Fledging is when a bird takes its first flight from the nest. Young eagles typically stay in the nest approximately 10 to 12 weeks. The stage before that is branching. This is when they go between branches of the tree.
On my last post about the eagles you saw the baby eagles in a nest near the Hudson River in New York with the downy, grayish feathers. Now the young eagle has juvenile feathers.
This nest had two baby eagles. Now I see only one. I no longer have a view from above or on level due to the leaves on the trees. The babies a few months ago were exercising their wings by moving them about.
On Saturday I saw the young eagle sitting on one branch below the nest the whole time I was there. He seemed like he was unsure of himself or in a pickle. He moved slowly up back and forth on the branch and screeched a lot. Not sure if he was hungry or needed help.
The next day the young eagle was practicing take-offs and landings on neighboring branches and the nest. He seemed quite clumsy as sticks flew off the nest when he landed there.
The parents were hardly seen. I did not see them on Saturday. I was only there about 2 hours. A few months ago I could catch the parents feeding the two babies a few times after 8 in the morning. This time, however, I did not see the parents on Sunday between 8-11 a.m. The young eagle was screeching constantly and at one point sounded hurt or desperate when finally the parents flew up one by one to drop off a small fish. The young eagle ate ravenously. I understand the parents may start to withhold food or tempt the young eagle to fly by holding a fish on a neighboring tree.
Where is the other young eagle? Has it already fledged? Could it already be out and about enjoying its new ability to fly? Wouldn’t you like to have that bird’s eye view of the Hudson Valley?
Such great shots! You’re so lucky to have seen these eagles and then been able to capture the images! Picture 4 looks like you’re on eye level with him! Thanks for sharing!
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Not quite eye level, although that is what appears to be. A little bit of a hill I was on, but not much. I no longer get get that nice view looking on level or down on the nest. Thanks!
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Update it flew to a neighboring tree today. It was rather clumsy. The sibling was much more confident and flew to an easier branch to perch on.
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Fantastic shots! I didn’t know the juveniles had yellow feathers under the wings and tail.
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I don’t know if that was the lighting or if that was the true colors. Much of the branches on the trees are shaded by leaves.
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really great shots Sharon! Btw,that yellow is from something else because they do not have colouring under their wings.
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I think it was light filtering through the leaves some of which were yellow.
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maybe,the light is coming from underneath so it would have to be reflected from something of the colour from below?
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Could be the leaves
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Magnificent birds (and pictures!)
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Thanks! They truly are magnificent!
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