thanks for the pic!!
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Just checked the nest and saw there is a pigeon for lunch/dinner.
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They are not picky SSRL ;D
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❤️❤️❤️
MNDNR 3 amigos
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They are so cute Lori!!!
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Thanks Lori and MpMom they are adorable little fuzz balls. :)
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And Happy Birthday MpMom, hope you enjoy the day
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A peek at a couple babies this morning ❤️
MNDNR
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Poor Mom
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Thank you SS :-*
Poor wet mama :(
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They grew while I have been busy.
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They grew while I have been busy.
They are adorable!
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Hi Lisa ;D
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Hi Lisa ;D
:D
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Baby snips this morning ❤️❤️❤️
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Awww thank you Lori :-*
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Hi MpMom, I was a little worried about the weather and these kids but I think all is okay. Just checked the nest now and Mom was feeding.
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Hi SSRL! Now if the little one can scoot in to get some food all will be well.
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Hi SSRL! Now if the little one can scoot in to get some food all will be well.
Aww, MpMom, love the feed me back here pic! I hope he/she is getting fed.
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Good Morning Babies!!! ❤️
MNDNR
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I received this email yesterday from the DNR-- I think trying to prepare people for .. any unfortunate events that might happen to the smallest chick. Thanks for all the great pics.
April 10, 2020
Hungry Chicks
Life can be brutal in the wild
Evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin called it survival of the fittest. The natural world has a way of adapting to its environment. An animal's behavior, strengths, and physical characteristics are a reflection of its biology, as well as its environment. An individual animal's survival isn't a matter of nature versus nurture; nature and nurture together determine the survival of the animal, and the species.
What this means is that the strongest individuals survive and pass on to their offspring the genetic material that gave them survival advantages. Even if an animal was born with an advantageous genetic make-up, it still needs to withstand the harsh environment it's born into.
We have witnessed the challenging conditions that the eggs, and then the chicks have had to live through to get to this point. It's not easy being raised in a nest 100 feet off the ground, in a wet, cold, windy and sometimes snowy nest of sticks and grass.
From now on, the eaglets need to survive each other and defend themselves, as well as dealing with a harsh environment. They are born with strong survival and territorial instincts. The larger chicks pick on the smaller ones. They can really bash on each other's heads, and that's difficult to watch. This behavior toughens up the smaller chick, or it kills it. If it does survive, it means that chick will carry on the genetics of resilience and durability to its own offspring, thereby helping the bald eagle population stay robust and healthy into the future.
There may be brutal moments ahead, dramatic scenes in the nest that, over the coming weeks, some people may prefer not to watch. This is real nature, not Disney. As the siblings compete for food, their instincts make them fight each other to get bites. This fighting behavior can be tough to watch, but it helps them grow into strong adults who will be capable of fending off predators as well as other eagles. Sometimes the youngest chick does not live to fledging (leaving the nest). This has happened in our nest twice before. The youngest chick died because it was not strong enough to endure the competition for food. One year, the dead chick was fed to its siblings. It became a food source that provided the two surviving chicks with protein and all of the nutrients eagle chicks need for growth. If even one chick survives, the species continues. Watch at your own discretion in the coming days, understanding that this is just how nature works.
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Morning Tail.
Did we loose one? I haven't been able to find a cam that is live to watch the nest.
I just found a live cam...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IQPIoxTAh0
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Hi Tail and MpMom, as of an hour ago, I think we still had all 3 but the little one is struggling and not getting as much food. Snowing now so they are under Mom. This is always the hard part. :'(
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Morning Tail.
Did we loose one? I haven't been able to find a cam that is live to watch the nest.
I just found a live cam...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IQPIoxTAh0
I will keep my fingers crossed for the little one.
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Not sure but don't think the little one made it. Sad!!!
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Not sure but don't think the little one made it. Sad!!!
Awww, Im sorry, MpMom!
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Good morning MpMom, Lisa and Tail, it has been confirmed little E3 did not make it. I've only been watching this nest for 5 seasons, but somehow you do get attached. Hoping the very best for the other two. Snow is done, but cold here this morning. Stay safe everyone.
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Good morning MpMom, Lisa and Tail, it has been confirmed little E3 did not make it. I've only been watching this nest for 5 seasons, but somehow you do get attached. Hoping the very best for the other two. Snow is done, but cold here this morning. Stay safe everyone.
:( So sorry to hear that news, ssrl!
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Very sad. I am sorry to all who watch this cam. It is hard not to get attached-
:'(
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MNDNR so sorry for your loss. :(
Rest in Peace E3, Soar strong and brave through the Heavenly realm to watch over us all! ❤️
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I just got home. Sad. Rest in peace little one :-*
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April 13, 2020
E3 competing for food
Life can be brutal in the wild
We have sad news from our EagleCam this morning. As we suspected might happen, little E3 (the third chick that hatched) has died. The chick never caught up in size to its two slightly older siblings, and competition for food has been fierce. We watched the chick fight hard, and it was alive as of last evening. But this morning there has been no movement. The parents have not yet removed or recycled its body and it remains in the nest bole.
Because of the competition for food, the oldest chick (E1) is very aggressive in its instinctive behavior to survive. This is normal chick behavior, and it is seen in all eagle nests. E1 is significantly larger than E3 was, and consistently overpowered its youngest sibling at feedings. This behavior will continue until the chicks begin to self-feed. Self-feeding will take place when there is enough food in the nest for leftovers.
Our natural human reaction is to ask why this happened. We have taken note that there has been a lack of substantial food deliveries by the parents. There is fierce competition with other wildlife and between other adult eagles for available food sources. While our camera does not capture what is happening on the ground or in the skies surrounding the nest, it would appear that food is scarce. We do know there are many eagles in this area. This pair is new to parenting, and may not be skilled enough to handle three extra mouths to feed (in addition to their own). Lack of automobile traffic near the nest is producing fewer road killed animals as well.
While we are saddened E3 did not survive, this will give the remaining two chicks better odds at survival. They will be better fed, stronger and more resilient when the time comes to leave the nest. Keep in mind that we had no eggs last year, and the year before that, eggs were laid, but none hatched. Nature is all about survival of the species, which in many ways is a function of the law of averages. Over the eight years we've been privileged to peek inside this nest, 10 eagles have successfully fledged and flown away into the world.
We thank you for your interest in and dedication to the real-world drama that unfolds in this treetop nest. We know this has been a difficult, but rewarding season so far for eagle lovers.
And special thanks to everyone who has donated to the Nongame Wildlife Fund! Your contributions make it possible for our hard-working team to bring this 24/7 spectacle into homes and classrooms around the world. We couldn't do it without your support.
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One of the chicks on the DNR Eagle Cam has died :'(
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/one-of-the-chicks-on-the-dnr-eagle-cam-has-died
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MNDNR
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Nice morning pic Lori, even though I'm sad the little E3 died, I'm sure thinking these other two are cute and hoping for the best with this new eagle family. :-*
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These guys are getting so big so fast!!
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I think the same thing SSRL ;D
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Can't believe they are so big :o
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Hi MpMom!! Some kids just like to sleep in a bit on a chilly morning ;)
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From the DNR...
Getting Stronger Every Day
Banding decision
To ensure the safety of staff and volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the DNR has decided not to band the chicks in the EagleCam nest this year.
Banding birds causes no harm to them, and is used as an identification and research tool. Neither of the parents at this nest are banded, so information about their birth places or their ages is unknown. Not knowing the age or location of the nestlings makes these chicks just like nearly every other bald eagle in the wild. They will carry on with their lives normally - just without identification.
What happens now?
The chicks are now a little over seven weeks old. They have been stretching their wings, flapping and walking around the nest. Jumping, flapping and catching wing is how they will get a feel for their wings and learn to eventually fly as a fledgling eagle.
They will start branching very soon. Branching is when the chicks venture out to the branches surrounding the nest. They use this exercise to strengthen their legs and wings. They are also developing their eyesight and watching the parents as they hunt. The parents will spend less time in the nest with them, usually just to feed them.
Often, the parents will perch nearby with food or fly over with food, to entice their young to try out their wings. They will vocalize, flying low above the nest to encourage the chicks to leave the nest. Once the young feel confident enough, they will take their first flight. They are usually clumsy at first, taking off and flying from the ground and honing their flight skills with the direction of their parents.
They will take their first flight at about 10-12 weeks. Once they leave the nest, they will spend a month or two near the nest, begging for food from their parents and honing their flight and hunting skills. After a couple of months, they often fly with and learn soaring skills - eventually wandering off on their own.
We will continue to update here until the chicks fledge. The camera will remain on until the third week in August, so you will still have the opportunity to see the eagles in the nest from time to time, even after they leave the nest.
Special thank you to everyone who has donated to the Nongame Wildlife Fund! Your contributions make it possible for our hard-working team to bring this 24/7 spectacle into homes and classrooms around the world. We couldn't do it without your support.
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Good Morning MpMom, thanks for posting the DNR update. These kids are huge and getting those wings ready. They will be flying before we know it. It seems like forever before the eggs hatch and then the time flies by so fast. Just like all life. Have a great weekend, stay safe.
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Morning! Time does fly SSRL :o
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From the DNR...
Flapping
It's almost college time
Lean Cuisine?
The chicks are now experiencing a little "tough love" around meals. Their parents are bringing less food to the nest as they try to entice the chicks into nearby trees or onto the ground with pieces of food. This helps the youngsters understand that in order to get food, they will need to leave the nest to follow the food source. The food supply has not stopped, and the chicks still are getting plenty of fish, rabbits and other tasty, furry or finned morsels. You'll notice they take very large pieces at a time now, and one large meal can sustain them for a day or longer.
Leaving the Nest
We all know that eagles don't stay in their nest forever. The chicks are now at their full adult size. Their feathers are actually longer than the adults' wings until their first molt. The longer feathers on their wings will help support them in this next phase of learning how to fly and use their new skill! The chicks have been spreading their wings and doing a lot of jumping from one edge of the nest to the other. They are getting the feel for flapping them for flight. They will spend the next weeks doing this and "branching" - stepping on to the branches near the nest, perching and strengthening their grip.
They will take their first flight at about 10-12 weeks. Once they leave the nest, they will spend a month or two near the nest, begging for food from their parents and honing their flight and hunting skills. After a couple of months, they often fly with the adults and learn soaring skills -- eventually wandering off on their own.
It could be any day now that they will take their maiden flight out of the nest. Once they leave the nest, we may not see them on camera again, except for maybe at night occasionally. Enjoy them while you can, they are almost "off to college"!
We will continue to update here until the chicks fledge. The camera will remain on until the third week in August, so you may still have the opportunity to see the eagles in the nest from time to time, even after they leave the nest.
Special thank you to everyone who has donated to the Nongame Wildlife Fund! Your contributions make it possible for our hard-working team to bring this 24/7 spectacle into homes and classrooms around the world. We couldn't do it without your support.
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Thanks for posting the DNR update MpMom. I keep checking the nest thinking they are getting ready to take off!! Have a great weekend.
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Won't be long SSRL. Wish I could watch every day :(
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Is camera down? Been hoping to catch these two fledge, but camera is frozen at the 9:33am mark. Storm damage maybe?
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Hi Raleigheagle! Just turned it on when I got home & is working.
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/features/webcams/eaglecam/index.html
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Thanks MPMom. I'm back up and waiting for that fledge :)
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They need to get flapping, practicing ;D
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Great Pics MpMom, I saw some serious air time yesterday. Maybe today???? : ;D
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They sure have been wing working SSRL ;D
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I can hear him yapping :o
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Just checked the nest now for the first time today and saw one was gone. Missed it to MpMom. Thanks for posting. :)
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SSRL, the other wants to go ;)
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;D ;D
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Just checked the nest now MpMom, one gone, one on a branch and an adult in the nest!!! These are exciting times in the young eagles lives.
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Now is when they really learn 8)
From the MN DNR...
It's time for me to fly
What if I fall?
"Oh but my darling, what if you fly?" the iconic words of Australian poet Erin Hanson, come to mind this week as we watch the nest with trepidation. E1, the older and likely female eagle chick took her maiden flight out of the nest this week. It was an admirable sail from the nest, through the trees behind the nest. E2 was clearly surprised by the exit and ran to the other side of the nest to see where it's sibling went. Once she landed, a photographer on the ground, Thomas Demma, captured this beautiful image of the landing spot.
Later in the day, E1 came back to the nest to hang around for a while, likely looking for food. As we've mentioned before, during this time, the parents continue to provide food for the chicks, on and off of the nest. They will teach them how to find food on their own, on the ground and in the water. The chicks have lots to learn yet, like how to catch thermals in the wind and soar to amazing heights. They will continue to visit the nest from time to time and may even spend their nights there. The nest will remain their "safe spot", at least for a while, until they venture out completely on their own.
Final Newsletter for the season
The camera will remain on until the third week in August, so you may still have the opportunity to see the eagles in the nest from time to time, even after they leave the nest, but this will be our last update for the season.
This has been an exciting and challenging year for us and for the new parents on the nest. We hope you have enjoyed watching Minnesota bald eagles raise a family right in your living rooms, classrooms or wherever you viewed from.
We also hope that you will get outdoors with your families and continue to find joy in nature. We are very fortunate in Minnesota to have some of the most abundant wildlife, lakes, forests and state parks in the country. Everyone is welcome in nature. Take advantage of nature and all of its fun, beauty and peaceful tranquility.
Special thank you to everyone who has donated to the Nongame Wildlife Fund! We rely on your contributions - they make it possible for our hard-working team to bring this 24/7 spectacle into homes and classrooms around the world. We couldn't do it without your support. Thank you!
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Yep, just checked the nest now at 4:10 - empty and I saw Thomas Demma's photos yesterday, beautiful. :)
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Home now SSRL ;D
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Great pic of the whole family MpMom. Thanks for posting.
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You are welcome SSRL ;D
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I AM SICK :( :( >:( >:( >:(
FROM THE DNR...
Sad News
July 4, 2020
Yesterday was a sad day. We regret to inform you that E1 passed away yesterday. Unfortunately, she flew into a power line and was found dead. One of our photographers who monitors the nest reported a chick was dead and hanging from a near by power structure. He reported it to Nongame staff and we contacted Xcel Energy, who immediately responded and had a crew on site to retrieve the chick, which was identified as E1.
No one witnessed the event. Her wing caught a loop and she was found hanging. Once Xcel retrieved the remains, Nongame took possession of E1. It was determined that she was not electrocuted. It appears she hit the line and likely died on impact It happened some time between 8:30 am and 6 pm yesterday, July 3. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for eagles to perish by hitting power lines, but it is always sad to witness and report.
The first year of an eagle's life, particularly after fledging, is the most dangerous. The mortality rate of eagle chicks during the first year of life is greater than 50%. Survival after the first year is much higher.
We've witnessed dangers and mortality at our nest, yet never really knowing for sure how many chicks survive past their first year. Power lines, vehicles and predators are all hazards for eagles and many will encounter dangerous situations, especially when they are nesting so close to urban areas. Because Minnesota's eagle population is healthy, there is a higher percentage of eagle mortality. It is difficult to see mortality as a positive thing, but it does mean that our population as a whole is healthy.
Of course, we hope that E2 will continue to thrive and survive until adulthood. There is no way to protect birds from all of the environmental hazards, but escaping them will result in a stronger individual. E2 has, and will continue to visit the nest and we will keep the camera on until at least the end of August.
As we remember E1 and celebrate our nation's birthday, we wish a happy July 4th to everyone.
We also need to thank you for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program . We rely on your contributions - they make it possible for our team to be on call to respond to these emergencies 24/7. We couldn't do it without your support. Thank you!
Thomas Demma captured this beautiful image E1 right after fledge. RIP E1
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Ugg, yes this is sickening.....
Especially when many of us asked the DNR to make the area safer......remember that?...they say this wasn't an electrocution but years ago we thought we lost a few to something related to power lines.....Wish I knew exactly what was going on over there, and do hope it was just an accident, but given the many birds lost to power lines including electrocution me wonders.
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We spent a long time trying to make it safer KB. They just don't listen!!!
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We spent a long time trying to make it safer KB. They just don't listen!!!
Yep, and I also believe they just don't care...remember the Lori quote: Paraphrasing here: We have so many eagles we can't justify doing something about it..
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Yes, I do remember! I also sent all of the RRP plans for safeguarding to Lori & the energy co. I guess it was to much for them to handle. Decorah did it but no one else can >:( >:(
I do understand wires are a different story :(
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MNDNR rest in peace sweet lil E1, you were loved and will be dearly missed! :'(
E1, E2 and E3 GIF recorded March 19th 2020
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This one was March 21 2020
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To our lil E1, rest in peace lil one ❤️
Little angels with Eagle wings
To fly high and watch over
The nests that we see
And the ones that we never
To soar high in human hearts
And bring peace in our pain
Fly free with E3, little E1
Reach for the heavens, fly through the rain
On your Eagle wings so strong
Rejoice with those brave before you
You are our Eagle guardian angel
The love you leave will see us through.
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Mp :-*
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Haven't seen the kid in the nest now for a few days! :)
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Here he is SSRL ;D
I have been watching every day & he showed up 8)
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I see the camera is up and running for the new season!!! :)
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2020-2021 season has begun ;D ;D
Hi SSRL! Just checked in and one is home ;D
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MpMom - it's always exciting to see what challenges and excitement the new season will bring. Nature has a way of mixing things up when you least expect it!!
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SSRL, I am excited to watch the season roll out too!!!
The cam has not been working since yesterday. Hoping it is fixed on Monday.
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SSRL, I am excited to watch the season roll out too!!!
The cam has not been working since yesterday. Hoping it is fixed on Monday.
Well, that's a bummer, MpMom....I'll check back and look forward to your posts..
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Back again ;)
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Thanks for the pics MpMom, I haven't caught anyone in the nest for a while.
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Here is one today ;D
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We have a 3rd eagle. I tried to get it but missed.
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I've followed this nest for years, actually before I ever discovered the RRP nests. I'm always somewhat disappointed each year in the quality of the video image. There always seems to be a lot of pixilating with any movement. Is this problem unique to me? The images from the Decorah nests are always crystal clear. Just wondering if this might be due to the absence of camera operators at this nest.
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Hi Raleigheagle!
I don't know what the problem is but does have a lot of pixilating. Hard to get a good pic.
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Thanks MPMom. I think I'll just have to chalk it up to a lack of a camera operator. The camera rocking in the trees is probably not a good recipe for clear still shots. You sure seem to be better at it than me though :)
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Thanks for all the pics you've been posting MpMom. I still hardly ever catch anyone at the nest. The third eagle Hmmmmm, it will add to the drama this year. ;)
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The couple has been trying to protect their nest as others fly around coming & going. :-\
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MpMom is there are new male now or is it still Sid and Nancy?
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I haven't heard of a new couple so I am guessing it is Sid & Nancy, until they say different. ;)
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I just checked in on the nest and one was home :) It also looks like an upside down turtle shell in the nest. I didn't get a screen shot because I forgot how on this PC :-\
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Okay I did a screen shot and cropped it to point out the turtle shell but it got a little blurry. Let's see if this pic will post.
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SSRL, I do think it is a turtle shell. On Dec 7th I posted a pic of it & called it a UFO ;D :o
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MpMom, I just went back and checked your UFO, it is definitely a turtle shell and yesterday, it was flipped over belly side up ;D "Identified"!!
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LOL SSRL
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Got lucky today!!
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Glad someone was home for you SSRL ;D
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And Merry Christmas to you MpMom. Hope you had a good day.🎄🎅🤶
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Thank you SSRL, I did & hope you had a great Christmas too ;D
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Good to see two this morning thanks for posting MpMom. When I checked the nest earlier, no birds home.
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They come & go quite fast SSRL :o
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Yes MpMom, I think there is a new younger male in the picture now. Not sure where Sid went?
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I don't know SSRL but keep watching as things are ever changing :o
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I'll keep watching but I think Sid is gone and the new young male is in for some of Nancy's "training". Like you say, things are ever changing throughout the season but I'm thinking Sid may have left the room ;)
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I agree SSRL :(
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Cool pics, MpMom!...thanks....funny, call snow removal, LOL...
"My pair" that perch across the street from me have just gone from 2 at a time perching to 1 now?....I wonder if one is incubating now but thought too early for this neck of the woods. But, then I remember original Mom of this nest...
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Hi KB! Thanks!!!
It may be a bit early, maybe just having fun before the hard work begins :-\
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Happy New Year!!! I don't know how to insert some fun pics but just imagine........... ;)
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Hi SSRL ;D
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Kind of hard for me to see but I think it's the new young male with a few of the darker head feathers but could be wrong. About 2:30 PM today.
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It is hard to tell SS. I am sure they will be zooming during the week to keep a watch of these 2.
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It appears some are calling the new male Harry - I kind of like it :D
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All is good SS ;D 8)
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Hmm resting in the bowl MpMom, maybe eggs are in the not too distant future ;)
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Should be next month SSRL 8)
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Still there an hour later ;)
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And still here ;D Great pic Raleigh!!
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Great pics today MpMom and Raleigheagle. I especially like the headshots ;D
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8:30 this morning.
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I just checked in but no birds are home right now. Snowing and it's going to be a lot. Been snowing at my house since 7:00 AM, thank for posting pics MpMom and Raleigheagle.
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Swans on the eagle cam this afternoon :)
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Good Morning
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They sure are getting busy Raleigh!!
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Thanks, MpMom!
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You're welcome KB 8)
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Thanks for the capture shots MPMom. I had not seen the pair near the nest together for a few days, and was concerned something had happened to one of them. Only one at the nest again this morning.
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Here they are Raleigh.
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Thanks MPMom. I always seem to tune in when only one is in view. Caught the pair on rewind this morning.
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Thanks MpMom for the pics this morning.
Raleigheagle, seems like lately the only way I see them in on rewind! ;)
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You're welcome Raleigh & SSRL ;)
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That's what I thought too MpMom when I looked at all the snow in the nest. We got about 4" at our house and luckily I have someone to help clear it all away! ;)
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Look who is by the nest!!
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He is beautiful SSRL & Raleigh ;D
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Looks like we are testing the bowl. A few weeks from eggs with any luck.
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Nice pics this morning MpMom and Raleigheagle, I'm hoping for some eggs in the next few weeks too. :)
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Will be an interesting season. I got a DNR email report & they said we have the same female from last year but she picked up a new young male & they have been mating. So my thoughts are...we'll see how the egg process goes this year, being he's a young buck. 8) :-\
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Looks like maybe pigeon for breakfast.
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Another shot of breakfast
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Something has their attention.
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MpMom and Raleigheagle, very busy in the nest today and it's getting windy too.
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It has been very busy here Raleigh & SS :o
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testing if I can post here.
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:o Hmmm I don't know what happened to my pics from yesterday & this morning >:(
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just check in and they are back...
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Working into the afternoon, eggs maybe in the next couple weeks? :)
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Would be nice SS ;D ;D
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Happy Valentine's Day!!
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I think Nancy got a duck, saw the webbed feet
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I think Nancy got a duck, (I think I also lost my post somewhere) ???
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Found my post ::)
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Something is going on with trying to post. I get Peepspy for my name & posting is screwed up >:(
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Bad news with the forum!!!! Just had Gingers name this time :(
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Just now getting in under my name I think!..thanks mpMom
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I hear you KB! I had 4 or 5 different names :o
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My gosh, we have an egglet as of 4:47 this afternoon ;D
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My gosh, we have an egglet as of 4:47 this afternoon ;D
Wow!...great catch.
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Sweet....this nest and the Decorah North nests are the two I primarily watch. Both with the first egg on the same day!!
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;) I just hope he helps her being he is so young ;)
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This nest this year is just like the WE nest was last year. It may take this dad a year for him to kick into dad mode.
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I'm sure the eagles know what they are doing, but I sure can't help but start getting very anxious when the egg is abandoned in subfreezing temps for over 20 minutes. Its still fresh in my mind this nest from two years ago when the eggs were abandoned.
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This is exciting, I hope Harry helps Nancy too it would be great if we had a good year at the nest!!
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He will know when it kicks in next year. I've seen this a few times. She can't stay on an egglet 24hrs a day.
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Awe, MpMom...uuf dah....wish it were warmer like it is supposed to be...wouldn't be as terrifying with this young man...
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I know KB.
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Just checked the nest again and good to see Harry is trying to do his part!!
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He is doing good SSRL 8)
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He is doing a good job so far MpMom!!! I just checked the nest and he's on the egg keeping it warm. What's the difference, if any, between incubation and brooding?
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SSRL... He is doing great!!!!!
As nouns the difference between incubation and brooding
is that incubation is sitting on eggs for the purpose of hatching young; a brooding on, or keeping warm, to develop the life within, by any process while brooding is a spell of brooding; the time when someone broods.
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I love this pair. So much fun watching a first time dad, and those young black feathers on his head just make him unique. Also great for telling them apart. Need to enjoy it this year, as I'm sure that head will be snow white after this season.
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Raleigh, I love them too! I can't wait to watch him feed the kid or kids ;D
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He's a very fast learner. Shift change this morning only left the egg exposed for about a minute before he arrived. :)
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He amazes me!!!
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Thanks for the explanation MpMom. Now I understand the difference. So these two would be brooding now?
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Yes SS ;)
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The little man has this routine down pat. :)
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I wonder if our little man knows he has 2 egglets ;D 8)
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I hope he starts sitting again.
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Where is he this morning? Starting to get concerning. I hate seeing those eggs uncovered.
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The eggs aren't left very long & mom comes back. I don't think he has been to the nest since the 2nd egg was laid. I don't know what is going on. Hope he comes this morning. I heard them talking earlier.
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She must not be able to get him to come to egglet sit.
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I just checked in, and happy to see he is back on egg duty.
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One minute turn around this morning. He must have been scolded by mom for staying out too late on Saturday. :)
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LOL Raleigh ;D
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Frosty wings this morning.
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Another quick shift change this morning. She flew off at 7:00am and he was on duty at 7:01. :)
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Not sure what was disturbing her this morning. I tried to see something on rewind, but she must have seen something in the nest, maybe a mouse?
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I just noticed I have the wrong dates on the pictures from yesterday :-\ ::)
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No problem MpMom, didn't even notice....was too busy looking at the pictures you shared :)
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I'm lucky I know what day it is SS ;)
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I know what you mean on the day Mp, woke up and couldn't believe it was Friday already. ;)
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LOL SS. I woke this morning & thought it was Friday & woke Pete up to go to work :o
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Brave lil mouse!
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I know Lisa ;D
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Great picture MpMom. This young guy has really caught on fast. Hopefully he is just as good at stocking the pantry when we have a hatch.
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I know Raleigh I can't wait for a hatch ;D
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Mom leaving for a break after calling for the little man.
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Love that pic Raleigh ;D
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From the DNR---
Waiting to see what hatches
The count-down has begun!
The first egg arrived in our eagle nest on February 15, and the second and final egg was laid on February 20 - over 90 hours between the two eggs! The length of time between the two eggs being laid is quite long, though it's still within normal range for eagles. Now that it has been more than a week, we know there will not be a third egg. The average clutch size for eagles is 1-3. It is the first time we've had only two eggs; every other successful clutch at this nest has had three eggs. It is possible that young eagles produce fewer eggs to ensure the success of the chicks. We are very fortunate to have eggs at all this year, as our male is young (approaching 5 years old), and this is likely his first nesting attempt. Many eagle pairs often don't produce eggs or young their first year as a mated pair. Having only two mouths to feed should be easier for the new pair to manage.
During incubation, the female sits on the eggs most of the time, but the male also helps. They make sure the eggs are protected from the weather, and they roll them around to keep all parts of the egg at the same temperature and to prevent the developing embryo inside the egg from sticking to the egg shell. Both parents are vigilant in protecting the eggs from predators or intruders. Our young male is proving to be a good protector of the nest and the eggs. He will need to learn how to bring food into the nest for the female, as well as two chicks when they come. This will determine how successful the hatch will be.
Don't be alarmed if the eggs are left uncovered for a short while. It's normal, even in cold weather for the parents to lightly cover the eggs with grasses and leave temporarily. Unless the egg is left for hours at this "delayed incubation" stage, the egg will not freeze and should hatch without any trouble. Get ready to see those cute bobble-heads in about 35 days, around March 23. The first chick will be days ahead of the second one, since each egg needs at least 35 days to incubate. This will give the older one an advantage, but both chicks should be able to thrive with only two mouths to be fed.
Get outside -- it's Spring!
Watching the EagleCam is both educational and fun. But there's lots going on outdoors this time of year, too.
Listen for coyotes howling in the evening as they seek mates. Hawks also begin their mating season this time of year, complete with acrobatic flights, dives, and piercing screams. Migrating birds return to fill the air with their calls. As ice leaves the St. Croix, Mississippi and other rivers, you may see large numbers of waterfowl. Afton State Park offers some great eagle watching opportunities in the Spring, as does Frontenac State Park between Red Wing and Lake City. Some birds that stick around all winter begin to change their tune when Spring is in the air. The northern cardinal, for instance, switches to a more elongated whistling song in March to establish its territory and attract a partner.
Old-timers say that when the cardinal and the chickadee start singing their Spring songs, it’s time to tap trees for maple syrup. The same springtime freeze-thaw cycle that gives rise to potholes in Minnesota roads causes the sap to flow in the maple trees, providing the raw material that can be boiled down into tasty maple syrup. Squirrels know all about that. You can often see them on a warm March day gnawing around buds or broken branches to get at the sweet sap. In March, they need the extra calories, because they may be caring for a nest of youngsters.
Made possible by. . . YOU!
This update, the EagleCam itself, and a host of other Nongame Wildlife Program efforts to sustain Minnesota's wildlife diversity is only possible because of the donations and support of people like you. Thanks so much!
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Dad is on the nest again at 2:06 today
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She seems to be calling him earlier and earlier each morning. This morning it was around 6am. Maybe that's a pattern that happens as the days lengthen toward spring. He is always good about appearing without delay.
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I couldn't get the cam up this morning :o
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It's definitely a wet one today MpMom and I couldn't get the cam up yesterday morning either!
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It was a nasty day yesterday :(
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Morning shift change. Within one minute our little man was there on duty :)
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Nice catch of the egg roll MPMom :)
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Thank you Raleigh! ;D
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Raleigh, I like when both are on the nest ;D
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He really has grown on me MpMom, hope he keeps it up!!
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Something has them both on alert this afternoon.
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He is a good boy Raleigh. I can't wait to see him with kids ;D
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Good looking and responsible man :D
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Day 35 for the first egg. We are in the hatch watch window. :) :)
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I can't wait Raleigh ;D
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Nice look at the eggs MpMom. Hopefully we'll spot a pip soon.
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Wish we would get a better look when they roll them ;)
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I watched on rewind a few times. I think its only fluff for now. On day 35 I see pips all over the eggs from staring at them so long. :)
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I think you're right Raleigh. It won't be long ;)
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This nest and Decorah north nest both had their first egg on the same day. We have a pip at the North nest. I'm sure we are only hours from one here as well. Eggciting times ;)
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Yahoo! Hope they let us see the egglets ;)
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Those eggs look way too perfect MpMom. I want to see that little break :)
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They do look perfect Raleigh ;)
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Could it be??
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Could be Raleigh
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They need to roll both egglets so we can see :-\
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Lol.....I want so bad to climb that tree and get a close look.
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We have a pip in the 3rd pic. I saw the baby poke its beak out ;D
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Great Catch MpMom. I cant wait to see how our young dad handles his parental duties. This is going to be fun to watch.
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I can't wait either Raleigh ;D
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Another great picture. Looks like we'll probably have a bobblehead by the end of the day :)
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Thanks for the news MpMom!....will check in for progress...glad you are on it!
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This is getting exciting you guys :D
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FROM THE DNR....
It's hatch time!
WARNING: Cute, fuzzy bobble-heads just ahead!
Yesterday, March 25, we were ale to confirm our first pip! While the cam was zoomed in on the eggs, we noticed a tiny beak with its egg tooth popping out of the pip hole. The egg tooth is a small nub on the top of the beak with which the chick scrapes the inside of the egg, until it creates a small hole in the shell. This means that hatch should occur within 24 hours. Since March 22 was 35 days from the first egg, this pip is likely the first egg to have been laid. The second egg was laid five days from the first and will hatch within a day or two, as well. This synchronized hatching is due to delayed incubation. The five days before the second egg was laid, the parents were only incubating enough to keep the egg from freezing. Full incubation (the "cooking" process) began as soon as the second egg was laid. This delayed incubation allows both eggs to hatch within a day or two of each other. This process gives the chicks the best chance at survival. When one chick is 5 days further developed than the first, the smaller chick does not fare well. Older, stronger siblings can beat up or kill a younger sibling (something we have sadly witnessed in the past). This is just the way nature works. As we have said before, having only two mouths to feed should be easier for the new pair to manage.
An interesting observance was made at another eaglecam this week. The nest also has a microphone, but it is right in the nest (ours is not). The eggs are very close to hatching, and when it was very quiet, the mic picked up the chicks peeping in the egg! Our nest is in an urban area with lots of noise around, and because our mic could not be placed right in the nest, we cannot hear chicks peeping. But we can be sure mom and dad hear it! The first picture above, shows the female looking like she might be listening to something. Could it be the peeping of her chicks? It's hard to tell, but it is is one way the eagles know their eggs are about to hatch.
Watching the cam in the next few weeks will be very exciting. Watching these huge, regal birds gently feeding their young tiny pieces of food is one of nature's finest displays. The first food brought to the nest is generally fish. We've not seen this pair eat fish yet this season, so the next few days should prove interesting and educational.
The new, young male has a lot of learning to do and the female will show him the ropes as she has been doing throughout this season. He has picked up this nesting and incubating thing very well and seemed like he knew just what to do at each stage. While it's common for the male to bring food to the female while she is incubating, this male has been relieving the female to allow her to catch her own food. When he isn't relieving her, he is fiercely defending the nest from intruders and would-be suitors. He has been busy! Our on-the-ground photographers have seen him chasing away bird after bird, keeping the female safe to incubate their eggs.
This pair should prove to be good parents to the new chicks and will will soon see dry fuzz-heads in the nest - likely this weekend. Enjoy the cam, but be sure to get outside and enjoy spring. Whether you're in Minnesota or California, it's a beautiful time of year.
Extra time for enjoying nature
State and federal officials have extended the deadline for filing individual income taxes from the usual April 15 to May 17 this year. That means more time to get outside and experience the exciting sights, sounds and smells of Spring! It also gives you an extra month to consider designating an amount to be donated to the Nongame Wildlife Program on line 18 of your Minnesota income tax form. The Nongame Wildlife Program helps protect Minnesota's wildlife diversity, and it provides opportunities to learn about our natural world through features such as this EagleCam.
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Thanks, MpMom!...let's hope this little man can learn to bring in fish from the pond right below him!
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You bet KB! Our new dad brought a fish in this morning, it is on the side of the nest.
Be back later-need to start dinner 8)
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All I can say is AWE........thanks.
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You're welcome KB!!
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He needs to bring food this am ;)
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know who brought in the northern?..
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Not sure KB but could have been dad ;)
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Adorable, MpMom!
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Hi Lisa! He's a cutie ;D
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Hi Lisa! He's a cutie ;D
How is the new Dad doing?
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I think he is the one bringing the food but I haven't seen him feed yet. Considering he is so young I think he is doing a good job. At least he will sit on the nest & let mom go for a bit. ;)
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I think he is the one bringing the food but I haven't seen him feed yet. Considering he is so young I think he is doing a good job. At least he will sit on the nest & let mom go for a bit. ;)
That is good to hear! Maybe he is taking notes from the Mom on feeding. ;)
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New Dad is awesome. Haven’t seen him feed yet, but he’s stocking the pantry
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He is a good dad. Can't wait til he starts feeding.
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You sure are good at catching those pips MpMom. Looks like we’ll have a sibling real soon.
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12 years of snipping Raleigh ;D
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And Happy Birthday MpMom!!
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Oh Thank you SS :-*
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Congrats on the new baby!
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Thanks Lisa ;D
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Great pictures MpMom. And Happy Birthday
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Thank you Raleigh!!!
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Mom was having a difficult time keeping her balance and trying to feed with the wind this morning.
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It sure is windy out Raleigh.
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;) It is a hit & miss but he is trying ;)
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Looks like we were watching at the same time. ;)
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He is doing a good job considering he is a new dad ;D
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Dad learning to feed :) I think he's going to be a very good Dad, just needs practice!! Thanks for all the feeding pic MpMom and Raleigh
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You can get sea sick watching these feedings today
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Yes, very windy Raleigh!!!
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Great pics, MpMom! Glad the Dad is feeding!
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Lisa, dad is doing an awesome job ;D
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Progress MpMom!....have been afraid to look with the fierce winds.....so thanks.
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Both are doing a great job KB. Be not afraid ;D 8)
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Yay, for the new Dad!
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New Dad has been nothing short of fantastic :D
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Yep, dad has been great Lisa & Raleigh 8)
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MNDNR
Dad feeding babies
(https://i.gyazo.com/3dd3553817b9eb36b25183e9b1a05fd9.gif)
MN DNR ~ Proud & Tender Moments!! First Time Dad Feeds His Babies!! 💕💖💕 3.30.21
https://youtu.be/OSboMH1t0wY via LadyHawk
Mom gets up from brooding the eaglets and Dad is right there for the change over. He comes over and looks lovingly at his babies...such a precious moment. He stands there for a few minutes watching then and then he goes to brood them - but they are wiggling underneath him! Dad gets back up and picks up some of the squirrel prey and begins to feed them both!! It was a beautiful feeding for our young first time Dad! I knew he would do this when he was alone on the nest!! Mom returns and takes over and broods them and Dad will fly off very proud of his accomplishment today!
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Decorah Dad reincarnated. :D
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It gets hard to watch those feedings sometimes when you see the smaller eaglet get missed. After watching for years, I know it usually always works out in the end, but in the back of my head I'm always thinking about that chance of losing one to sibling rivalry. I catch myself begging to parent to do an equal feeding every time.
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Eating now Raleigh 8)
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Hello World
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Great pictures MpMom. This nest is so much fun to watch.
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Gotta love these kids Raleigh ;D
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Thanks for all the pics and fun commentary MpMom and Raleigh. I've been working this week and do quick nest checks when I can. Love this new dad!
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No problem SSRL1 Dad is a great dad ;D
From the DNR...
The eagles have landed!
The first chick hatched on Friday, March 26, at about 1:25 p.m. The second chick hatched at about 3:20 p.m. on Sunday, March 28.
The moments we've all been waiting for - the cute little eagle chicks have come! Both chicks entered the world after their egg shells successfully collapsed under the pressure of the growing chick's body. Mom was present for the first hatch, dad for the second. Before hatching, the eggshell became thinner and weaker than when it was laid, as the growing embryo absorbed calcium from the shell for its bones. At that stage of development, the chick was already breathing with its lungs and it would rub its egg tooth against the shell, cutting a small hole. The hole grew larger, until the egg hatched.
After Eaglet 1 (E1) hatched, mom took advantage of the leftover albumen (egg white) and consumed it. The albumen is mostly consumed by the chick before hatching and is rich with important protein and fat.
Our pair is busy taking turns feeding and caring for their young. Even our young male has stepped up to the task of feeding the young, and has been doing a great job feeding them tiny, appropriately-sized bites of food. With lots of prey brought into the nest, there are lots of remains scattered about, too.
It's understandable that people who spend a lot of time watching this eagle family may become emotionally invested in their welfare. But we need to trust nature to work in its own ways. It may be hard to watch sometimes, but what's unfolding in the nest is part of a normal, natural process. Sometimes we need to take a break from the cam. Usually, a concerning development in the nest resolves within a few hours, or a day or so. We need to remember that we are just observers and will not and should not intervene.
We hope you are enjoying this intimate peek into the lives of this eagle pair. As always, we appreciate your dedication, your interest in our program and your generous donations! Thank you!
Donate Now
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Thanks for the DNR update MpMom. I hope their stance on not interfering is flexible. I understand we need to accept the trials and tribulations of nature, but if there is a case where stepping in helps insure the survival of the nest, I would hope they would. A good example was the Southwest Florida nest. Both chicks had eye infections. They were temporarily removed from the nest, treated at a vet, and returned. The parents took right back up feeding them. They should be fledging in a few days. To me that is a success story, and as a result we have two more healthy eagles taking to the sky.
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(http://dl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/2133/2133691y9s83vh3u3.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
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Proud mama
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So cute MpMom....just chiming in to thank you for your updates...I visit every day and look forward to them. They must be getting close to being able to thermoregulate? am I close?
Hate to see them wet and lots of rain coming through the week...so far fairly warm but dropping below freezing at night coming up...I'm not worried just wondering about how old they are now.
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Thank you KB!!! Getting close ;)
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Not sure what Dad is feeding for lunch?
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Another view
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It is very odd SSRL. I have no idea what it is.
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It appears to be a skull of something??? Maybe a fawn? I remember a fawn head brought into the Decorah North nest two years ago for DN9.
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I thought it looked like a skull too Raleigh. Hmmm
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Great picture of the kids MpMom
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Dad made a nice effort to feed the tail end of a fish. No takers. Must have had full crops ready for a nap.
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I'm getting a little nervous about the little one. He doesn't seem to be near as active at meal times. Obviously taking a lot of bonks on the head as well.
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Little one has had a couple of good feedings during the am. They need to bring more fish in, instead of trying to pull that rabbit or squirrel skin into pieces.
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As always, thanks for posting these pic everyday MpMom. I check in, but don't always comment. Yes a nice fish would be good for the kids now.
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Good to see you SSRL!
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I think you are correct in believing we need a couple of nice fish here. I compare the crop size on these little ones to the young at the DNN, and there is a big difference. After the feedings at the North nest, those two look like they have a golf ball caught in their throat.
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Yep Raleigh, lots of fish are needed.
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They really need to bring in food for our kids!!!!
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Actually looked like the little one had the larger crop after this feeding. Good to see.
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It was great to see Raleigh ;D
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They need a couple of fish again. That fur isn't doing it. :(
If our little one doesn't get a lot more food & the other doesn't stop bonking he will not make it :(
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Everytime I have looked at the nest today, the kids are alone???
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They have been alone alot SSRL. :(
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So good to see the full crops. I was getting worried and then a rabbit was brought in! :)
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Can't help but worry about them, but they always managed to work things out before the cameras. ;) So nice to see those full crops. It is a mystery why they seem to be left alone more often than other eaglets. Could be the new dad working through the lessons of parenthood. Thankfully the temperatures have been on their side.
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I understand nature at work but still worry because tonight and tomorrow it will be in the high 20's at night. :(
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I watched mom & Number 1 eat a fish, 2 got nothing 703am cst 4-19-2021
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Looks like the little one has been holding his own. I keep checking in to see what his crop looks like :)
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So far he is doing good. I know he is hungry though.
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Feeling less worried 8)
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I'm feeling better about the little one as well. He seems to be holding his own now.
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I feel better about little one too 8) He is a fighter!!
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We are watching the nest at the same time MpMom. Glad there is food and both eating. Still feels like parents are off the nest a lot. About 37F here, chilly and wet.
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Dad sure is stepping up!
Yes, it is cold today :(
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Love the last picture as they keep a look out ;)
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Thanks SSRL ;D
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:( If they kept the kids full the older one wouldn't be beating the little one :(
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Good pic MpMom and the kids do look great today. :)
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They sure do SSRL ;D
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Thank you MpMom. I have been away for the past week, and have not been able to check on the nest. It's nice to get a review of the week with pictures. I was up in the Wabasha Minnesota area fishing for the week. Always love making that trip, seeing all the eagle nests with young, and making a visit to the National Eagle Center.
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I bet you had a wonderful time Raleigh! I love going to Wabasha!!
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Most definately MpMom.
The fishing was great, the eagle viewing was even better, and you can't beat the delicious walleye fingers at the Triangle pub :)
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The pantry at the nest looks pretty low. Looked like they were fighting over a piece of a road kill pelt earlier today. Need to see some nice fat fish.
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Triangle Pub, I'll have to go down & try it out Raleigh! YUM!!!
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Eating! :)
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(http://dl4.glitter-graphics.net/pub/2204/2204534dbmzeib4bo.jpg) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
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Back at ya, MpMom
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I thought I saw a fish brought in yesterday. Hard to tell. Never seem to get a clear view of the feedings. Both kids seem to be doing well though.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY KB!!!!!!
(http://dl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/201/201041k18hkdmodr.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
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Thanks much, MpMom.....hope you had a lovely anniversary as well!...
Nice to see the kids doing well and getting big!..
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Hope you had a great day KB!!! Kids are doing great. They actually look like twins now. 8)
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I'm glad these two are doing well. The parents seem to bring a lot more road kill to this nest vs. some of the other ones I watch. Decorah North nest seems to have fresh fish brought in daily. I know they are opportunistic, and eat what is available, it just surprises me that there is no visible difference in the development of the young.
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:o This is the 1st time I noticed the bands :o
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Why did we not know this...They turned the cam off on May 4th & I just read the kids were banned on May 4th. I never noticed the bands until today.
I read & got the pics from the DNR FB page.
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Happy Birthday SSRL!!! Enjoy your day!!! (http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/678/678963bw5rtow6av.gif)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/98/2d/f8/982df8f9ae936ee5b186d00984ad5600.jpg)
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Thank you Lori and I think it will be a great day. Love that little GSD. :-*
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY SSRL!!!!!
(http://dl8.glitter-graphics.net/pub/708/708258z77xitimzp.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
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Thank you MpMom, I had a wonderful day!!
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That is wonderful SSRL ;D
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Great pictures MpMom. Nice to see the kids finally drying out.
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(http://dl8.glitter-graphics.net/pub/2157/2157918myig95a92a.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
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Wont be long before these two take to the sky. Probably getting into the fledge window the end of this week. Always a bitter sweet time.
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Raleigh, I will miss them take off, am leaving for 14 days. They will be missed!!!!
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You can't leave MpMom. We're all counting on you. ;) I'll try my best to catch it for you either live or on rewind. You're right.....I'm going to miss these two. New dad did a great job this year, as it looks like we will avoid any casualties at the nest. Hopefully once they leave they will avoid the power lines.
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We will miss you MpMom. Thanks for stepping up Raleigh, I'll try to catch it too. It has been a fun nest and so happy Dad stepped up to help out. Have a good trip MpMom.
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Calm and quiet on the nest this morning.
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Thank you Raleigh! Can't wait to see the pics when I get back :-*
I am going to miss them. They seem to have become closer.
Thanks SSRL!!! :-*
Helping our daughter move back into her home. ;D
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Good luck MpMom. Moving is always such a great time. ::)
Waiting on breakfish this morning.
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Thanks for taking over for MpMom Raleigh while she's gone.....100 degrees here right now..
Hang on kiddos..
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Thanks again Raleigh for getting pics of the nest. I just checked it and it is super windy here today. Hope no one falls out of the nest! It's a little scary to watch.
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No official word, but it appears we may have had a fledge yesterday. There were two in the nest yesterday morning. I didn't get a screen shot because the image was very cloudy (maybe the humidity). Anyway, only one in the nest this morning.
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No official word, but it appears we may have had a fledge yesterday. There were two in the nest yesterday morning. I didn't get a screen shot because the image was very cloudy (maybe the humidity). Anyway, only one in the nest this morning.
Raleigh, according to other nest watchers she's on the ground...she slipped and couldn't get back up.
This info from Friends of Minnesota Nongame Eagle Cam fb page...
Hopefully all will be well for her....
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Thanks, I went back and watched it on rewind. About 4:56am this morning you can see it took off to a nearby branch, and then fell as it was trying to return to the nest. Like you said, hopefully we have no injury.
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Looks like the camera operators found E1 in the lower branches.
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Looks like the camera operators found E1 in the lower branches.
That's for the capture, Raleigh!
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Looks like this one is keeping an eye on the sibling, somewhere down below and to the right.
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Photo provided from someone on the ground today. With the current heat wave, E1 is probably more comfortable in the shade below than the one still in the nest.
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Thanks Raleigh, just got home from work and just now checking in!
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Waiting on breakfish this morning. Hopefully there is also delivery to the apartment below.
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Branching to the nearest shade this afternoon to escape the heat.
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Camera operator found E1 again. Still down below and to the right of the nest.
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Thanks Raleigh you're doing a great job keeping up with this nest (and the lower level) activity ;D
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Thanks ssrl. I'm trying to check in at least once or twice a day. I owe MpMom after she did such a great job all through the nesting season keeping everyone up to date.
Still have our holdout on the nest this morning. Maybe he's waiting for MpMom to return before fledging :)
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Hi, just checking status on E1, thank you so much Raleigh & ALL of you for the updates & photos!
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There is a friends of DNR eaglecam facebook page that has a video of E1 leaving the perch below the nest. She can then be seen flying in the background, so she has officially fledged now. Hope to see her on the nest soon for feeding.
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There is a friends of DNR eaglecam facebook page that has a video of E1 leaving the perch below the nest. She can then be seen flying in the background, so she has officially fledged now. Hope to see her on the nest soon for feeding.
Thanks for the info and pics, Raleigh :)
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Back together again :D
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Back together again :D
Aww, thanks Raleigh!
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Raleigh,
thank you so much for posting the falls & fledgings. I so appreciate looking at your pics! We just got home (12 hr drive) :( & had to check in. I sure missed them but caught both at home ;D Our kids are growing up!!
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My pleasure MpMom. Glad to see the pair back together this morning.
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Still together this afternoon 8)
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Still together this afternoon 8)
Happy to see you back safely MpMom!..it was quite the kerfuffle when you were gone..
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Thanks KB! I heard that & am so glad Raleigh kept us up to date!
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Have we had an official fledge for the second one yet? I've seen him branch quite a bit to escape the heat, but I haven't seen him leave the nest tree yet.
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Raleigh, I think E2 has fledged now.
The Pat Burke from FB group that follows the nest reported about 4 hours ago "E2 just went off the side. Tried to land next to E1 on the branch and they both tangled and E2 went downward and E1 hung onto the branch. E2 IS ON A BRANCH IN THE DISTANCE. Found his wings and kept on going." ;D
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Awesome. Thanks for the update ssrl and the photo MpMom.
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You are welcome ;D
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Looks like just one spent the night on the nest last night.
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Had mom and dad on the nest earlier. Getting harder to tell the parents apart. I think raising these two youngsters has caused our young males head to go all white. :D
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LOL Raleigh ;D
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Good one Raleigh ;D
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Good morning kids
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Love seeing them together Raleigh!!
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Early this morning. One scouting for nestovers. Most recent check saw an empty nest. Hopefully these two hang around and return to the nest for a while, so we can all enjoy them on camera a little longer.
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Empty nest this morning. :(
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I guess they are off learning to be "eagles" ;)
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I guess they are off learning to be "eagles" ;)
They are a little young yet to be "off learning to be eagles".....I hope to see them back around soon. They just "fludted" Fledged and haven't yet learned how to hunt....Crossing my fingers.
Thomas Demma did post he saw one of them nearby.
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Nice catch MpMom. I managed to tune in and find a late breakfast being enjoyed on the nest this morning.
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I guess they are off learning to be "eagles" ;)
They are a little young yet to be "off learning to be eagles".....I hope to see them back around soon. They just "fludted" Fledged and haven't yet learned how to hunt....Crossing my fingers.
Thomas Demma did post he saw one of them nearby.
Thanks KB, I guess I misspoke. I figured "learning to be eagles" starts even before they fledge. I didn't think they were gone for good, just out there practicing flying and other things they do when young. I thought this was normal behavior for young eagles, but I'm definitely learning myself. ;)
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Still hanging out. :)
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Where is that waiter with my food?
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Nice to see the kids come home for a visit this morning.
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It is nice to see them Raleigh ;D
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Looking for breakfish this morning.
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Love seeing both kids Raleigh!!
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So good to see both of them....Have a Happy 4th of July weekend MpMom!
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Thank you KB & the same to you!!! Great to see you!!
(http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/2309/2309602ormc1b0yps.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
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Those two seem to get along well. Hard to believe it was only a short time ago when we were worried the small one might not survive.
Have a Great Independence Day MpMom. Thank you for sharing all your photos.
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I am so happy the kids get along now. It was a long haul ;)
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Anticipating breakfish, but it looks like the parent prefers to just sit above the nest and watch.
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I've been out of town and just now checking in. Thanks for the updates MpMom. So happy to see both kids are around.
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Camera down the past two days. I hope they haven't shut it down for the season already.
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Camera back up and one kid on a branch in the nest tree!!
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I caught one baby 8)
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I was happy to see camera back up this morning. Caught one of the kids looking for leftovers.
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One stopped by early this morning.
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Now moving sticks around!!
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So far so good! :)
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Both hanging around this morning. Nice to see them around the nest.
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Howdy !
I 've spent the last few minutes skimming thru the thread to get a handle on what's been going on here and the history.
Will try to be more attentive next season so I don't go around 'Dah? What's up..." LOL
Mp had no idea you kept up w/so many nests.
You do a marvelous job keeping us all in 'The Know".
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LOL Phyliz! I use to do 12 nests, happy to be down to 5 or 6 8)
This nest is only 1/2 hr from me ;D
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That close huh.
So you ever drive there for a visit?
12 nests is a ton to keep tracking.
I'm in awe of 5 nests.
Wonderful captures.
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No but there is a photographer who goes the & posts pics on the DNR FB page.
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Luv the last pic...those full 'face' shots get me.
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Totally agree with Phyliz. MpMom you are awesome at keeping up with what's going on at the various nests. This was the first nest I ever started to follow, so its always been a little special for me. I follow the nests from NC, but always make one or two trips each year up to the Wabasha area of the Mississippi river to fish and photograph the eagles.
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Awww thanks Phyliz & Raleigh!!! :-* There are a few nest that I really love so it is fun to take pics of the kids.
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Awwww. The 'kids' look great. :-* :-* :-*
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One home this morning looking for some breakfish.
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Thanks Raleigheagle. a hungry child looking for a snack and bare pantry. Nice capture. I can never get the nack of doing those. Just not quick enough I guess.
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Raleigh, I am so happy they keep coming back ;D
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Ditto, MpMom....rained here a titch in the last hour or so....not heavy but needed......
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Mp...I spy one child in the right-hand corner. Lucky for me you had the blue arrow pointing the way. Never would have seen.
Glad to see returns to the nest, too.
Thanks.
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Same here KB, need MORE RAIN ;)
They are good hiders Phyliz ;D
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Thanks for captiures of kids and parent.
Just 2 kids hanging around the house...LOL
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;D Kids!!
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Thanks Mp for the captures.
Kids...what 'ya gonna do, eh?
LOL
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Thanks Mp.
Kids look well.
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Great catch MpMom. Hope they continue to hang close to home for a long time.
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Thank you Raleigh! I hope they stay around too ;D
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Yes very hot here today. Glad you got the pics MpMom, nobody home when I checked this morning.
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It is so hot SSRL :( Been in & out trying to save my bushes & trees :(
Sorry this pic was from this afternoon. I had to restart the cam ::)
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Oh no, the cam is down. Hope it comes back & isn't down for good.
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Mp thanks for the captures of the kids. Cam shots and kids looking good. Like everyone else...hope they stay for a while.
Hi ssrl/Raleigh
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Hi Phyliz, this has been a fun nest to watch this year.
Yes MpMom, I've even been hand watering shrubs along with my perennials this year too. Plus we planted a new Red Bud tree in May so trying to keep that little guy alive. So far so good. Love Red Bud trees, first learned about them when we lived in Missouri.
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Hi Phyliz, this has been a fun nest to watch this year.
Yes MpMom, I've even been hand watering shrubs along with my perennials this year too. Plus we planted a new Red Bud tree in May so trying to keep that little guy alive. So far so good. Love Red Bud trees, first learned about them when we lived in Missouri.
I bet it has, too. Just got here too late.
Hope your new red bud tree survives
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Mp great captue of one of the kids. Thanks.
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One kid home this morning.
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Now both Raleigh 8)
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Maybe we can keep up this two for one.
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Good pics MpMom and Raleigh, I've been busy and every time l check the nest lately, it's empty! ;)
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One of the parents hanging around today. Empty nest syndrome. ;)
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Nice catch MpMom. Getting these two together at the same time is getting harder and harder.
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I know Raleigh, it is really hard to catch one let alone 2 ;)
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Waiting on the kids. ;)
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Feels like a bonus every time I see one of the kids now.
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I got him too Raleigh! Love it!!
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Nice one MpMom, I'm still having no luck catching any of them in the nest. Seems like things are going well so far this season.
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SSRL, they don't come to often anymore :( All seems to be well here. ;)
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It was nice to see you caught one of the kids yesterday MpMom. I have been checking in each morning, and haven't seen them in a while. I was thinking they had already dispersed and left the area.
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Does anyone know, is today the last day for the nest cam in the Mn DNR nest?
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Cam on today ;)
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See you all when the cam comes back!!!!
Thank you for visiting the EagleCam
The camera is down for the season. Don’t worry, the “season” is short! Our bald eagles generally stay close to their nesting territory all year, but we shut the camera view down from August through November every year due to shared resources and maintenance.
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Thanks for all your views and updates this past season MpMom.
Looking forward to sharing new adventures with our eagle pair here. Now we have a male parent who has shown he can raise healthy young eaglets, and has a first year of experience under his belt.
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Here is the DNR FB. Bonnie Johnson has been posting photos of our mom & new dad. I can't wait for November to come when the cam comes on!!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/227557260721558/
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Hi MpMom, Here we go again, the summer went so fast :) I saw Mom in nest earlier this morning too. Here's to another successful season!!
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Hi SSRL! I too hope they have a great season ;D
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minnesota department of natural resources
EagleCam Update
November 22, 2021
Sticks, sticks and logs!
On nest 11-17-2021
November 22, 2021
See the Corrected link below for participation
Welcome back EagleCam lovers!
See? It really wasn't THAT long without the camera, right? It is hard to believe that just three months have passed since our new, beloved eagle pair sent their kids packing and are gearing up for another brood!
It is Give to the Max Day, the day that we traditionally turn the camera back on. The purpose of this is to raise awareness of the Nongame Wildlife Program and the critical importance of your donations. Because we are unable to officially participate in the "Give to the Max Day" campaign, your direct donations are that much more important. Donating is fast, easy and there are multiple options for donating. Just go here!
The Royal Couple
This pair is now tightly bonded, as they have spent the last year nearly inseparable. Even today, both were seen on the nest together. They have been busy gathering (some huge) sticks to the nest for "nestorations". This is territorial behavior. It sends the message to any passage eagles "Hey, this is our home - don't even THINK about taking this area!". Because of its proximity to a high concentration of bald eagles, these two have fiercely defended this territory many times. Their young age contributed to taking over the territory from our aging "original mom", who to decided to move on and nest elsewhere after battling for her space. This is a common occurrence with eagles, especially where the population level is as healthy as it is here in Minnesota. Thanks to the EGG-cellent work of the DNR NongameWildlife Program and YOUR donations, our population is among the healthiest in the lower 48 states!
Enjoy the cam this year from the EagleCam and don't be afraid to venture outdoors to see wildlife in the winter! Winter is a great time to view birds, especially because there are fewer leaves on the trees and it's easier to see them hopping and flying around our beautiful state.
We will be sending regular updates on what is happening, we have exciting news coming up in the next few months as we gear up for our 10th anniversary!
A Fun Opportunity to Engage with us!
"Are you interested in sharing your thoughts and experiences related to conservation in Minnesota? We are looking for participants from Minnesota who have supported the Nongame Wildlife Program through volunteering or financial contributions or who engage in outdoor activities but have limited familiarity with the Nongame Wildlife Program.
Please click this corrected link if you are interested in learning more about joining us for a 90-minute virtual meeting as part of this research (Virginia Tech IRB Protocol #21-850), and to answer some initial screening questions should you choose to participate. If you have any questions you can email Kelsey Jennings at [email protected]. "
We want to thank you for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program. We rely on your contributions and we just couldn't do our important work without your support. YOU make our program and we thank you!
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING
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Happy Thanksgiving, I just now checked the nest and both were home arranging sticks!!
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They work well together SSRL ;D
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They do seem to work together well MpMom. Just checked the nest now at 11:14 and both were there arranging sticks!! :)
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Lots of work to do so little time ;)
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Nice to see you and your pics MpMom!....and so another season begins...Hope you and family are safe and well.
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All is good here, hope you are well too KB 8)
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Oh love this capture....so good!
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Great close up MpMom! Looks like our young male still has a few dark spots on that white head. He proved himself last year, so I’m sure he will be a great experienced dad this year. Looking forward to following these two once again.
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I can't wait for this season Raleigh ;D
I'm trying to bake so I am sure I missed a lot this am :(
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You have already captured a lot more activity than me. I am very thankful
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Had some time this morning to check the camera, and it was down.☹️. I did enjoy the pictures of yesterdays meal with my coffee.
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Up & running again. Looks like a juvie or young eagle.
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Finally caught a nest visit ;)
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I really like that last pic of Mom (I think) MpMom!!
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A beauty SSRL!
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A little late this morning. Still one there. ;)
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Somebody does need to shovel out the nest today MpMom ;D
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I know SSRL :o
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Beautiful shots MpMom
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Good pics MpMom, looks like everything at the nest survived the high winds last night. We lucked out and not as bad as they initially predicted. Much worse south of us. Other than the cold looks like the next few days should be okay for these two. :)
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Thanks SSRL! The nest looks great. I did have a few branches down but that was it.
I did love the warm temps yesterday ;D
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I did see a 3rd eagle yesterday. To fast for a pic ;)
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Adult or juvenile MPMOM?
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ss, Honestly I couldn't tell, it happened so fast I saw big wings & it was gone. Mom & dad started yelling but didn't leave the nest area.
This was the route it took.
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;)What was I thinking, the 1st 3 pics are pm :o
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I don't know if it's the same juvie but one has been seen around the nest several times. I didn't even notice the am MpMom ;)
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Happy New Years Eve 8)
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(http://dl6.glitter-graphics.net/pub/141/141746l4fiobzhr4.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
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Happy New Year MpMom, very chilly here today. I purchased a calendar for 2022 with pictures of the DNR nest eagles last year. Fun to look at.
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January's picture. Calendar by Thomas Demma and Bonnie Johnson
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Awesome photo SSRL. I bet it is an amazing calendar!!!
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The calendar is beautiful. I'll post a picture each month.
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Look forward to each months pic SSRL ;D
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Nice catch MpMom.
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Thank you Raleigh ;)
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Brrr on the belly is right MpMom, nice pics this morning. Will be very chilly tonight possibly -20 or lower. I wonder if they stay close to each other for warmth during a night like this?
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I know SS!!! Very cold tonight :o I hope they stay close!!
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Thanks, MpMom!....one more day of this brutal cold....hand in there every birdy...
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Yeah, going to get hot KB ;) ;D
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Hot!...LOL....I left my windows open for a bit this morning once it hit 28!....
They are probably hot too...
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Hot this morning too KB ;D 8)
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Just checked the nest at 1:05 PM today and both were sitting in branch above the nest, guarding their territory. I wonder if we will see eggs soon?
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There won't be anything if people don't stop walking underneath them. Not happy here!!!!!
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Very nice pics today MpMom. Hope people stay away!!
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Thank you SS ;)
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The calendar I have notes that the first egg was laid last year on February 16th at 4:47 PM, so we have a few more weeks to go to get those sticks arranged properly!!
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Yep, SS, I can't wait! Hope they have a great season!!
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Thanks for the capture MpMom. I haven’t been checking out the nest often enough,and have been missing these appearances
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You're welcome Raleigh! I have it on every day but am not watching constantly so I miss them too.
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Another couple of weeks and the eggs might be here. Great pics MP :D
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Can't wait SSRL!!!! Thank you!!!
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February calendar (Thomas Demma and Bonnie Johnson). The nest looks very large from this view point.
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Great photo SSRL!! Thank you!!
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From the DNR:
February 7, 2022
Our 2022 EagleCam Season has officially begun!
Our eagle pair is the same two individuals as last year and they are preparing for raising another brood. It appears the pair has bonded more closely now, as this is their second season as a couple. "Harry" as our friends group have named him, came in to the territory last year and took over from "Syd" as the dominant male on the nest. The new male was a new breeder last year, as he was determined to be only five years old, which is full breeding age for bald eagles. His head feathers, beak and eye color all suggested final development into breeding age.
"Nancy" - also named by our friends group, laid two eggs last year and she and her mate successfully raised two chicks, despite the young male's inexperience. As he learned the ropes, he turned out to be a successful partner in raising the young that fledged last summer. The chicks were one male and one female and were banded on May 4, 2021.
Breeding on the nest has been witnessed several times already, and the bole preparation for eggs is well underway. Bringing in soft grasses is one of the final stages of "nestorations" before eggs are laid. In addition to mating, the female has begun sitting in the bole, the male is bringing her food, and they both are fiercely defending their territory from intruders, including owls, raccoons, and other eagles.
We have exciting educational additions coming to the EagleCam page this year, and as they are added, we will announce each one. Stay tuned and watch all of the action live and get ready to see eggs being laid very soon!
We want to thank you for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program. We rely on your contributions and we just couldn't do our important work without your support. YOU make our program and we thank you!
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Thanks for posting the DNR nest update MpMom. I've been working and missed it. ;)
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You're welcome SS ;)
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CONGRATULATIONS MAMA & DADDY!!!! :-*
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Yeah, thank you for the announcement MpMom. I saw her sitting tight on the nest and was wondering if we had an egg. Hope there’s at least another one coming.
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Yes thanks for the pics and announcement MpMom. I saw her just now sitting in the nest and thought....bet there is an egg. So I checked in here and yes...... :)
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You're welcome you 2 ;D We'll see in the next day or 2 if we get more ;D
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From the DNR...
first look at first egg of 2022
February 14, 2022
We are so egg-cited to share that we have our first egg on Nongame Wildlife EagleCam! At about 5:16 on Saturday, February 12, our female laid her first egg of 2022.
Nearing sunset is when eagles tend to lay their eggs. Late Saturday afternoon, the female flew into the nest, but quickly left. Sigh. Our eggs-pectations dashed. No egg today. But wait! She returned a few minutes later and decided it was time! She settled in and eventually began labored breathing and laid her first egg of the year. She then got up, gave it a first roll, and settled back into the warmth of the grass-lined bole the parents have prepared to keep it warm in the frigid Minnesota weather. Since egg arrival, she and her mate have been trading off egg-sitting to give each other breaks for wing stretches and hopefully, food. This will continue for at least the next 40 days.
Incubation has begun. Incubation begins after the first egg is laid, meaning that in a nest with more than one egg there will be an oldest sibling, a youngest sibling and occasionally a middle sibling. Both the male and the female incubate the eggs and both have brood patches, though the female tends to do the bulk of the incubating and has a much more developed brood patch. The brood patch is an area of bare skin on the bird’s breast that is formed when the bird removes its own feathers. By removing the feathers the parent bird allows his/her body heat to better reach the eggs and keep them at the proper temperature. the parents will sit on the nest almost continuously.
Incubation lasts from 34-36 days and eaglets hatch from the eggs without any help from
the parents. Pipping, as the hatching process is called, can take an entire day. The oldest egg hatches first and its younger sibling follows 1-4 days later.
Tune in to watch all of the egg-citement as the next eggs arrive! This beautiful bald eagle pair delicately tending to their eggs and to each other is truly one of nature's greatest wonders. We are fortunate to have a front row, up-close and personal seat to our amazing national bird!
We want to thank you for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program. We rely on your contributions and we just couldn't do our important work without your support. YOU make our program and we thank you!
Valentine Courtship
Happy Valentine's Day!
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;) Interesting dad & the kid sitting together, or maybe 2 kids :o
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Kind of looks like two kids MpMom, we'll see if they hang around or get chased off!!
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Thats what I thought after I really looked SS.
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Window is closing on another egg. Hope we see another one soon.
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CONGRATULATIONS MOM & DADDY ON THE 2ND EGGLET!!
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Woot Woot!....thanks MpMom.
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Been catching up here...
Hurrah! Egg#2 has arrived.
Congrats to Mom and Dad !
Thank you Mp for the great captures.
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Hi Raleigheagle !
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You're welcome everyone ;D
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And here I thought the window of chances for a second egg was closing. Let’s go for three😀.
Hello Phyl
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Nice catch MpMom. Beautiful
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Thank you Raleigh!
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It's so great to see Dad stepping up to help out with everything. I think he is going to be a good Dad. You've got some good captures MpMom.
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He is a great dad SSRL. He pushes mom right out of the nest so he can egg sit. Will be fun watching him feed ;D
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Just checked the nest but didn't get a good shot. A blackbird, possibly crow, brought in for afternoon snack. A lot of vocalizing, shifting, etc. Was a good show and camera close up!!
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Great pics MpMom, these two are sure fun to watch. Busy, busy!!!
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From the DNR...
February 25, 2022
The clutch is complete
On February 15, a second egg arrived at our EagleCam! Four days earlier, the first egg arrived and the official incubation count-down is now on. If all goes well, after 34 to 36 days, the eggs should hatch during the third week of March.
Incubation is the period when both adults take turns sitting on, turning and caring for the eggs. During the courtship phase, both adults molt feathers from their abdomen to create a brood patch, which is a bare spot of skin in the perfect spot on their abdomens for keeping the eggs warm. Even when snow and storms are at the nest, the eggs are warm and safe. You will notice that the female does more of the incubation, while the male is busy foraging for food. Now that the female is past the egg laying cycle, mating behavior will stop and the focus will be on incubation. They will turn the eggs every hour or so, will keep the embryo from sticking to the inside of the egg. If you watch closely, when the adults are stepping around the eggs, you'll notice they curl up their talons so they don't harm them.
What you may have missed
The young male has been regularly bringing in food, despite the snow and frozen water near the nest area. The prey brought into the nest has included dead birds, fish and mammals. Bald eagles are scavengers, so road-killed animals, as well as freshly-killed "gifts" to the female give her sustenance while she incubates. Yum! This is courtship behavior that strengthens the bond between male and female, as does continued mating on the nest. When he brings food to her he will often take over incubation duties while she eats. He will usually stay on the eggs for a while to provide her with a much-needed break, but it is always the female who stays on the eggs overnight.
So, where does the male go at night? He is busy keeping close watch over the territory, the nest and family. He has even been challenged with keeping the nest safe from the occasional raccoon that has tried to scavenge left-over food in the nest. Things have gotten rather exciting a couple of nights when the female has gotten up, vocalized and started wing-slapping. Then, suddenly the male screams in from the dark and hits the raccoons with his powerful talons! This is enough to scare the would-be thieves away. Raccoons can be a threat to an eagle's nest, but the parents are determined and very protective. The masked bandits have been no match for these two powerful predators!
NOTE TO CAM WATCHERS - clicking noise: The microphone at the nest is faulty. A replacement arrived too late to install this season. The eagles cannot hear the clicking noise, but it can be bothersome to hear when watching the EagleCam. We suggest muting your sound until next season.
It is an exciting time at the nest, so stay tuned to watch nature up-close and personal, it all of its amazing beauty.
Hey, you! Yes, you, reading this email! We want to sincerely thank you for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program. We rely on your contributions and we just couldn't do our important work without your support. YOU make our program and we appreciate each and every one of you!
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Good update, thanks for posting MpMom. :)
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I lucked out and caught the shift change this morning. The young inexperienced male from last year looks like a true veteran this year.
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You're welcome SSRL.
Yes, our dad is doing great Raleigh ;D
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These two have had to keep vigilant at night with those pesky racoons!
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Kind of wet out there today!!
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I saw that frosty eagle this morning too MpMom. So far they have made it through rain, sleet, snow and racoons. These two are doing a good job!!
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Yes they are SSRL ;D
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Looks like a coyote walking through the woods MpMom. Warmer temps ahead!! 8)
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Thanks SSRL! Yes, my kind of weather coming!
From the DNR...
March 16, 2022
Zoom zoom, peep peep
You'll see lots of close-in zooming on the two eggs in our nest this week. Friday, March 18 marks 35 days from the first egg laying. Average incubation is 34-36 days, but it could take as long as 40 days for the first chick to appear. Thanks to microphones in nest cams, we now know that the adults can hear the chicks peeping inside of the egg during these last few days. A day or so before the egg hatches we will see what is called a pip, a hole in the egg the chick makes by rubbing the inside of the shell with a notch on the top of its beak, called the egg tooth. The egg shell is much thinner now closer to hatch, than when the egg was laid because the chick has absorbed much of the shell’s calcium into its developing bones. So watch closely when we are able to zoom the camera to look for the first signs of a pip this week!
What you may have missed
The young male continues to regularly bring various prey items. While bald eagles are classified as fish eagles because their feet are specially adapted to grasp slippery prey, they are also considered carnivores because they only eat meat. Prey items vary quite a bit and just this morning the male brought a muskrat to the female for lunch.
The raccoons continue to visit the nest, though not as frequently. As the ground thaws, they will find easier prey to find on the ground such as frogs, fish and small mammals. A coyote was observed on the ground below the nest this week. The presence of this predator is not a direct threat to the eagles but more of a threat to the raccoons. Hopefully the presence of predators under the nest will encourage the raccoons to move on and stop pestering the eagle parents at night!
NOTE TO CAM WATCHERS - clicking noise: The microphone at the nest is faulty. A replacement arrived too late to install this season. The eagles cannot hear the clicking noise, but it can be bothersome to hear when watching the EagleCam. We suggest muting your sound until next season.
It is an exciting time at the nest, so stay tuned to watch nature up-close and learn all about eagles.
Hey, you! Yes, you, reading this email! We want to sincerely thank you for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program. We rely on your contributions and we just couldn't do our important work without your support. Don't forget to make your donation on your Minnesota tax forms this year. YOU make our program and we appreciate each and every one of you!
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I see we lost any posts after March 20 with the change over to the 2022 threads. Anyone caught a glimpse of our bobble head at this nest yet?
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Answered my own question :)
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We have a second bobblehead this morning :) :) :)
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Thanks Raleigh, I've been checking occasionally today but couldn't see any action. Windy day and snowing here too. Shouldn't be a big event but the wind will continue through the night. These guys are tough!!
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Raleigh & SSRL, I am so happy we have 2 kids!!! Thanks for the pics! I just walked in the door & had to turn my computer on. We were in Missouri so I missed the hatches.
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From the DNR...
March 25, 2022
And just like that there were two chicks Have you tuned in?
Right on time, the two chicks have hatched on our EagleCam! The first chick hatched on Tuesday, March 22. Tuesday was one of the wettest days we've had at the cam site, but that didn't stop the chick from emerging from the egg. Because of the cold, windy and wet weather, the parents have been sitting very tight and keeping the nest aerated in order to keep their young warm and dry. They wiggle their bodies to get the chicks close to the brood patch - the exposed skin on their bellies. The second egg hatched on March 24 at about midnight and has already had its first feeding.
There is now a cache of food at the nest for feeding the two hungry mouths. The male has delivered a muskrat, a pigeon, several fish and a large portion of a deer carcass. Earlier this week, Thomas Demma, a fabulous photographer who monitors the nest site and raises money for our program, reported a deer had been hit by a vehicle and was dead on the road near the nest. He contacted us and our local DNR staff moved the carcass off of the road and closer to the nest. Leaving the deer on the side of the road could have been deadly for the eagles, as they often feed on road-killed animals and get injured or killed by passing vehicles. Thank you, Thomas! Today, the male delivered part of the carcass to the nest. This select cut of venison will provide long-term sustenance for the adults and the chicks as they raise their majestic offspring.
You will now see lots of "bonking" on the head of the new chick from the older chick. This behavior is nest competition and is completely normal. It is a survival instinct and once the younger one gets a little stronger, it will learn to fight back. This strengthens each of the chick's survival instincts to compete for food as they grow up to become fierce hunters and fight rivals in the future. Their neck muscles are not fully developed yet, so they look like little bobble heads trying to get food and push each other around. we've posted some video of the antics on our site, so be sure to tune in to all the fun! mndnr.gov/eaglecam.
NOTE TO CAM WATCHERS - clicking noise: The microphone at the nest is faulty. A replacement arrived too late to install this season. The eagles cannot hear the clicking noise, but it can be bothersome to hear when watching the EagleCam. We suggest muting your sound until next season if it is bothersome.
It is an exciting time at the nest, so stay tuned to watch nature up-close and learn all about eagles.
Hey, you! Yes, you, reading this email! We want to sincerely thank you for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program. We rely on your contributions and we just couldn't do our important work without your support. Don't forget to make your donation on your Minnesota tax forms this year. YOU make our program and we appreciate each and every one of you!
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My pleasure Ssrl and MpMom. I do a daily check every morning. Just lucked out catching the arrival of these two chicks. Looking forward to see how our new male handles his family this year. He went through a learning experience last year, and passed with flying colors. Should be a great year.
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Fun season Raleigh ;D
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Great pictures MpMom. I was missing your updates. You’re not allowed to go to Missouri anymore😀
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Thanks for the update MpMom and welcome back :)
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LOL Raleigh. Thank you!
SSRl, You are welcome & Thank you!!!
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Happy Birthday MpMom, hope you have a fabulous day!! Great pictures of the kids :)
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Thank you SSRL :-*
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Happy belated birthday MpMom. So nice to see the bonking held to a minimum so far this year. Always a little stressful watching the smaller chick miss meals.
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Thank you Raleigh!!! Yes, the kids seem to behaving ;D
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Looks like a full pantry. These two are going to be well fed.
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All is great Raleigh ;D
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It seems like more food in nest than previous years and a squirrel was just brought in when I checked the nest a little while ago. Good parents!!
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April's calendar picture of last year's kids in DNR nest
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Great parents SSRL & thanks for the calendar ;D
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Great parents SSRL & thanks for the calendar ;D
weather was ugly last night, MpMom...poor Mom...let's hope it melts quickly and kids can remain dry in the nest..I would guess the weather wasn't that much better in your neck of the woods.
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;D Lots of snow slush here too KB :(
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Pretty cute!!
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They are good kids ;D
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Haha. What a great screen capture MpMom
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Good picture this morning MpMom :)
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Beautiful day today SSRL ;D
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Yes a beautiful day MpMom, and these little guys can enjoy looking out at the world.
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Now they're on the edge :o
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I just saw the "edglings" in the nest too!! They sure are growing fast.
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Growing so fast :o 8)
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They sure are MpMom. White down is already gone.
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Hi Raleigh! ;D
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I just noticed we have a turtle in the nest food store. ;)
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Phew what a night :o but still okay this morning :)
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Great photos MpMom. Love the one with the two kids covered up
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It is cute Raleigh ;D
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Everybody seems be faring well, despite the unseasonable weather. They sure are growing!! Thanks for the daily pics MpMom.
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SSRL, couple of more days & looks like the weather should be nice. Finally!!
HAPPY EASTER!!!
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Finally!! Happy Easter to all :)
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MpMom....love your captions....laughing at picnic in the snow especially! :) :)
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Thank you KB ;D
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MpMom..I hear there is still lots of bonking going on so am not watching it....I do thank you every time I check in and still see the 2 here..
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Yeah KB, the older one goes after the younger one if he gets more food. :(
This 1st pic, the younger one was eating on his own & the older one wouldn't have any of that.
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Wow, that older one is evil :o It will do him good when he is out on his own but man he is nasty to his sibling.
There are 3 kids at WE and they are so good.
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>:( >:( >:( >:( I hope our young ones does well. This isn't just a little bonking like when they are little & is constant.
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I have never seen anything like this! He is dragging him, pulling out his feathers & just being mean. I didn't do captions but this is what is happening this am. >:( >:(
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>:(
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>:( >:( I do know these kids are getting hardly any food!!!!!
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>:( Has anyone seen both parents???
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It seems the male has been missing for a frw days now and an intruder was seen in the area yesterday. Way too sad :'(
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Thank you SSRL. This is sad! No food at the nest. :(
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I just woke up from a little rainy day nap & I don't see our little one. :'( :'( :'(
Saw mom come home & dug up some old crap to feed the older one. I know she knows how to fish or catch something. This is a sad day. He must have beaten the other one & got him to the edge of the nest again & over he went. :'( :'(
Ok, I just watched the video. I have never seen such torture as with this older one, he was on top of him, biting the hell out of him etc. I am turning this nest off!!!!!!!
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MpMom...yeah I haven't watched mostly this year....too brutal.
Question: did the older one kill the younger one before pushing him overboard?....what are they going to do. They could have dropped some road kill off but nope....
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KB, the older one was biting the other so hard. He had him backed to the back of the nest & it was over. No where for the other to go. I don't think any one will do anything. I would be good for them to collect our baby to see how beaten up he was. But who am I.
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KB, the older one was biting the other so hard. He had him backed to the back of the nest & it was over. No where for the other to go. I don't think any one will do anything. I would be good for them to collect our baby to see how beaten up he was. But who am I.
I hear ya...glad to know it wasn't killed on the nest, but I gathered from yours and other's post it was sure possible, esp. lately....I hear Lori is on the way to see if it survived the fall...I doubt it, but at least they say they will check...if I hear anything about Lori finding it I'll let you know.
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Tears flowing!
Lori has him and he's on the way to the raptor center..and alive.
so much better than in that nest MpMom...
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Thank you KB; I so hope this one will survive. This nest has been difficult to watch; I was wondering if the food shortage contributed to the behavior.
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KB, I am so happy our baby was saved! He would have surely died on the nest. It was BRUTAL.
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(https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/279579302_10220905852130607_7434593387963617587_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=g5Bj4h55XpcAX-lXFAe&_nc_ht=scontent.ffcm1-2.fna&oh=00_AT9QrUscMHcqGvFIEq7zaxTAO0oXaR-Mc8bzXT4zO3l_4Q&oe=6272E8A6)
First pic when recovered...another pic coming....for those who can't open their fb page.
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(https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/279456941_362765625895930_7367859709911690822_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s1080x2048&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=QYJl0qmYl6UAX-6R4ad&_nc_ht=scontent.ffcm1-2.fna&oh=00_AT_ANBTFqJuJk2hc2A-IadGvqdD285dIWrRSRmL888XGrA&oe=62736B70)
Second pic on the way to Raptor Center.
He's there now....I will update when I hear them.
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It is so good to see our baby alive. I watched this baby being tortured for over a week.
Thank you KB :-*
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Sorry MpMom and all...this was just posted:
This afternoon at about 1:00, at the EagleCam nest, the younger chick was pushed out of the nest by its sibling. Nongame staff were contacted and retrieved the chick from the ground as soon as we were made aware of the incident. The nest is roughly 75 feet high.
The young eagle was able to be quickly brought to the veterinarians at The Raptor Center for care. On arrival, the young bird was quiet and got increasing lethargic throughout the exam. A wound was found on it’s head and it had increased effort to breathe. Throughout the exam, it’s breathing got more labored, most likely a result from internal trauma. Blood was noted coming from the nares (nostrils) of the bird.
It had a fracture of the humerus very close to the joint in it’s left wing that impacted the growth plate area. With this kind of fracture, there is not an option to repair it surgically and it cannot be left alone to heal as the bone would heal in a way that would cause chronic problems and pain for the bird.
Because of the very poor prognosis due to the complex fracture and severely progressing signs of internal trauma, the young bird was humanely euthanized to alleviate suffering.
Nongame would like to thank Thomas Demma, The Raptor Center staff, USFWS, and to Conservation Officer Tetrault for their lightening fast assistance. It is at least comforting to know the chick didn't have to suffer with it's injuries for a long time. Please be kind in your comments, we are all very sad about this outcome.
I was so hopeful....but, a 75 foot shove was apparently too much...I'm very sad.
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Oh my gosh, this hurts!!! I knew he had to have injuries. I watched the other one do it to him for a long time & posted pics.
What a sad day :'( :'( :'(
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Oh my gosh, this hurts!!! I knew he had to have injuries. I watched the other one do it to him for a long time & posted pics.
What a sad day :'( :'( :'(
Indeed!..was a roller coaster ride today, but also before.
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I'm so very sorry to lose him. Thankful to all who helped him get assistance quickly.
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This is so sad! To me it seems like there are more tragedies on the eagle nests or maybe they are more publicized. :'(
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Peep - I think competition has definitely created the increase in tragedies....not just out of view. We've been watching multiple nests for 15 years so have a track record of watching the increase in competition imho.
BTW, I did read the remaining chick was finally fed today...a large fish was caught by mom and it has a large crop....sure wish she'd gotten down to business last week but who knows why today she went for it?
The weather will also improve as the week goes on....Definitely a terrible situation with Dad gone, the weather, a very young mom, and intruders in the area....why my comment above of competition..they spend so much time at some nests defending the nests it seems for some to interfere with their abilities especially if not mature Moms or Dads. :( :(..still so sad for the little one.
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From the DNR...
May 1, 2022 - RIP, E2
We had a much happier post prepared for today. Things have changed over the last few days and the bad news to report is that the second chick (referred to as E2) was pushed from the nest yesterday by its older sibling. Nongame staff were contacted and retrieved the chick from the ground as soon as we were made aware of the incident. The nest is roughly 75 feet high. The chick was found alive on the ground below the nest.
The young eagle was able to be quickly brought to the veterinarians at The Raptor Center for care. Upon arrival, the young bird was quiet and got increasing lethargic throughout the exam. A wound was found on its head and it had increased effort to breathe. Throughout the exam, its breathing got more labored, most likely a result from internal trauma. Blood was noted coming from the nares (nostrils) of the bird.
It had a fracture of the humerus very close to the joint in its left wing that impacted the growth plate area. With this kind of fracture, there is not an option to repair it surgically and it cannot be left alone to heal as the bone would heal in a way that would cause chronic problems and pain for the bird.
Because of the very poor prognosis due to the complex fracture and severely progressing signs of internal trauma, the young bird was humanely euthanized to alleviate suffering.
Siblicide in the wild is the killing of a nestling by its sibling and generally only occurs when food sources are scarce. Siblicide is advantageous for the surviving offspring because they have now eliminated most or all of their competition.
The older of the two chicks had been attacking the younger for a few days and got increasingly aggressive when the male parent went missing. The last time he was seen at the nest was on Tuesday, April 24. We don't know what happened to him. Staff and volunteers spent several hours last week surveying the area for sick or dead birds due to the current H5N1 Avian Influenza outbreak in Minnesota. None were found, nor was the male bird. He has not appeared at The Raptor Center as a patient, nor has he been found dead. Their staff has been alerted and will inform us if he turns up at their clinic. It is unlikely he will return to the nest after this long of an absence.
The female is now on her own to hunt, protect and care for her remaining chick. With only one to care for now, we are optimistic that she will be able to continue to raise E1 to fledging.
Nongame would like to thank The Raptor Center, Thomas Demma, the USFWS and Conservation Officer Chris Tetrault for their lightening fast assistance yesterday. It is at least reassuring that the chick didn't suffer with it's injuries for a long time. It has been a sad week on the nest, but the weather looks better in the coming days. Let's hope the warm weather brings health to all of Minnesota!
We want to sincerely thank you for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program. We rely on your contributions and we just couldn't do our important work without your support. To make a donation, visit: RIP E2. YOU make our program successful and we appreciate each and every one of you!
NOTE TO CAM WATCHERS - A necessary software license update will temporarily eliminate the minimal sound from the nest. The image may also be freezing occasionally. The sound will return soon, but because the microphone won't be replaced until after fledging, the clicking noise will again be audible until next season. We suggest muting your sound until next season if it is bothersome.
Rest in peace my baby :'( :'(
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Thanks for posting the update MpMom. Very sad but I'm hopeful Mom will be able to feed E1 and it will fledge.
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Remembering a better time at the nest last year. May's DNR nest calendar picture
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Great calendar pic SSRL!!!! ;D
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Thanks MpMom, I liked this calendar pic too. I'm getting more and more hopeful this little guy will make it. Mom should be able to feed one. Was happy to hear that E2 was not infected with the avian flu virus.
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I am sure this guy will be fine.
I just wish E2 hadn't been tortured most of his short life. I have pics from just after he was born to the day he died >:( >:(
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It is so sad, I have to get it out of my mind and know that this is what might happen without two parents and as the eagle population grows, life gets harder for these guys. I posted a DNR puzzle in the RRP of Dad feeding E2. Sad but a good tribute to the both of them. :(
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I hear you SSRl but beatings took place long before dad left. Very unusual nest this year.
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I hear you SSRl but beatings took place long before dad left. Very unusual nest this year.
Yes MpMom.....not a typical nest this year....indeed...it's hopeless to try to explain it in usual terms.
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Great picture of Mom, MpMom!! :)
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Thanks SS ;)
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I had no idea all of this had happened. :(
I just returned from a fishing trip on the upper Mississippi river back waters. So sad to hear what happened, but I was able to see first hand how our population of eagles has really expanded. Along the river between Lacrosse and Wabasha (about 60 miles), I counted over 40 nests, and that is just what I saw from the road. Someone later told me there are well over 300 nests along that stretch of river. Most of the nests I observed while I was fishing had little heads popping up, so thankfully we are still seeing their numbers expand.
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I just read they banded E1 today.
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yes ,and some were perturbed by the "party atmosphere" including petting the eaglet.....I agree..I've never seen anything like it...
But, all is well now apparently.
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So that's what they were doing on camera. Maybe they should post these things under the camera so we all know!!!!
Wish I would have been on your trip Raleigh!!!! Sounds more fun than watching murder!
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Siblicide: An Inextricable Behavior in Birds?
by Mike Fitz
Watching unfiltered footage of wild animals on explore.org means that we’ll inevitably witness nature’s harsh realities. Bears strip the skin off of living salmon. Lions subdue zebras. A python snares an unsuspecting bird from its perch. Falcons fight for nesting territories. Ravens pillage an unoccupied eagle nest. Although these events can be difficult to watch, the reasons for them are typically clear. Hunger and reproduction are powerful motivators. Other behaviors and situations, though, challenge our best available science as well as our sensibilities of right and wrong.
A bird nest is a dichotomous place of nurturing and conflict. Parents care for their vulnerable young, while chicks compete for food and space. The competition in a bird nest can manifest in ways far beyond the times when my brother, sister, and I fought over the last cookie.
An extreme form of sibling rivalry at a bird nest may lead to siblicide. Also called Cainism after the biblical story of Cain and Abel, siblicide occurs when a nestling’s behavior leads to the death of one or more of its siblings through starvation, physical injury, or eviction from the nest. While siblicide is not common among birds overall, it does happen in a wide variety of birds. It’s documented in the osprey, shoebill, southern ground hornbill, white-bellied swiftlet, blue-throated bee-eater, and blue-footed booby as well as certain species of cranes, eagles, egrets, hawks, herons, guillemots, gulls, owls, pelicans, penguins, and vultures.
Siblicide in birds often occurs as soon as a larger or more aggressive nestling gains the size, strength, and weaponry (such as a sharp beak) to cause significant harm to its younger and smaller nest mate(s). On explore.org we’ll likely witness it on the webcam that features the African black (Verreaux’s) eagle nest in South Africa, and it is possible that we could see it at the cams of great blue heron, osprey, black guillemont, and bald eagle nests in North America. But, there are differences in how it occurs. African black eagles experience obligate siblicide: two eggs are laid, they hatch at different times, and the older chick always kills its younger sibling. In contrast, siblicide is facultative in herons and osprey: it is circumstantial and doesn’t always occur.
Distinguishing the nuances of obligate and facultative siblicide doesn’t make it any easier to witness, of course. I wonder if this behavior is so difficult to watch, in part, because it is so difficult to explain.
Many organisms including humans make overt efforts to help ensure the survival of related individuals. This trait isn’t universal, though. At best, many more organisms behave indifferently to their siblings’ survival. Others take a more aggressive stance. Certain species of sharks attack and eat their siblings in the womb.
If siblicide was maladaptive, if it failed to provide survival benefits in the near or long term, especially if an alternate life history strategy such as cooperation among nestlings led to higher survival and reproductive rates, then those with the siblicidal trait might eventually have their genes winnowed from the population or species. Yet since siblicide persists, then scientists—or at least my interpretation of their conclusions—have operated under the assumption that siblicide, especially obligate variation, provides some sort of benefit that leads to reproductive success for the individuals that practice it.
During the last few decades, scientists have hypothesized many potential explanations for siblicide in birds. Maybe the only thing we know for sure is that there are certain factors that make it more likely to happen, although none appear to be universal. Among birds, siblicide is correlated with large body size at maturity, complex hunting and foraging behaviors, a protracted period of learning in early life, and a slow life history pace (that is, you live a long time and have a low reproductive rate). In addition, siblicidal bird species are more likely to have a long nestling period and effective weaponry at a young age such as a sharp bill. Regarding the nesting period, consider that American robins (a species with no documented siblicide) leave the nest about 14 days after hatching, while the African black eagle doesn’t fledge for 95 days or longer. The nests of many siblicidal species usually offer limited escape possibilities too. A mallard duckling spends relatively little time in its nest after hatching and its ability to move and feed independently allows it to easily avoid a pushy sibling, unlike a heron chick that remains in a nest high in a tree for weeks after hatching. Additionally, if the species practices asynchronous hatching, then the older, first-hatched chick has a head start on growth and those few days can make a tremendous difference. A mother Canada goose may lay many eggs, but she does not start incubating until the entire clutch is laid and all of her eggs hatch at about the same time. In contrast, a female African black eagle begins to incubate her first egg immediately even though she usually lays a second egg three or four days later. As a result, her first chick hatches several days before the second. When the second chick hatches, the older black eagle chick uses its strongly hooked beak to attack its younger, vulnerable sibling. In More than Kin, Less than Kind: The Evolution of Family Conflict, biologist Douglas Mock notes a case when an older African black eagle chick attacked its nest mate within a few hours of its sibling hatching. The younger chick died three days after hatching and weighed 18 grams less than when it hatched due to the repeated attacks and food monopolization from its older sibling.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, food availability and hunger play an important role, especially in species with facultative siblicide. If the parents deliver food in large parcels, then the older or stronger chicks may be able to monopolize the food to the detriment of their siblings. If the parents feed their chicks infrequently and food transfer between feedings is slow, then an older or stronger chick can also interfere with the feeding of its sibling.
Competition for food can become more intense as chicks grow. But, sufficient food can also allow younger or smaller chicks with the fortitude and energy to withstand and survive the aggression of their nest mates. One study on great egrets found that the amount of food had little direct influence on fighting behavior between siblings, though it consistently influenced chick survival. When scientists provisioned a great egret nest in Texas with extra food they found that nest mates didn’t reduce their aggression toward each other, but more chicks to survive to fledge.
There may be other factors that influence siblicide as well. One idea, for example, posits that some chicks may be more vulnerable to parasites. These infestations might leave a chick in a weakened state where it cannot withstand the aggression of its nest mates.
As species with facultative siblicide demonstrate, all nestlings can survive when circumstances allow. Parent birds are often great hunters and select their nesting territories well, which makes obligate siblicide perplexing. Food is not always in short supply for young (less than one week-old) African black eagle chicks. So if “Cain” is always going to kill “Abel,” then what’s the point of laying a second egg? Perhaps obligate siblicide evolved in anticipation of food shortages later in the nesting period or maybe there are other, stronger reasons. After all, natural selection operates on a continuum of scales.
For a mother African black eagle the energetic cost of laying a second egg is relatively small, but the payout could be huge—at least in terms of reproductive success—if something happens to the first egg. In this way, a black eagle’s second egg might serve as an insurance premium of sorts. An independent analysis of one chick mortality study in African black eagles found that about one in five of the second-to-hatch chicks survived to fledge. In fact, “Abel” survived to fledge at the Black Eagle Project’s Roodekrans nest, where explore.org now has a webcam, in 2005 and 2006 after the first egg failed to hatch. Although the probability of the second egg surviving remains low, it still may offer just enough of a reproductive reward to ensure the effort of laying a second egg, even if sibling aggression will lead an older chick to kill its nest mate in most instances.
I offer this information knowing that it won’t make siblicide any easier for many of us to witness. It is appropriate and natural to feel for animals and empathize with their struggles. Siblicide is often difficult if not disturbing to watch, so always remember that it is also okay to take a break from the cams or watch a camera that focuses mostly on scenery rather than wildlife when things get unpleasant.
The diversity of survival strategies among wild animals, though, serves as a never-ending point of fascination for me and I hope you as well. I wasn’t always the best brother to my younger siblings when I was a kid, but I was vested in their welfare. So something like siblicide in birds seems so out of the ordinary to feel alien. However, rather than judging whether it is right or wrong, I see it as something different, something outside of human ethics, a behavior that has purpose for the animals that experience it. Although siblicide in certain species of birds seems to have evolved to benefit survival, it remains a behavior that provokes our discomfort and is difficult for science to reconcile.
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Thanks MpMom.
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(http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1082/1082092p2kr8j7bcg.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
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MN nongame just posted a video of the last visit from Harry on 4/26....with a large fish in his mouth on a lower branch and then finally delivering it to the nest...they say no obvious injury/illness and I agree after watching the video...I can't copy and paste unfortunately.
Of course commenters conjecture about him and his actions....I don't see anything wrong here...
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Where did they post it KB? I wish they would post stuff under the cam.
Maybe he got the bird flu. Very strange. He was a good dad!
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Where did they post it KB? I wish they would post stuff under the cam.
Maybe he got the bird flu. Very strange. He was a good dad!
On their fb page MpMom...so, I can't show it to you, so sorry...
wish we could know what happened to him cause I too know he was a good Dad...bird flu or injured in a fight are the only two possibilities right?
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https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaNongameWildlifeProgram/videos/329889642424094
See if this works
I guess you have to log in to FB to view this link.
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Thanks SSRL! Yeah, I don't do FB. :-\ Oh well.
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I just saw it was your anniversary today. Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby MpMom
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Thank you SSRL :-*
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KB, I believe it is your birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KB!!!!
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KB, I believe it is your birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KB!!!!
Thanks MpMom!....indeed.and hope you had a wonderful Anniversary today as well.
Here we had gorgeous weather.....'bout time!
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Thank you KB! Beautiful weather ;D
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Big feet, MpMom....bigfoot.....lol...and the band is showing well.
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LOL KB
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Practicing for take off!!
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Won't be long SSRL
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;) Hard to get clear pics ;)
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Good one MpMom 8)
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8) Looks like your birthday SSRL ;D
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
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Thanks for the birthday wishes MpMom and Lori. I especially like the German Shepherd puppy :D
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A Thomas Demma photo, E1 practicing for take off!!
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Nice pic SSRL 8)
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Looks like we made it through the stormy night without much damage!!
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Yep, all is good SSL ;)
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MpMom, Seems like it won't be long now for a little branching maybe :)
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He's been sitting on the bottom of the branch on the left. I'll post a pic.
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I thought I saw him sitting there yesterday. June's picture of the DNR nest last year shows one of them branching.
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Great pic SSRL 8)
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From the DNR...
I'm Getting Ready to Fly
June 8, 2022
trying out wings
June 8, 2022
E1 Thriving
The surviving female chick on our nest is getting stronger by the day. She continues to try out her wings by flapping and stretching on a regular basis. She is preening to rid herself of some of the old feather coatings and is losing more down as her feathers grow long and strong for flight.
The adult female has been on her own for well over a month now, and the chick is still dependent on her for food. Even with only one chick to care for she is still a busy bird. She has to hunt and defend the nest and territory by herself. This takes up most of her time, but she is always nearby to watch over her chick.
There have been other eagles visiting the nest that the female has fought off since her partner disappeared. One immature eagle has been particularly persistent in hanging around the nest. It appears to be a three-year old bird that will not a suitable mate until it reaches five years of age (if it is a male). The visitor seems to be curious and not a threat to E1 and her mom. Since there doesn't seem to be a threat from this bird, we think the female is reserving her energy and has allowed it to hang around. It isn't stealing food or attacking either of our eagles, so it is being tolerated for now.
E1 is now about 10 weeks old now. At this age, chicks are not fed as often. The chick is getting at least one meal a day and usually consumes all of the prey in one sitting. The extra nutrition she is able to consume is stored in her crop until the next feeding. We know she is thriving, because she is hitting all of her developmental milestones. She is branching (sitting on nearby branches), she is preening, stretching and flapping to strengthen her wing muscles. These behaviors prove that she is getting plenty of food, or none of this would be happening. Her bursts of wing flaps are becoming more frequent and vigorous as she prepares for first flight.
Eaglets take flight for the first time between ten and thirteen weeks. E1 is a large, strong female, so it could be any day that she decides to leave the nest. As she will continue to be dependent upon her parent for food, she might return to the nest from time to time to beg. Once she takes her first flight, her parent will show her where to find prey, how to hunt and catch her own food and eventually how to soar. Keep watching to witness the amazing beauty of the eagle chick taking wing.
NOTE TO CAM WATCHERS - clicking noise: The microphone at the nest is faulty. A replacement arrived too late to install this season. The eagles cannot hear the clicking noise, but it can be bothersome to hear when watching the EagleCam. We suggest muting your sound until next season if it is bothersome.
It is an exciting time at the nest, so stay tuned to watch nature up-close and learn all about eagles.
Hey, you! Yes, you, reading this email! We want to sincerely thank you for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program. We rely on your contributions and we just couldn't do our important work without your support. Don't forget to make your donation on your Minnesota tax forms this year. YOU make our program and we appreciate each and every one of you!
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Thanks for the update MpMom. E1 is doing great and you can tell she wants to take flight. Exciting time! :)
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Getting up pretty high now. :)
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She's working on it 8)
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Yes she is, maybe this week ??? ;)
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I'm at that point now where I'm saying "go ahead, take off, and E1 is like "what if I crash?" and I'm like "what if you fly!!" :)
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I know SSRL! She gets up there & says, now what do I do ;D
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New branch!!
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I see her MpMom, I was thinking today might be the day. I work tomorrow and Tuesday so won't be able to check the nest as often. I'm thinking this week for sure!! ;)
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I'll try to get some pics SSRL ;)
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MpMom - if nothing else it's a "feels like" 108 here right now so she should want to fly. Getting hotter still yet today. Unless she's conserving her energy. But one would think she'd want to get to some water/shade.
I suspect without a sibling to coax her off the nest she may linger. We shall see.
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Hi KB! I know, it hotter than heck :o
I just caught her fly to the branch, she was in the nest for a long time..
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Thanks for the pics today MpMom. Got home early and just checked the nest. Waiting.......
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From the DNR...
E1 testing her wings
June 23, 2022
E1 takes the bold flight
Early in the morning on June 23, 2022, E1 (the first eagle chick to hatch in 2022) decided to take her first flight. This is the official fledge!
Eaglets typically fledge around 12 weeks. E1 is a little over 13 weeks, so she’s right on schedule. She has been testing her wings, jumping higher and higher in the wind gusts. She has displayed good stability and capability to jump high with her wings out and land back in the nest. This is a great sign of strength and flight control that bodes well for her coming adventures!
For the next few weeks, E1 will likely leave the nest for longer and longer flights. The adult female will demonstrate hunting techniques, but will continue to provide E1 food on a less frequent basis.
This is an exciting time at the nest, so stay tuned to watch nature up-close and learn all about eagles!
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From the DNR...
E1 testing her wings
June 23, 2022
E1 takes the bold flight
Early in the morning on June 23, 2022, E1 (the first eagle chick to hatch in 2022) decided to take her first flight. This is the official fledge!
Eaglets typically fledge around 12 weeks. E1 is a little over 13 weeks, so she’s right on schedule. She has been testing her wings, jumping higher and higher in the wind gusts. She has displayed good stability and capability to jump high with her wings out and land back in the nest. This is a great sign of strength and flight control that bodes well for her coming adventures!
For the next few weeks, E1 will likely leave the nest for longer and longer flights. The adult female will demonstrate hunting techniques, but will continue to provide E1 food on a less frequent basis.
This is an exciting time at the nest, so stay tuned to watch nature up-close and learn all about eagles!
Really good pic!....I heard the news....thanks MpMom
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This is an exciting day for E1. I think she's going to do just fine. 8)
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It is a great pic KB. I never can get good clear pics :-\
SSRL, she will be fine ;D
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Love that pic of Mom and no kid. Great caption MpMom.
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I just read Bonnie Johnson one hour ago is at the nest site and found Harriet....she's out of camera view behind the nest...Bonnie heard her yesterday but this morning was able to actually see her...
All is well....would be nice if they'd pan the camera a bit more these days...
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KB, the kids name is Harriet??? 0 k a y then :-\
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Just checked the nest and saw she was home again. But then so did you all :D
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Still here ;)
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DNR nest July calendar picture. One of last year's eagles in flight :)
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Beautiful pic SSRL! Thank you for our 1st day of July ;D
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Thanks MpMom, I love the focus in her eyes!
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Has anyone heard if they took the cam down for the summer? It says it isn't in service :(
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I read that the camera needs some work and the IT guy is on vacation. Once it's fixed, it's supposed to be up until the State Fair (that's what I read on the FB Group, but don't know anything for sure) ;)
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It is working now, thanks SSRL 8)
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August calendar picture of Mom last year!
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Awesome cal pic SSRL 8)
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MpMom - I think Harriet is gone?...no one that I read has seen her for a few days.....I wonder what Mom Nancy is doing/waiting for?..
Maybe we'll get a surprise visit. We shall see....
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Hi KB!
I haven't see her for awhile. As for mom, I believe she will stay close as this is her nest. I could be wrong but that is what I think.
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Hi KB!
I haven't see her for awhile. As for mom, I believe she will stay close as this is her nest. I could be wrong but that is what I think.
I'm sure you are correct and I shouldn't feel sad for her...like waiting for a past mate or new one....
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It is sad but happens more than we know, I am sure.
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Cam working again 8)
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MpMom, she just keeps hanging around protecting "her" nest. It will be interesting to see who finally joins her.
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I feel sad for her SSRL :(
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Maybe it's a possible new mate! :)
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I hope so SSRL!!! Cam hasn't worked today so I couldn't see what has been happening :(
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From the DNR...
And that’s a wrap on our 2022 EagleCam season!
A huge thank you to all who followed along this year. One of the goals of our program is to foster enthusiasm and appreciation for wildlife. So seeing all of your comments and feeling your support lets us know that we’re doing something right!
We’ll be turning the camera back on November 17, 2022, so stay tuned and thank you again!
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Another season complete, hopefully a next season will be successful with a new mate and less drama. Although, I think as the eagle population continues to grow, so does the drama.
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Had to post the September calendar picture.
Dad, last year.
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Love the cal. pic, SSRL
From the DNR...
September 28, 2022
This fall marks ten years since the Nongame Wildlife Program EagleCam was installed. On December 28, 2012, Xcel Energy, Floyd Security and DNR Nongame staff gathered at the nest to secure the first EagleCam to the tree. We had no idea what would show up in the nest 10 days later! Three eggs that first year and so many eggs and chicks since then.
We are 50 days away from November 17, aka Give to the Max Day, aka the tenth time we have turned the EagleCam on for the season. We have an eggciting EagleCam season planned this year for the anniversary, so be sure to stay tuned!
In addition, we have a new opportunity for you to stay informed about the Nongame Wildlife Program and what we are up to all year long. If you are interested in all things wild, finding out what our staff is busy with and learning how your donations are used, sign up for our new Nongame newsletter Let's Get Wild!
We want to thank you for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program. We rely on your contributions and we just couldn't do this important work without your support. YOU make The Nongame Wildlife Program and we thank you!
The current eagle pair. A new male (left) has appeared on the nest!
Visit the DNR EagleCam: mndnr.gov/eaglecam
Minnesota Nongame Wildlife Program
DNR’s Nongame Wildlife Program helps preserve and protect thousands of Minnesota wildlife species, some of them threatened or endangered. The program is supported almost entirely through voluntary donations, either directly or by designating an amount to donate on your Minnesota individual income tax form (look for the loon). Donations help us restore habitats, conduct crucial surveys and monitoring, engage in outreach and education (like our Eagle and Falcon cams), and complete other important projects. Visit mndnr.gov/nongame to learn more.
Here are the pics that were on the DNR newsletter. Wouldn't let me copy them with the newsletter ;)
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Thanks for posting the update MpMom. Hopefully these two will have success this year!! :)
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Here is the October picture from the Friends of MN Nongame Eagle Cam calendar. I think it's Mom last year :D
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And I just received my 2023 calendar put together by Thomas Demma and Bonnie Johnson. The cover has a picture of "Harry"
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These are Bonnie and Thomas's business cards to give them credit!! Also some pictures from Bonnie, she says Mom was always trying to avoid the camera ;)
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Totally awesome photos SSRL ;D 8)
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Thanks MpMom, I thought so too! Thomas and Bonnie are good photographers 8)
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From the DNR...
Season Ten of EagleCam NestFlix Begins
New Male perching 11-14-2022
The new male keeping watch
November 15, 2022
Happy Tenth Anniversary, EagleCam Fans!
Attention all EagleCam fans--Thursday is a big day! The DNR EagleCam goes live to begin its tenth anniversary season, and it’s Give to the Max Day.
The female in the EagleCam nest has accepted a new mate into her territory. This is only the second female to inhabit the nest and she took possession in the spring of 2019. She replaced the pioneering female who had been the resident female for at least ten years.
The DNR takes the opportunity each year on Give to the Max Day to highlight the Minnesota Nongame Wildlife Program and turn the EagleCam back on. Government agencies are unable to participate in the official Give to the Max campaign. But that doesn’t mean donations aren’t needed! Much of the Nongame Wildlife Program’s work is funded by donations received online and on state tax forms. Donations are double-matched by the Reinvest in Minnesota fund, so every $10 you donate becomes $30 for Minnesota’s wildlife and natural areas! Donations are used to conduct wildlife research and management, run the EagleCam and so much more. For more information, please visit mndnr.gov/donate.
The DNR appreciates your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program. The program relies on your contributions and this important work couldn’t be done without your support. Thank you!
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Nice to see you here again, MpMom!....
I just saw myself the cam is on again......yah!..
Still sad about the original Mom and Dad ( the best imho) She was banded and released from the UofM Raptor center before mating with Dad...as we watched them what feels like forevah!...but, I'm now accustomed to this pair....for now, hahah.... hoping it's a good year.
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Hi KB!!! I know, I miss our 1st pair too!!
I also hope for a good season with no drama.
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!
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At least she is used to the snow MPMom! ;)
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For sure SSRL :o Lots of snow!
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8.4 inches to be exact!..according to the official weather peeps.
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DNR Mom last year from the December calendar pic. Always such a serious look!
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Just beautiful SSRL 8)
From the DNR...
The new male keeping watch
December 7, 2022
Building a Family
The beginning of what we hope will be another great season at the eagle cam is upon us. Both adult eagles have been visiting the nest a couple times per day. Recently an attempt at mating was even observed! Luckily, the female appeared to be having none of it at this point. We agree that it is a bit early in the season for that! 😊
The tenth season of the cam has us at DNR thinking back to the last decade of this nest and all the successes and challenges we (and the world!) have watched. We have learned new things about how and when chicks and adults communicate (even through the egg shell!), we have watched the parents defend their family from cold, wind, rain, raccoons and more! We have seen fascinating feeding behavior and tried our best to let nature take it’s course when this got hard to watch. We have all learned so much together.
Many of you have been with us all along. Some of you are brand new! During a time of year when some of us reflect on family and gratitude, the eagle cam team has been reflecting on our gratitude that this wild endeavor, which we decided to try 10 years ago, found so many eager minds. We have heard from you through your phone calls, emails, posts, tweets, art, and songs. We have seen eagle cam fans turn living rooms into viewing theaters and schools touch young minds with the intimacy of what we are able to watch these majestic birds do from just feet away.
We hope this season will be another that brings us to the edge of our seats with all the drama that nature possesses. Through whatever this season brings, we remain your Nongame Wildlife Program. Your Nongame Wildlife Program brings you the passion and science you demand of us, but we can only do this because you support us. You support us in so many ways. Keep it coming eagle cam fans. Your passion, attention, advocacy and, yes, your monetary donations, ensures we can keep bringing you what you want. We are thrilled to go another season’s journey with you. Stay tuned for equipment updates and nest happenings. Buckle up, its going to be quite the ride!
If you want to help, visit MNDNR’s Donating to Nongame Wildlife (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/nongame/donate/index_eagle.html). And don’t forget to sign up for eagle came email updates.
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I hope these weren't some of mine flying over my house. :( :( :( :( :( :(
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/nearly-a-dozen-sick-eagles-receive-care-following-suspected-poisoning-in-dakota-county/?utm_source=zetaglobal&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=reconnect&bt_ee=wYgE7DGHO6ivbzK7XE6roTPaUxrQWCP%2BwA3TMeFOhWrV1hokNShMoP3bkCdNSL0g&bt_ts=1670463072505
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Nice pic and update from DNR MpMom. I was surprised to learn that the camera has only been in operation 10 years. I've been watching for 8 years but thought it had been going way longer. :)
Very sad news on the sick eagles and suspected poisoning. I will never understand why people do such awful things. No justification in my mind. I hope they weren't any of your eagles too :( :(
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These eagles were poisoned by eating euthanized carcasses..and dumped in the landfill....
Not intentional poisoning..
Let's not accuse someone nefariously.
This has happened before in other locations/landfills...
Also, the Raptor Center is comfortable treating these eagles probably by chelating the euthanasia chemicals and expect the best for them.
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Thanks for thr clarification KB. I didn't mean to accuse anyone. I guess I didn't read the article closely enough. Sorry I jumped in without knowing what I was talking about. I'll try to be more careful before posting anything.
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Hopeful!! :)
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:D Very cold morning :o
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Wanted to wish you all a
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Going to try to get on the road today, we'll see.
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Merry Christmas MpMom and safe travels :)
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Thank you SSRL, it was one heck of a trip going down :o
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I was a little concerned with your trip down MpMom but happy you are home safe and sound. Best wishes for the new year.
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SSRL, we drove 30mph through Mn & Iowa. Took us 15 hrs to get there ::) Horrific trip!!!
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Happy New Year. 2023 DRN calendar by Bonnie Johnson and Thomas Demma
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Great photo SS ;D
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They will need a mini snow plow up there, MpMOM!....10 inches is predicted.....ugg.
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I am so over this mess this winter KB!!!!!! ::)
It's all of the ice >:(
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So far we got 10 inches since yesterday expected another 3-5 in before it is done. :(
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Locally, they are reporting 13-14 inches so far, MpMom...
It's heavy too....hope that nest stays upright!..
I'm so over it as well.....hang in there....and the nest please.
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Just shy of 15 inches :(
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;) They are decorating ;)
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"They are decorating".....very funny, MpMom...made me laugh out loud....
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They are funny to watch KB. Yesterday they kept bring in sticks & laying them around in all of the snow.
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LOL, MpMom.....geesh, I sure hope we get NO MORE SNOW this year....tough on us humans and them...
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Caught one in the nest yesterday but forgot to post my screen shot!!
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They are around quite a bit SSRL 8)
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Hey, MpMom....Excel fixed the microphone today.....so we should have sound from now on!
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Very cool KB!!!
No one home at this time.
(http://<iframe width="391" height="220" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NOMxO2Qp7QQ" title="Nongame Wildlife EagleCam" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>)
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Someone is home
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Fun picture of the buck shedding his antlers MpMom. Just saw both in the nest fighting over a stick and then the camera stuck. Sorry couldn't get a good screen capture with the little white circle going round and round on the screen.
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I got one before the circle ;)
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Love it!! ;D
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Great pics this morning MpMom!!
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Thanks SSRL 8)
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Good eye, MpMom....hmm.
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Here's another one :(
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From the DNR news...
DNR celebrates EagleCam’s first decade
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is celebrating 10 years of the EagleCam, a popular annual livestream of a bald eagle nest in Minnesota.
The first season of the DNR EagleCam began in January 2013, after the Nongame Wildlife Program installed a webcam in a tree next to an active bald eagle nest. The livestream has grown in popularity since then and now has thousands of followers watching from homes, workplaces, classrooms, waiting rooms and care facilities in all 50 states and at least 150 countries.
Fifteen chicks have successfully fledged from this nest in the last decade. Even before the camera was installed, DNR staff working in the area had discovered the nest and biologists have monitored the mating pairs in it since 2003.
Currently, the breeding female is rebuilding the nest with a new mate. Her previous mate went missing last year, and the new male showed up over the summer. This female has been at the nest for three years and, with her mates, has laid seven eggs and raised five chicks to fledging.
The EagleCam goes live in November each year to show the daily repairs and upgrades the eagles make to their nest. The pair remains active at the nest each day and normally by mid-February have laid two or three eggs, which the adults incubate for about 35 days. Both adults incubate the eggs and care for the chicks.
Once the chicks hatch, the camera zooms in closely to watch the delicate process of raising bald eagle chicks. Tune in to learn about eagles and the Nongame Wildlife Program, and to celebrate 10 years of the DNR EagleCam (mndnr.gov/eaglecam).
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They seem to be a GREAT couple. Hope all goes well this year.
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Another eagle was dive bombing our eagle in the nest. :(
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I read on FB page 5-6 eagles dive bombing the nest....Oh no!
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I caught 3 of them but 2 were mom & dad. He has been sticking with her.
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I caught 3 of them but 2 were mom & dad. He has been sticking with her.
Scary MpMom.....glad you caught this pic.....I read the pond is almost totally frozen over.....hoping it opens up next week...
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KB, Hope the other eagles move on. They were just getting really close & fun to watch. Glad there are no eggs yet.
Our river down here(only 30 Miles from the DNR nest) is open. It has never frozen over. Eagles sit on the edge of the ice towards the open water.
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Is that the pond partially open? Here is Thomas Demma and Bonnie Johnson's February calendar picture. Last year Mom and Dad.
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Beautiful mom & dad SSRL. Yeah the pond is open some.
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Caught one in the nest and one in the tree around 9:30 this morning. :)
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SS, You got both of them in your pic ;D 8)
Left the nest at 7:58pm cst.
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More stuff going on. Dad sticks with mom but lots of yelling.
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Still protecting nest at 8:51 am
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Me thinks soon, MpMOM.......
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Me too KB ;D
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Just happened to check the nest and the camera had zoomed in............. :)
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Beautiful pic SSRL!!!
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Got lucky MpMom, love your pics of both in the nest :)
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Nice pics this morning. A girl has to eat especially if she's getting ready to lay an egg ;)
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I can't wait for the egglet SSRL! I love these 2 ;D
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;) All of this time dad has been sitting on an egglet!! CONGRATULATIONS DNR!!!!
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;) All of this time dad has been sitting on an egglet!! CONGRATULATIONS DNR!!!!
Woot woot!....congrats Mom and Dad.
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It is eggciting KB!!!! It had to have happen between 10am & 1pm.
I love these 2!!!!
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Just checked the nest first time today and the egg!! So of course had to get a pic, but I see you already posted it MpMom. Here is another at 2:55pm :) Still there.
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It's a great day SSRL 8)
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From the DNR...
February 15, 2023
Congratulations everyone, we have our first egg of the 2023 season! We are so excited to share the happy news with you!
The first egg came around 12:30 PM today. The pair has been preparing the bole with soft grasses and leaves for a few weeks. The last few days, the female has been slowing down, spending more time in the nest and the male has been bringing food to her in the nest. These were all signs that an egg was imminent.
What happens next?
Additional eggs will likely come over the next few days - usually two or three days apart. We say usually because there can be up to five days between eggs.
The count to hatching begins today. This first egg is expected to hatch after 34-39 days of incubation. Frequent turning of the eggs helps the eggs develop properly. When turning the eggs, the adults curl up their talons in order to not injure it. They use their beak to gently roll the eggs between their feet, then reposition. Both adults develop an "egg patch" on their stomach which allows the the bare skin to keep the egg warm for development.
What is that sound?
On January 20, a new microphone was installed at the nest! Having sound is very exciting and brings new enjoyment for cam viewers. Recent territorial battles have been seen and can now also be heard. Sound can increase the drama of the powerful battles that can occur at the nest, but also improves understanding of how eagles communicate. In addition to adding the microphone, a branch that was obstructing the nest view was also removed. The camera was also re-secured and greatly improved the image quality!
Bald eagle vocalizations
Bald eagles make three or four main types of calls. They are generally referred to as the chatter call, peel call, wail call and chirp or whistle call. Biologists have long been studying what these various calls mean and when eagles use them. Turns out, much like people, eagles make a wide variety of noises for a variety of reasons and we don’t fully understand what every call means.
Calls are most often used for communicating with other eagles (what biologists call conspecifics), communicating with or deterring threats to their nest or territory and signaling readiness for mating, feeding or other group activities. Some biologists have even found fascinating evidence that individual eagles have uniquely identifiable voices.
Some other interesting eagle vocalization facts:
Eagles are generally considered to make a “wimpy,” “weak,” or “insufficiently impressive” call for such large majestic birds!
Most often on TV and film when an eagle shown majestically in flight, it is accompanied inaccurately by the piercing cry of the Red-tailed hawk.
Eagles are thought to hunt mostly quietly and their calls do not seem frightening to other birds.
Bald eagles are thought to have different regional dialects across different parts of their North American range.
Female Bald eagles tend to make lower pitched calls.
Vocalizations help us understand just how sensitive eagles can be to human disturbance. Some studies have found that human activity near eagles increased agitation (as demonstrated by vocalization) by about 300% to 400%.
Eagles will often accompany their squeaky alarm calls with a vertical head toss, keep an eye out for that on our cam!
When an egg is close to hatching, chirping from the chick might be heard from inside the egg!
You can see (song sonograms) and hear examples of eagle vocalization on many places online, here are a few: Bald Eagle on Bird of the World, The Cornell Lab, All About Birds, Bald Eagle Sounds, American Eagle Foundation Bald Eagle Behavior
Our deep appreciation goes out to Xcel Energy, All State Technologies, MNIT (Minnesota Information Technology) and YOU, our donors for the new microphone and the EagleCam. The support every one of you provide to the Nongame Program is deeply appreciated! Thank you!
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Congratulations!
Mp, Kb, ssrl, that's wonderful news!
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Great to see you Lani! It is eggciting!!! They have made the news up here!!!
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Both on nest, Mom moves so she can eat, Dad getting ready to sit on egg.
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FB page is saying there is a second egg...confirmed by Lori..
I must say there was a part of me that was hoping for only 1 this season after what happened last year...
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Yes, 2 egglets. I was at a food shelf meat raffle today-so I missed it.
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Great pics, MpMom!
Getting ready for our big storm.....
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KB, I am so over this winter!!! It has been the worse one in a long time. ::)
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KB, I am so over this winter!!! It has been the worse one in a long time. ::)
somewhere between 17 and 23 inches they say...
Sis and I are calling it: The worst winter ever in our lifetimes!....snow and ice and snow and ice
I hope Mom and Dad and the eggs will hang on....that's an awful lot of snow.
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Not going to be good KB :( I hope mom & dad can deal with this storm!
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Good Morning MpMom. So glad to see you here monitoring another season. This has always been one of my favorite nests, and you always seem to be right there to keep me updated. I was out of town and missed the egg laying. Looking forward to watching the progress this season. Hopefully we end with two successful fledges.
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Welcome back Raleigh!!! I love this nest & have watched since it went online. The 2 parents are cute together & hope it continues. We need a great season!!
The last pic may be dad eating. Now I'm getting confused. I know it is mom on the nest at night & usually catch when she leaves in the am, but I can't be here every second of the day. :-\
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They have really improved their camera. Beautiful pair of eagles. Is this still our young male who would now be on his third year at this nest? I recall he really improved his parenting skills last season.
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From the dnr Raleigh...
As you may remember, last year, the male disappeared from the nest. We suspect he succumbed to HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza), but it was never confirmed. Over the summer, another male began visiting the territory and the past few months, our female has accepted his presence and it appears she has a new mate. We are excited to see how the EagleCam season plays out and watch the male and female bond over the next couple of months before mating begins.
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Thank you for the clarification MpMom. I either forgot that, or missed our young male going missing. I’ll try to pay closer attention this year.😀 Watching for the anticipated snowstorm now. Fascinating how they are dedicated to the eggs, even when buried in snow.
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I love the DNR report on the second egg. They make the nest sound so warm and cozy, and then you see the poor parent. I’m sure it’s cozy and ideal for the eggs. I’d bet if the parents could talk they might have a second opinion.😀 Let’s hope this storm is short lived.
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Wish I could reach through the screen & clear the nest off for them. We just finished our 1st plowing & shoveling before the next round shows up.
They are so cute Raleigh. They seem really good together.
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Wish I could send you some of this record heat in NC. 80’s today and tomorrow 😳
I’m jealous of your snow. First time in a long time we didn’t see the first flake this winter. Stay safe and warm. Look forward to your nest updates.
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I would love warmer weather Raleigh!!
Just was watching a parent chasing another eagle away from the nest. Couldn't get a pic, to fast for me. I'll keep an eye out.
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;) The white head must be the other parent trying to get the juvies to leave the territory. ;)
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Hopefully that’s a nice blanket. Looks miserable, but they sure are dedicated.
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Still a lot of snow/ice on her beak :(
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Mom is a star! KSTP had mom on tv again this am. Taken live yesterday when mom was totally covered with snow, got up to shake it off of her. Way to go mama 8)
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They are definitely a fun couple to watch MpMom. Is this nest right in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area?
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It's not far from St Paul. About 25 minutes from me.
They are doing great ;D
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Hi Raleigh nice to see you back. Great pics MpMom. I just had to capture this one because the camera had such a nice close up. Have a great day all.
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It is a great pic SSRL ;D
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Good to see you ssrl. I was never really gone, just perching instead of posting most days😀 Great photo capture.
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Looking forward to an annual fishing trip on the Mississippi around Wabasha at the end of April. Been going there since the 70’s. Been amazing to watch the comeback of the eagles. As a kid, I never saw any in the area. Now I don’t think I can look around while out on the water without seeing an eagle. Seems like every year I spot a new nest as well.
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Sounds like a fun fishing and "viewing" trip Raleigh. I was amazed at the amount of eagles down that way when I took a trip to the National Eagle Center a few years back. Beautiful area. I'll have to go again.
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Catching fish is just a bonus. It’s really become more of an eagle viewing trip. I have a room in the house dedicated to all the eagle photos I’ve taken through the years. My wife is always asking me why I take so many pictures of the eagles. I told her it’s impossible for me to have an eagle in a tree watching me fish, and not take a picture 😀
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Sounds like a fun trip Raleigh!!!! I love fishing ! I heard they did quite a bit of work to the Eagle Center. Have to check it out one of these days.
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The Eagle Center has expanded into the building across the street. Always worth the trip. Great photo MpMom.
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Raleigh, the eagle center is so fun!!!
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Raleigh, the eagle center is so fun!!!
Funny MpMom!.....
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I couldn't help myself KB ;D 8)
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Cam is up now ;)
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So glad to read Minnesota Nongame Wildlife cam has EC feed back up and running.
Male on the nest right now, basking in the warm Minnesota sunshine.
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/334152826_188480517145936_151418726835221911_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p180x540&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=YESHepVsqj0AX9D1Wuj&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBK1ckzkeXT8batwgsPF17gbGxBgVIFtxVk5c60w_FEIQ&oe=64028699)
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Looks like a frosty morning MpMom.
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Sure was Raleigh!!! Balls of sleet were pounding in our area :(
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MpMom - I'm reading with a pic provided on Friends of MN nongame fb page site, one of the eggs broke.
Have you seen it?...something about it was stuck on Dad last night I think and so I don't know if it broke first or because of...
Our weather has been the worst evah!..
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Oh no KB!!! They make sure we can't see anything so I haven't seen it. I am sad for them! This weather has been just crap up here.
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From the DNR...
female incubating in blizzard 02232023
female incubating in storm 02/23/2023
March 1, 2023
Snowstorm
A significant snow storm moved through Minnesota on February 22-23, 2023. While this caused a lot of buzz for us humans, the storm was not a new phenomenon for Minnesota bald eagles. For birds living in northern climates, varying elements are frequent and the birds make adaptations to ensure brood success. This eagle pair prepared for the storm by digging a deeper hole in the nest - known as the "bole" where the eggs are cradled. Each adult also brought in more grasses and leaves to serve as supplemental nesting material for keeping the eggs warm in anticipation of the storm. Throughout the storm, the eggs were kept covered and were regularly turned as expected. Both adults have had a consistent diet and appear very healthy.
Broken Egg
On February 28, when the male and female were switching incubation duties, the male rose with one egg stuck to his brood patch. The brood patch is a bare spot of skin that all nesting adult eagles have. It allows for the warm skin of the adult's body to be in direct contact with the egg, keeping the eggs at an optimal 99°F. We don't know if the egg was already broken when the male stood up, or if it happened earlier.
What now?
There is no indication the remaining egg is broken or infertile. The eagle pair will continue incubating it just as they have been, until about March 23. Since we don't know if the broken egg was the first or second egg, the incubation time frame is less predictable. We will begin egg watch on March 22. The survival rate of bald eagle chicks to fledging (successful flight) is 50%. It is sad and unfortunate to lose an egg, but since there will only be one chick to care for, the survival chances increase dramatically!
What does happen inside of the egg?
Here are some insights into the secret world inside a bald eagle egg:
Once a bald eagle egg is laid, the embryo development takes off at breakneck pace! The first structure to form inside the egg is called the “primitive streak,” this will become the future head and backbone of the chick. Quickly thereafter, the embryo develops a vascular system, organs and the heart begins beating. Next to appear are limb buds, then digits. Last to develop are feathers and their associated structures and the beak. Remember, this little body needs to be ready to support itself, breathe, eat, compete with its siblings and beg for food! 35 days is not a lot of time to get all those systems in place.
It is not hard to imagine that the first big hurdle of eaglet’s life is escaping its protective egg shell! Development takes care of preparing an eaglet for this first struggle. A sharp point grows on the end of the eaglet’s beak, called an egg tooth, and strong muscles start to move the eaglet around inside the egg. The movement of the egg tooth against the inside of the shell breaks the membrane on the small pocket of air inside the shell. This is called an “internal pip” and is the first time the eaglet inside breathes air using its lungs. Before this moment, respiration has occurred via a network of blood vessels that carry the air defusing through the egg shell directly to the developing embryo. Just before the external pip (the first visible hole in the eggshell) the eaglet still inside its eggs will begin to vocalize with tiny cheeps. We just might be able to actually hear this from inside of the egg!
Thank you for your continued support and for watching the EagleCam!
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Oh no!! I just got home from work and saw this. Haven't even been on FB to check. This is sad.
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This was on the Kansas City Star news. A MN DNR photo.
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Well, on the bright side as they noted, this does increase the chances of a fledge for the remaining egg. It also dramatically reduces our anxiety watching the feedings when we always see that one eaglet missing out on the meals, and getting bonked by its sibling.😀
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That's exactly what I thought too MpMom :)
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I agree Raleigh. Thought the same thing!!
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Sorry Raleigh, I accidently wrote "MpMom" but meant I agree Raleigh, one egg is still good. ;)
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So funny how we all feel that same anxiety cheering for the underdog to get a bite. :)
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It is true Raleigh! We always do 8)
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Checked the nest before I have to head out to work and it looks kind of miserable there in the nest. Faithfully taking care of that egg!! ;)
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Looks like MpMom and our eagles are headed for another round of snow. Hang in there….spring is coming.
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Me too Raleigh, I live northwest of the DNR nest in a western suburb of Mpls. A lot of snow this year but the BE's hang in there!!
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It won't be over til June! LOL More to come tomorrow :(
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:(
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And, a little later in the day, still kind of miserable out there ::)
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Boy, when she wants her egg, she wants her egg ;D
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She is kind of bossy like that MpMom ;D Cold this morning but so nice to have a sunny day!! Off to work, I'll check in later.
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SS, we know who wears the feathers in that family ;)
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Boy with the microphone working at the nest cam you can sure hear the wind howling today!!
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I know SSRL, we need nice warm days 8)
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I think we are on "pip" watch :)
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They won't let us see much, I've been watching 8)
They should start getting up a lot more & looking at the egg & listening.
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Cam isn't working :(
9:22 cam just cam back ;D
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Have been watching off & on & they aren't sharing the egglet ;)
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Have been watching off & on & they aren't sharing the egglet ;)
Yep, waiting, waiting, waiting....LOL
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LOL KB
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I just checked the nest too and got a great shot of Dad I think. You got some great pics too MpMom. Yes KB, waiting, waiting :)
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;)
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Thanks to both of you for your watchful eyes. Seems like almost every time I check out the camera it seems to be down. Are we in the hatch window?
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I think so Raleigh, the DNR said we start watching around March 22-23. We don't know which egg is there, the first or second one laid so the timing is a little unsure..........but hopefully soon.
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Hard to see the egglet. ;)
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Pictures of a pip on their fb page...looks legit to me
and then confirmed by Lori...
see you all tomorrow.
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I haven't seen a good pic of the egg. But I am sure Lori would know. ;)
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I think it might be a little eagle. Not sure. :)
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;D Congratulations mom & dad ;D
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;D
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Hooray, great capture MpMom. Congratulations to our DNR parents
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So cute Raleigh 8)
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Thanks for the nice pics MpMom
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We got our baby SSRL 8)
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;)
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Okay, now looking forward to successful growing up and fledge. Always hungry but I think this Mom and Dad can take care of the little one 8)
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They are great parents SSRL, they argue who is going to babysit ;D
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From the DNR...
chick first day photo shoot 03/27/2023
March 27, 2023
Welcome to the world!
On Sunday, March 26 the EagleCam caught just a glimpse of the broken egg and the chick arrived! Both parents sat tightly and didn't leave the bole open for more than a few seconds so we didn't get a clear view of the chick, but we confirmed the hatch at 9pm last night. Thanks to the night vision of the infrared we could see the fuzzy body being rolled around the nest bole. The new microphone even picked up the chick's peeping and the local coyote pack howling! Not to worry - they sound closer than they are and coyotes don't climb trees.
Healthy chick
During incubation, the chick has been absorbing the fluid from the egg sac, so by the time it hatches it is healthy and doesn't need food for the first several hours. This chick has already been fed three times within the first 24 hours! With only one chick to raise, the odds of survival are increased significantly. There will be no sibling rivalry, nor food competition.
The male has been bringing in lots of prey for the the female, and the deliveries increased today to help feed the chick. A fish, a duck and a squirrel were on the menu today. The eagles will leave nothing to waste, setting aside or burying the prey remains in the nest for future consumption. As we've witnessed before, the white-footed mice who also use the nest as a home will consume any tiny left over scraps.
What to expect
Bald eagle chicks are one of the fastest growing species on the planet. Thanks to the work of Gary Bortolotti and Jon M. Gerrard in Saskatchewan in the 1970s and 1980s, we have reliable information on the development of eagle nestlings from hatch to fledge (take flight), including weight and growth of the critical beak, feet, and wing feathers. Beak and feet grow faster than other body parts because they are essential tools for survival and take several weeks to be fully developed. The “gangly” and “clownish” look of young eaglets is largely due to the disproportionate growth of feet and beaks.
Hatched with thin natal down, eaglets gain a thicker second set of down starting a week or so after hatching, and soon thereafter their body (contour) feathers begin to grow. These feathers will become the juvenile (first-year) eagle’s smooth covering by the time it fledges. They take several weeks to reach full length, especially the wing feathers which are not yet fully grown until after fledge. (source: Elfruler.com)
Watchers from over 180 countries
You are part of a large family of dedicated fans around the world! At peak today, there were over 1700 people watching the EagleCam at once! This doesn't account for the many classrooms, waiting rooms and community rooms with multiple students of nature learning about our regal national symbol. We are grateful for every one of you and thrilled to be sharing in the joy of the natural world.
Thank you for your continued support and for watching the EagleCam!
Donate to EagleCam
Visit the DNR EagleCam: mndnr.gov/eaglecam
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Cam is on now.
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Great pictures MpMom. Am I seeing things, or are you all under a winter storm watch? Praying it warms up for all of you soon. Hang in there
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Yes Raleigh, we are under storm watches. I don't think we will be done with winter until June ;D We still have a ton of snow in our backyard :(
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Might want to extend that to later than June, MpMom.
El Nino is taking hold now so that could mean cooler than average summers..
Keep that fluffy baby dry Nancy and Beau....expect to see dry grasses coming in all morning today.
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I hear you KB ;)
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Blizzard warnings just popped up for the twin cities, MpMom.
I have no words anymore...
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I know, can't take much more of this KB!!! I'm also watching where Mindy is in Missouri, they have tornado warnings :(
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Very dangerous weather across the midsection today but these two taking care of the little one, feeding in the lull, I worry..............had a lot of pea size hail here a little while ago, hoping the eagles weren't pounded. Also so many friends in Missouri, Davenport, IA, Arkansas........stay safe everyone
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Thomas Demma just visited the nest.
His words and pic:" Nest is still up, bird in the tree."
I'm however devastated, I lost a row of 9, 45 year old arborvitaes in front that provided a privacy screen from the parking lot across the street from me.
Might as well have been a tornado...they are irreplaceable, at least in my lifetime.
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Cam is clear now. KB, I am getting to hate winter! I'm sorry about your trees, I know how you feel! We planted 11 arborvitaes last fall, don't know if they are going to make it. I think our honeysuckle, service berry & flowering dog wood took a hit. Not sure yet. All of this sucks!!!!
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Cam is clear now. KB, I am getting to hate winter! I'm sorry about your trees, I know how you feel! We planted 11 arborvitaes last fall, don't know if they are going to make it. I think our honeysuckle, service berry & flowering dog wood took a hit. Not sure yet. All of this sucks!!!!
Yeah, my row of arbors were 45 years old and were a privacy line blocking my view of the apartment complex parking lot across the street...Not sure i can live here anymore :( :(
Anyone see the little one yet, or is the bowl to deep...I just saw I think Nancy tuck it in..but can't see it...?
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Here he is ;)
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Here he is ;)
Oh thanks, MpMom....a little bit of good news 'round here.
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What a mess out there, just finished cleaning things up!! So glad the ice if off the camera and you got a shot of the little one MpMom. I was worried last night. Now "Mom" is taking a well deserved rest! Hang in there KB and MpMom.
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SSRl, I got 2 huge branches moved but can't get to anything else. So much snow :(
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Just heard we made the top 3 in snowfall. This was so heavy and wet. Take care MpMom 😘 We got about 9.5" here. Some places a lot more.
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More coming in this am & on Tuesday :o
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The nest fell down guys..
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I am sooooo sad! It must have happened just after I took the pic. Oh my gosh I am sick!!!!
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This is heartbreaking, I checked the nest earlier this morning and all was fine, then later I only saw the trees and thought the camera was off. People headed over there now. :'(
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I watched the tape & got a pic. Our poor baby. :'( :'( :'( :'(
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Thanks MpMom, I started watching the tape and couldn't finish. These two have worked so hard this year :'(
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They we wonderful together SSRL, a perfect match & took great care of the baby :'(
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DNR update:
They did find the chick and it is deceased..
(https://scontent.ffcm1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/339127728_242102131713682_4513682214233538707_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=zVjS9_ZUCi4AX_Q18hf&_nc_ht=scontent.ffcm1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBz2GyEt3Y9PaKPFLU5SKYzSkCCx3UaqxMmRJqnnfCQag&oe=642EDBCF)
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Rest in Peace our special baby. These 2 were great parents. I will miss watching this nest :'( :'( :'( :'(
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:(
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This is so very sad. Thank you for all of the beautiful screen shots you provided from this cam.
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It is so sad Linda. I will miss this family.
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So sorry to everyone who watches this nest. Such a sad day.
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This is so heartbreaking. This was the first nest I ever followed, and has always been my favorite. So sad
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I hear you Raleigh. I have watched this nest since it came online :(
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Message from Bonnie Johnson and Friends of the Nongame Eagle Cam MN DNR Photo taken yesterday May 7th
Hiiiii Friends!
I believe this is Nancy and Beau's new nest!!! 🤩Taken today, on side of road and a long distance from her, so not the greatest quality. But I have been waiting and hoping to get a shot of her next to it to share here. This spot isn't too far from the previous nest, a location they have been seen at many times!
~ Bon
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Good to see they are still here SSRL!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KB!!!!!
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Thank you, Dear MpMom!
And Happy Anniversary to the two of you....enjoy both Mother's Day and your celebration of marriage.
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Thank you KB :-*
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;) ;D
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:(
(http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/429/429973li6r1sn1t9.gif) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
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MpMom
Happy Birthday America!
Thomas Demma and Bonnie have spotted what they think to be their new nest and posted some pics on their fb page. Lori agrees.
It's not too far away....nothing said yet, but maybe they will put cams up?....the area has a pond, a train tracks and the highway visible...I need a map from overhead showing previous nest to current one to really understand...but hopes are high for next season!
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That would be so GREAT, KB!!!!! It is so close & I know where the old one was. We need a cam on the new one!!! 8)
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minnesota department of natural
The EagleCam Returns!
The nest is gone, but the eagles and the camera remain
The webcam that brought you the popular EagleCam for ten seasons is still in place and will be broadcast again this year. Even though there is not a nest, the eagle pair still frequents the same territory. Since the nest fell, they have continued to be seen by photographers in the area as well as by DNR staff monitoring the camera. This year, we will keep the camera “touring” locations in the area where we’ve observed eagle activity or perching. We hope you will tune in to immerse yourself in eagle habitat and visit the other wildlife that utilize this natural area.
A recap:
Last EagleCam season began as usual in November 2022. The same pair as the previous season were tending their nest. They laid two eggs in February. One of the eggs broke shortly thereafter. They continued to incubate the remaining egg through spring snowstorms and endured intense Minnesota spring weather. On April 1, 2023, almost a foot of heavy, wet snow fell. The branch that had held the nest for 20 years finally gave way and the nest fell in the morning of April 2. Staff immediately went to the site and found that the one-week-old chick did not survive the fall.
Whether live or on the YouTube recording, watching the nest fall was difficult for many. In the vicinity of our webcam’s featured nest, there were three other eagle nests that fell that day, as well as many trees. The viral image of the incubating, snow-covered female illustrates the unpredictability of Minnesota's weather, but eagles are resilient and the pair were spotted in the area many times during the subsequent months. This is normal, as eagles are very loyal to their territory.
What's next?
A new nest will be broadcast in the future. Thank you to everyone who sent in suggestions, we have two potential locations chosen. It is a challenge to install a camera at an eagle's nest but, thankfully, Minnesota has the largest population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states, so there is no shortage! We are dedicated to installing the camera at a new eagle nest by next season to share and we thank you for your patience as we work out the complexities of camera installation. Stay tuned for more information as our efforts progress!
Because we are part of a Government Agency, we are unable to participate in the Give to the Max Day official campaign. You can still help support our program and a new EagleCam location by donating on your Minnesota tax forms or on line here: Nongame Donate
Thank you for supporting your wildlife and your Nongame Wildlife Program!
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Just happened to check out the DNR cam and one of the eagles is perched in the old spot!!
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We need a nest SS!!!!
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Howdy MpMom!
We need a camera in their new nest!....their fb pages have some camera folks sharing pics of the new nest...too bad they decided not to put cameras up yet. I hear ya!
(https://scontent.ffcm1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/428699578_430134492698409_6727771835139203668_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p843x403&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c42490&_nc_ohc=OXV5KFnvDWQAX90ecEv&_nc_ht=scontent.ffcm1-1.fna&oh=00_AfA3EKLfaP1mcS1nIKM_DXmEuUeVqEWX0_-eISStWBKt3g&oe=65D823C3)
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Checked in at the old nest site and someone was keeping watch ;)
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Bonnie Johnson took this picture and the new DNR nest :)