Mission: To promote the appreciation of wildlife and increase harmony between humanity and nature.

On Instagram: @unionbaywatch

Friday, May 24, 2013

Life After Eddie - Eva's New Eaglet

The new, 2013 eaglet in the Broadmoor nest still has remnants of fluffy, white "peach fuzz" on the back of its head. 
This is the second spring since Eddie the Eagles demise on the 520 bridge. This year there have been a some changes around the nest that Eddie (and Eva) built. 

For one thing Eva and Albert (Eddies replacement) have only one eaglet this year as compared to the two they raised last year. In addition this year's eaglet appears to be three or four weeks ahead of last year's schedule. The core of the eaglets new feathers can be seen protruding behind each wing like a row of parallel straws. This looks strange but it is normal.
The same thing happened last year, to the eaglets Beatrice and Eleanor, but the timing was closer to mid-June, not mid-May. Most likely the reason for this change in timing is beyond knowing, but it does make one wonder if the earlier hatching could be due to the warmer spring. On the other hand maybe the hatching was around the same time but since there is only one eaglet the growth has been accelerated. It is hard to know.

Still in 2013 more things are the same with the 520 eagles than are different from 2012. For the last few months Eva has been almost constantly at the nest. To begin with there was the mating in the nesting tree. 
Then once the eggs were laid, nearly constant warming was required and lately Eva has been at the nest protecting the eaglet as it grows.

Also like last year Albert has been doing most of the grocery runs.



By the way for the last couple of months the eagle sitting on the 520 light pole was most likely Albert, since Eva has been at the nest most of the time. During the rest of the year, when Eva is not nesting, she is more likely to be the one on the 520 light pole and Albert gets relegated to one of the cottonwood trees along the shore. Female eagles on average weigh about 50% more than the males, so they tend to get their choice when it comes to hunting spots, how the nest is built and who gets to eat first. Since the male birds are smaller it seems logical to assume that they may be the more agile hunters. Since Albert is the primary provider, when the family is in the nest, it seems appropriate that he should be very good at finding food. 

Last year Albert caught a gull for dinner (read the story here). 
Even though he stopped to rest on the way back to the nest, he did not take a single bite to eat. As a matter of fact it seems that all the food that he brings to the nest seems to be fresh and whole. Usually the diet seems to be fish, fish and more fish. Once the food reaches the nest Eva immediately takes over. Whether it is removing feathers or strips of meat she is the one who begins the food preparation. 
Then she feeds the eaglet, herself and then finally Albert gets a turn. quite often Albert simply leaves the nest without even eating. He just heads out to find more food.

Folks quite often ask how they can tell Eva and Albert apart. It is fairly easy when they are side by side, since Eva is clearly larger. However if the two birds are not together the challenge is considerably more difficult. Unlike our local pileated woodpeckers there are no obvious color differences between the mature, male and female eagles. 

The only clue that maybe seems to work for me is comparing the diameter of the eye to the distance from the top of the eye to the top of the head. Admittedly this distance can change depending on how the feathers are laying. However in general it seems that for Eva the top of the head is often slightly greater than 1 eyes distance away, while for Albert this distance is usually less than or equal to the diameter of an eye. Still these two photos of the same eagle, taken last month in Interlaken Park, show that this method is not clear cut and cannot be used if the feathers are ruffled.

Still I do think this is Albert.

Last year's initial post about Eva and Albert's first set of eaglets was titled, Life after Eddie. Just like last year once again there is new life, and hope for the future, in the nest that Eddie built.





















8 comments:

  1. Delightful as always Larry!!! :) Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I saw these birds over the weekend! Thanks for sharing some details about them. How did you get such a close look at their nest?

    My ebird log:
    http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14249158

    Thanks
    Max

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The closest point outside of the Broadmoor Golf Course is on E. McGilvra St. just south of the Beaver Lodge Sanctuary. Even at that point a scope or binoculars will be needed. It is kind of funny that you can get much closer to the nest that is NE of the Union Bay Natural Area, but because that nest is in a leafed-out, cottonwood tree it is virtually impossible to see to the birds . My closest photos in this post were the last two from Interlaken Park. I was just lucky in finding a hillside trail that took me reasonably close to the eagle perched high in a big-leaf maple tree. I was able to remain there for at least half an hour without spooking the bird. When he was ready to leave, he just left and I felt very lucky to have spent time with him.

      Delete
  3. Thank you so much for sharing these fantastic photos. I think the Bald Eagle is so regal and spectacular, in flight, nesting or whatever. Your photos are so beautiful. Thanks again, so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome. We are certainly lucky to live in a city and place that allows us to co-exist with so many beautiful, native creatures. This morning I watched a beaver swim past Foster Island and yesterday I got to see a mother Wood Duck with 7 newborn ducklings climbing across the lily pads. It is a great way to start the day.

      Delete
  4. I had planned to cancel my Seattle Times, but had a change of heart after reading your front page article. I can now determine the sex of PW, when it makes it's daily visit on our deck. And it's now clear why it rains feathers in the backyard from high above. Many thanks for sharing. Hawaiian transplant in Illahee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you I am glad you find my work entertaining. I do not know if you noticed but I have done four posts on Hawaii. The first was in April 2012, then in July 2012 and also the first two posts in January of 2013. I hope you find them iteresting as well.

      Delete