More Observations Requested
Thank you all for your helpful observations. From your notes, we know for a fact that the bird has remained on the nest overnight. This certainly confirms that they are very attached to the nest site.
Now as many of you observed, the bird did make motions like it was tending to an egg this morning. It stood up, looked down, appeared to adjust something underneath it and then settled back down. I looked through today’s images and it appeared that the bird had made several of these type of motions this morning. Since we cannot see into the nest we must be guided by the bird’s behavior.
Eagles like all birds, must rotate eggs to keep them viable and they will do this at a somewhat regular intervals. I would not expect for the birds do this type of motion if they were only “practicing” incubation as they would in pre-laying behavior.
I am hoping that as a group you can comment on the time and perhaps capture video of this “egg tending” behavior. If some of the viewers who are watching throughout the day could actually keep a running log of this behavior (time, date), it would help us determine what may be happening in the nest. This should occur once ever 1-3 hours. Below are a series of picture of the type of behavior I am describing.
Also note if the birds leave the nest for any length of time.
Thank you.
Wing Goodale, BioDiversity Research Institute
Now as many of you observed, the bird did make motions like it was tending to an egg this morning. It stood up, looked down, appeared to adjust something underneath it and then settled back down. I looked through today’s images and it appeared that the bird had made several of these type of motions this morning. Since we cannot see into the nest we must be guided by the bird’s behavior.
Eagles like all birds, must rotate eggs to keep them viable and they will do this at a somewhat regular intervals. I would not expect for the birds do this type of motion if they were only “practicing” incubation as they would in pre-laying behavior.
I am hoping that as a group you can comment on the time and perhaps capture video of this “egg tending” behavior. If some of the viewers who are watching throughout the day could actually keep a running log of this behavior (time, date), it would help us determine what may be happening in the nest. This should occur once ever 1-3 hours. Below are a series of picture of the type of behavior I am describing.
Also note if the birds leave the nest for any length of time.
Thank you.
Wing Goodale, BioDiversity Research Institute
posted by Bald Eaglecam at 1:03 PM
310 Comments:
Hello. 1:14pm eagle raised up, and was "tidying" up the nest. Called out to mate and got an answer back but the other adult did not come into view. The back end is surely raised higher up.
I am seeing the same thing. what do you think this means.
I agree with Holly. At 1:12 I saw the eagle adjust something in the nest and settle back down. It didn't look exactly like what Mom was doing earlier, but similar.
At 1:14 he called out and got a response back from Mom, but I have seen her since the nest exchange at 12:43.
Sheryl
1;20 Pm Eastern time, The mom seems to be sitting higher in the nest then previously. Just an observation. Her front end seems lower in the nest than her back end. Patti
Hello Wing, I've been watching
quite a bit this morning, I guess
I'm addicted to this pair, lol, and
I have seen Dad and Mom working
on the nestbowl as you have posted
in your update. I am sorry but I
do not have recorded times. It
has happened more than once by Dad earlier today and then Mom. Hopefully, someone can post the times for you.
Are you implying that the excitement isn't over, but may be just starting...again! This is history in the making I assume, and all of us "cam-heads" are thrilled. WIng, thank you for encouraging all us eagle groupies to contimue observing. With so many extra eyes, we probably won't miss too much. Looks like the eagle pair is teaching the world to be true to oneself and never give up.Wonderful!
4/11/07 1:30 PM.... The eagle in the nest (not sure if it's the male or female)has it's tail toward the camera and as Holly said, the back end is raised up quite high. I did not see any repositioning of the bird. It just appears to be situtated in a strange manner.
I agree with Holly. At 1:12 I saw the eagle adjust something in the nest and settle back down. It didn't look exactly like what Mom was doing earlier, but similar.
At 1:14 he called out and got a response back from Mom, but I have seen her since the nest exchange at 12:43.
Sheryl
Hey Wing,
We certainly do appreciate the frequent updates. Things seem to be in our favor here. Based on the fact that the eagles are still occupying the nest and their behavior is a good indication for the future. I hope. Are all the "flyovers" that are being mentioned being conducted by BRI?
Watching this morning, I really think there is a new egg in the nest. Their movements and settling have been so much more careful then in previous days.
I need to set up another computer so I can watch the nest AND work at the same time ;-)
They have been in the nest almost constantly in the past few days as opposed to the past couple of weeks when we saw many extended periods of empty nest. God willing they were mating off screen more than they were on screen. I've noticed a lot of nest grooming but not much being brought in by anyone. I've personally watched two mating attempts and the eagle in the nest today is sitting very high up on the nest. Maybe just in a differet area of the nest but high up all the same.
Been watching since 1:04 This is Dad as he was screeching in his hoarse way at 1:14 and it is now 1:45.
Thanks for letting us be "part" of the club. I am more hopeful than before because it seems the eagles didn't get the memo and continue to do the brood boogie!
I gather that they would not do this for practise.
Reference yesterdays visitor: Old footage indicates that a golden eagle would have feathers all the way down to talons and our eagles do not.Yesterdays review shows that this was not a golden...
Annie
1:53 Pm Eastern time. She is deffinetely sitting higher in the nest than I have seen her for the past month. I have only noticed what appears to be turning the eggs one time this afternoon. That was about 12:30 or so. Patty
Hi, she(?) sure does seemed to acting different today. Her backend is up pretty high and she has been shuffling around quite a bit..keep coming back every little bit to see what's happening. Fingers crossed!!!!!
I have been watching on and off today and have observed the "egg rolling" behavior several times. I also observed one parent calling out and flying off the nest, with the same or another flying back within seconds, around 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM EDT timeframe. Possible nest exchange?
Could the reason she's sitting so high be because she has an egg that needs dropping? I've never seen her sit like this but it reminds me of when I was pregnant and had to sit lop sided because my 8 pound baby was pressing down and making it uncomfortable to sit normal like. Just wondering....
4-11-07 14:08PM (EDT)
Male on nest just turned egg(s)
Egg rolling observed at 2:07 PM EDT. Here's hoping!!
2:07 pm est. Nestbowl activity
by Dad. I don't know if we should
call it egg turning since we have
no idea whether there is a new egg,
so I'll just call it nestbowl
activity.
At 2:07 PM today she was up and appeared to be rolling the egg. Then she got herself all nice and cozy over it again, moving her tailfeathers back and forth to fit right in.
4/11/07 14:07 hrs:
Another "egg roll" adjustment done in the nest. Last one I saw occurred at 13:12.
Sheryl
******
2:08 Still Dad, Just did the egg roll boogie!!!!Head in the nest and a gentle shake of the tail feathers while turning to right.
Annie
2:07 PM. EST. Whoever is on the nest now has just done another egg turning and has settled down again with the back end sitting higher than the past several weeks. Before they seemed to be laying on the bowl but now they are sitting up higher. Any idea why? An egg maybe? Keep us posted Wing. Your updates are so encouraging to me. Patty
Hello all: At 2:06pm she appeared to be repositioning herself. This was followed by her "picking" at something out of sight in the nest for a few seconds.
more egg rolling 1:05 cst
donna
3-11-07 2:08 PM
The male is on the nest. He gets up and appears to be turning the egg for quite some time, then gently rocks back and forth as he lies back down with back of body high on the nest.
At 1:07 pm Central Time (2:07 Eastern Time) the eagle once again got up and tended the nest. In doing so, the eagle also rotated her own position. After settling down, she kept her head down, below the view of the camera, for about 20 seconds.
Louise
2:07pm Eagle got up and seemed to be adjusting something in the nest. Turned around and gingerly settled back down. Took less than a minute. I agree that he/she is sitting much higher than before, with rear end raised up higher.
I just want to say how much I enjoy this site and am so glad I stumbled upon it. It's nice to know there are other people who enjoy the same things I do. :)
4/11/07 ... 2:12pm
At 12:43pm Mom was on the nest. Dad arrived, they chatted and Mom left. Dad immediately settled into the nest and seemed to "roll and tuck" in the process.
At 2:07pm Dad got up and did the "roll" action in the nest and repositioned.
I just observed some rather strange movement. After being quite high in the nest for some time, it appeared she was adjusting an egg. Actually, it looked alot like the video of the egg she laid on 3-7. She changed direction in the nest, and had her head down quite a bit. Now she seems more settled. It is about 2:10 pm.
2:07... the eagle raised and looked like she/he re-positioned an egg.
At 1:10pm a plane flew over, didn't bother her at all.
At 2:00pm she called out to her mate and got a response.
I saw her in the nest several times last night but didn't note the times.
Kent
I'm with Cindy! I need another computer! I'm totally addicted! I obseved the same thing this afternoon. At 1:11 P.M. I heard a plane, she adjusted herself, Mom & Dad talked back and forth for a bit, then she (or he, I can't tell them apart yet) sat with her rear end up in the air for quite awhile.
Patti in PA
04/11/07 once again the eagle looked like he was turning the eggs, this was about 2:08PM.
Then he/she did the wiggle and settled down once more. I know there is an egg in the nest.
Also, and I don't know how much this would help in observing but it seems worth mentioning that around 12:30pm eagle time on the 10th I watched eagle in the nest tuck it's head in and sleep for awhile. Very rarely have I seen one of them sleeping during the day. Maybe mating, and possible egg making is tiring the parents out. The one in the nest slept like this for awhile even when you could hear other birds in the area making a lot of noise....by the way my two year old screams to see her "bird" whenever I am near the computer.:^)
More egg tending behaviour at 2:08pm. Poking around the nest and raising the back end high to settle back down.
I just watched what appeared to be tending of an egg, perhaps even a brand new one. She was very high in the nest for a bit, with her head down, then tended what was under her, moved direction a bit, and settled. This was about 2:10 p.m. 4-11-07
Hello to all.........
As I have a problem sleeping, I am up and observing the eagles many times during the night. Almost hourly! There always is an eagle (Mom) on the nest usually with her head tucked under her wing in her natural sleeping mode. She shifts around periodically and rolls the eggs or whatever she thinks she is rolling. She has never stopped doing this and I have not missed a night checking in on her. She has endured the worst of storms and am afraid she has another one to endure tomorrow night. She is the greatest of moms or wannabe moms. We could all take lessons from her. I do not understand their mating, if they do, indeed, still have viable eggs in the nest. Is this a regular practice for them? This has been a learning experience for all of us and continues to be. Once again, thanks for all the info so many bird watchers have given and most of all, thank you Wing and BRI for making it all possible. You will have my continual support.
Anna
Today's behavior is so different then what it's been in the past week. Before they were so full of energy I thought I'd burst. Today though it seems like the eagle in the nest is tired and would just like to nap. Maybe we missed an egg drop somewhere in the past 24 hours. Not sure how that could happen with so many people watching :^) But it seems possible to me. They've been so active that today seems so very slow to me in eagle land.....
4/11/07 2:28pm
Well, it looks like a great number of us witnessed the 2:07 EDT nest tending/activity - and had the same thoughts about it!
Right now the parent in the nest (I'm assuming male) certainly is sitting with his tail on the higher side. MAJOR wind gust as a chickadee calls to his or her mate in the background. That eagle doesn't look like it's going anywhere though!
One slightly off topic question to those who are able to make video copies of the live feed... what are you using to record the live feed? I can get screen captures of it - stills... but interested in what you're using to record the video off the web.
Anyway, here's to second chances -thanks to dedication and determination!
I love how optimistic everyone is. I feel the same way.I just know there has to be another egg in there!!!
When will we hear what the plane saw? Also can anyone tell me just how you can tell the difference between Mom & Dad? Thanks!!
Evelyn
2:40pm...roll action by Dad
2:40 EST - just saw egg rolling behavior again. Stood up in the nest and was pushing something around. The gingerly sat down again.
1440 4/11/07*********
Still Dad in the nest and the same egg roll boogie behavior was displayed again.
Annie
4-11-07 14:40 (EDT)
Male raised up and eyed the nest bowl a few moments, used beak (peck?) and then turned egg(s).
3-11-07 (2:38 EST)
Eagle gets up and stares down looking intently into the nest bowl for a few minutes, then appears to be pecking at something underneath; finally settles back down gently.
2:39 pm
bird on nest stood up, ruffled around and sat back down.
2:40pm back up with head deep in the nest then resettling.
2:40
Got up and nudged something around in the nest... settled in- eating maybe, back to the camera, can't tell. I'm so excited I could pee!
Did she just lay another egg? Looked like it, at about 2:38 PM...
4-11-07 1:50 PM
Tracey in Houston....
The eagle in the nest tucked its head down low and made a "rolling" move with it's head then Gently positioned itself with the tail wagging boogie woogie dance.
Could it be? Just could it be?
4/11/07 @ 2:39pm
Eagle gets up a little, looks down into the nest bowl, backs up some, starts poking at something in the nest bowl, lays back down, continues to peck at something. Now looking away from the camera toward the water. Activity ends at 2:42pm.
p.s. What a beautiful day; water is bright blue; sunny. An omen of things to come?
I oberved the eagle at 11:00 thursday morning doing the rolling of the egg thing. I watch them most of the day and I have noticed that one has been on the nest at all times. She seems more content today and I have also noticed she is keeping her backside up some.
4/11/07 2:21 PM.... Just observed the eagle rise up and put head down into nestbowl. It did look like the bird was possibly moving an egg, but I guess only time will tell.... One can only hope. After very gingerly repositioning back onto the nest with back end high, the eagle continued to pick at the edge of the nest for the next 2 to 3 minutes.
2:39pm Eagle got up and stared intently down into the nest for several seconds, pecked at something, picking it's head up and down a few times-different than what I saw earlier- and then settled gingerly back down. Then he/she picked at something in the nest, maybe eating something? Still sitting very high.
1:40pm CST
There was some egg rolling behavior at this time.
4/11/07 14:40 EDT:
Another "egg roll" looks to have occured. I have seen the same actions at 13:12, 14:07 and now at 14:40.
Sheryl
3-11-07 (2:56 EDT)
Eagle again gets up and stares intently into the nest bowl, then rocks back down gently.
2:55 he was up and readjusting again......she's right there somewhere
4-11-07 14:57 (EDT)
Dad peering down again - Mom nearby calling and Dad answers. He turns egg again and gently settles back down.
Vocalized and then turned egg at 2:25 EST. My sound is off, so I couldn't hear if the call was returned.
4/11/07...2:56pm
Mom came by the nest to "check-in"
They chatted, she left. Dad got up and rolled again...
3-11-07 (2:58 EDT)
Again...male raises up and is very intently staring down into the nest bowl, then uses beak to peck (?). Could this be hatching eggs??? Something has his focused attention in the nest.
4-11-047 15:01 (EDT)
Again he rises to peer at nest bowl - (2:59PM)could something be hatching? Mom calls to ask about it. He turns his body so the brood patch is directly over the egg and keeps his back up.
4/11 2:55 - 2:58 Just saw egg rolling behavior again. Changed position this time facing the front of the nest with backend toward the camera.
2:55 to 2:58pm: Something is going on! Eagle keeps getting up, staring down intently at the nest for up to a minute and settling back down. Twice now in less than five minutes.
It seemed like she was panting for a few minutes just before she got up- her beak was just slightly open. I don't have sound but it didn't look like her beak was open wide enough for her to be making noise.
2:57 PM EDT eagle on nest did another roll but this time seems to be pecking more at the nest than usual and is still stilling higher. I think I missed a nest exchange as it looks like the mom on the nest now and last time I looked it seemed more like dad. Keep us posted Wing. Thaks for all your imput. Patty
Okay, I'm addicted, I admit it. 2:57 I think it's the male... he sounds hoarse. He cried out a little, then gets up, looks into the nest, settles back in... then he's looking at something. It looks almost like there's something moving around in there... could it be prey moving around in there? He looks like he's got his eyes on something moving around in front, almost under him. He settles back in with butt to the camera.
Another "egg rolling" (positive thinking) or nest adjustment observed at 2:55 PM EDT by male (the one with the weak cry). He cried out and shortly after stood and adjusted the nest. This is so exciting :-) And I. like another blogger, need a second computerto get work done too!
300 Looks like some nesting activity, possible egg roll. Still have hope.
1:55pm CST
some talking from both then Dad?
stood up with his tail low and back straight and his head was up but bowed.
1:56 rolling and picking
1:57 more talk
1:58 standing with back straight and head up and bowed then moved to present position at 2pm CST
2:55 pm EDT
Lots of vocalization from Eagle on nest. Then @ 2:58 s/he stood up and looked down at the bottom of the bowl, almost with a surprised "What's this?" look - I took screenshots, but have no idea how to post them. I will gladly email them to anyone who can take care of that. wlangelier at rivier.edu
4/11/07--2:54pm
Eagle in the nest begins to squawk, then stops. 2:55pm - gets up again, looks down into the nest bowl for about 10 seconds, backs up, pokes at something in the nest bowl, looks down some more; pecks a few more times, repositions, does the tail in the air wiggle, sits back deown. 3:01pm all is well.
Is there another eagle in the nest?! There seems to be what looks like feathers in the right bottom corner of the cam. (No screen capture available.)
3:00p.m. the eagle raised up and looked into the nest for a bit and then rotated something and settled beack in facing away from camera. At around the same time mate called but the one on the nest didn't answer.
at 1:54pm CDST mate called out and she replied. Then at 1:56pm she tidied the nest, then at 1:59pm she tided the nest again and turned around her tail toward the camera. Wind got very blustery too.
eagle on nest with beak slightly parted, not making noise... looks to be breathing shallowly. Rearend towards camera.
Maura in Maine
p.s. to anyone, when the eagle is on the nest, how can we tell mom & dad apart?? :o)
Sorry earlier I wrote and I put Thursday but I meant Wednesday-Sorry
4/11/07...3:20pm
Dad left the nest. Now empty.
Attention given by male to bottom of nest bowl on April 11.
Time: 2:40 p.m.
Video: http://judykb.org/meapr11240pm.asf
Time: 2:56 p.m.
Video: http://judykb.org/meapril11256pm.asf
Dad back at 3:22pm... nestled back in.
Greetings all!
Another thing to look for is quick nest exchanges.
Wing, BRI
This comment has been removed by the author.
3:20 EST - Next exchange? Bird left nest for a minute then a bird returned to the nest. Returning bird sat down gingerly in the nest - looking down.
3:22pm EST - Eagle landed~ flew in, nestled down on nest, slightly chattering. Facing camera - he'she's a beauty~
maura in maine
1518 Wednesday**************
This is still Dad on the nest. He did that hoarse screech thing and then got up and peered into the bowl...The strong voice could be heard overhead.
I need a second putor too.This is just fascinating. Dad left and just returned after 1 minute, could tell by the "limp".He is still smoother and neater looking than Mom even with his limp. Her tail feathers stick up in a funny way.
Annie
Believe it was the male (limp on left) who left the nest at about 2:18pm (Central time) and returned in approx. 3-4 minutes. He then looked like he was turning an egg.
A couple things: at 2:58 & again at 3:00pm the eagle was sitting upright and staring intently down into the nest. At 3:22 the eagle flew off the nest to return one minute later. Now, I have a hard time telling male from female so I can't say for sure whether or not it is the same bird. Quite an exciting day. Cheers, Holly
3:20 EDT eagle flew off nest and came back at 3:22 Settled in very carefully.
2:20pm CST Dad flew away and someone came back at 2:22 and did another short egg roll.Dad limps and his beak looks longer and darker at the end.This looks like Mom to Me.
She's doing the egg roll shuffle. At 3:30.
3:30pm dad rolled egg
When Mom arrived after nest exchange she seemed to be aware of something in the nest. As I type I watch her looking down and adjusting the egg/nest.
3:28 p.m 4/11 Eagle seems to be rolling egg.
Has anyone else noticed that this nest has not been empty at all today....as compared to the way its been lately!
Heather in Mi
4/11 2:30pm CDT
Wing -- Dad just did some egg rolling. I have been also watching the nest in Virginia with 3 babies. The oldest was born on Mar.10 and it took 38 days for incubation. I'm not giving up on our first egg-laying until this weekend.
What is going on in that nest? Something,that is for sure. Lots of pecking, wiggling, rolling, etc.
Yes, eagle did leave the nest for just over a minute from 3:20-3:21 EDT. Came back, landed, did the side to side shuffle over the nest. This side to side shuffle continued every minute for 5-6 seconds for the next 6 minutes whereby he/she stood up and appeared to repostion, roll, or adjust something in the nest below.
3:20pm: very quick nest exchange, about one minute. He or she readjusts five or six times in about 10 minutes-without actually getting up-just wiggling around alot.
3:29pm: eagle gets up twice in quick sucession to readjust, pokes head in nest. Sits down and rearranges nest around him, picking up twigs and such and moving them around..
I wish I had sound!
2:29 rolling and picking
I wonder if Dad is sitting higher in the rear because of his injury.
Why the open mouth?
Why am I being fired????
1548 This is still Dad...He has adjusted himself several times after landing. I love how the eagle cocks the head and peers up.Where do you think the other eagles goes? Maybe watching close by? Is there any chance that the egg/s are going to be okay? We are also scheduled for another BIG Spring storm for Thursday...
Annie
Greetings!
The bird is sitting with its bill open because it is panting and hot.
Wing, BRI
:o) He better enjoy being hot and panting today because tomorrow we are back into winter again and snow. YUK!!!
4-11-07 15:58 (EDT)
I stand corrected - voice is Dad back in the nest.
Hi Wing!
Could you please tell us exactly how to tell who is Mom and who is Dad???
Thank You,
I love this!!!
Other eagle very close to nest. Heated conversation between the two @ 4:04 eastern time on Wednesday.
Believe it or not it is lovely and warm in the sun here in Hancock County. I expect that in the sun, and sitting so snugly on that nest, that the eagles are quite warm. Cold rain predicted for tomorrow daytime; chance of snow mixed with rain in the evening. But it's not going to compare to the weather we had when this pair began incubating their eggs the first of March.
3:30pm 4/11
The eagle just got up and seemed to move or adjust something in the nest. Then she sat down and kept her wings more spread out than before. Is she trying to keep more warmth in the nest?
4/11/07...4:09pm
Dad off the nest and now Mom on.
Definate tucking action and now the "wiggle".
3:08pm CST Mom left nest,there was much vocalizing
3:09 she is back and nestled inby 3:10
4:09pm EDT ~ definitely rearranging things in the nest, then settled back down.
******1609 Nest exchange. Mom called out Dad responded and left the nest. Mom landed at 1610 (no limp, kinda scruffy feathers), stepped around the nest bowl and settled in...
Also she is not panting like Dad was-sun is hot 70 in strait sunshine here (NH).
Annie
4-11-07 16:13 (EDT)
32seconds for nest exchange.
16:10:32 - 16:11:04
I believe the crows cries caused this quicker exchange.
Very vocal nest exchange (I think Dad left and the Mom returned) between 4:05 PM and 4:10 PM. Nest unattended for less than a minute if that long.
It is 3:11 here in Chicago and the mom and pop were calling out to each other. Mom left for less than a minute came back, settled back into the nest with her tail facing the camera. So neat to watch as she rocked back and forth in the nest.
4:09 quick nest exchange lasting 1 minute. Fusses a little... swear I saw a real "roll" with the beak. Futzes a little more with the nest and then settles in and is calm.
I have been watching this nest daily for weeks while I study. This is the first day I have seen this much activity in the nest as far as nest exchange and moving something about in the nest. I this common prior to eggs hatching??
I just read your comment Wing. Hot? I live in IN and today it is 28 with rain, snow and wind. Looks a lot better in Maine. At least it is sunny. what do you think is going on? Another attempt at nesting. I have heard the planes 2 times today but both times an eagle was on the nest. Keep us updated. I hate to think we are just watching a show here. Do you think they are putting on an act for the camera? HA. Thanks for the updates. pp
Lots of vocalizing then left nest at 3:08pm (central) returned 3:09pm
1:11pm az. 4/11/07
I just observed a nest exchange.. Dad eagle flew off and Mom came in. She was putting her head way down in the nest and looked as if she was moving something about. Then settled down and rocked back and forth a few times before being quiet.
Hey Wing ... I appreciate your writings and am glad to have some expert news. My observations:
2:59 EST Egg roll action ..
3:20 EST Bird leaves nest
3:21 EST Bird returns
3:29 EST Egg roll action
3:55 EST Fussing/Calling
4:08 EST Bird out of nest
4:09 EST Another bird in the nest
I'm thinking ... boy wish I knew how to record the live feed! :-)
TT
At about 4:15 PM an eagle (female, I think) returened to the nest and did what looked like egg tending. Beak down, moved something (?) and settled gingerly in.
Len
4:08 P.M. very quick nest exchange - lots of talking back and forth. I think I'm beginning to be able to tell them apart by their voices.
Patti in PA
4/11/07
4:20pm ET
HOW TO TELL MOM / DAD APART
I still have trouble myself at times, but I'll give it a try to help out.
SIZE. Mom is noticeably larger than Dad. This is the easiest way to tell them apart. However, this doesn't help most of the time, as they're not in sight together most of the time. So...
WHITE HEAD - Dad's white head is more smooth, almost like it's slicked back. Mom's white feathers are more unkept, usually almost a slight fluffy appearance to them. To me, if she is looking directly at the camera, the top of her head seems flatter in appearance also.
INVERTED V - Dad's white feathers form an inverted "V" where the white feathers meet his upper chest. However, if Mom's White Head is a real mess, she sometimes gets the inverted "V" too. Dad always seems to have it.
BEAK - Dad's beak appears to be longer and Mom's seems to be shorter. To me, her beak also seems to be broader heightwise (does that make sense?).
Not sure, if this is entirely accurate, Wing / fellow bloggers... please correct me if needed. But it seems to help me most of the time.
Hope this helps!! :-)
4:09pm ET - Nest Exchange. There was chattering between Dad (in nest) and Mom flying nearby. Dad flew off, there was more chattering, then Mom came in to nest (probably within 30 seconds or so).
How to tell who's who...
If you see the eagles together it is easy to tell them apart. Mom is ALOT bigger than Dad. Otherwise I can tell Dad by his "limp" entering and exiting the nest and by his voice. There's a big difference between their voices/calls.
04/11/07
4:11PM
Eagle on nest with wide open beak most of the time. I watched only between 4:00 and 4:10pm.
He/she made a heck of a racket screaming, and then calling more quietly. He was answered by the other eagle who was very close by, and very loud. The nest sitter flew off, and we got an earful of screeching and carrying on. Off-camera unfortunately. Then he/she came back. Did not rotate the eggs this time, but did settle in. Don't they always rotate the eggs when after the changing of the guards? Lotte
April 11th...
At 3:56 PM Eastern time, much vocalization between Dad in nest (I think..is hoarse) and Mom (off camera) that was followed by a nest exchange. Nest empty for only seconds. The pair is being much more attentive to nest responsibilities then they were last week. There has got to be something in that nest!
Chris
4-11-07 4:36 p.m. Seems like something happening in the nest, eagle keeps lifting self up a lil bit and staring down into nest bowl?? Are we maybe having our babies?? lol This is so exciting, been sitting on edge of chair for few days now. As I'm typing this its looking into nest again!!! at 4:38 Wendy from Maine
3-11-07 (4:36 to 4:39 EDT)
Very odd behavior...the eagle is staring down, and then appears to be eating something?? Then continues to stare down for quite a while. There has to be something going on in that nest!
California Kid Observences
These are Pacific coast times;
10:52 am sitting on nest facing left preening and tidying up around himself and nest
11;06 am Stood and seemed to adjust egg and changed position on nest setting down quite gently facing right side of nest. Tidying up around nest
11:50 am Must be getting hot breathing with beak open as is in full sun
11:54 am calling out and call returned. Shifted position and standing peering into bottom of nest but settled carefully back down and tidied up around
11:57 am Stood and peering into bottom of nest once again called out and seemed to shield nest with wings. Settled down facing away from camera
12:03 pm Calling out
12:19 pm stood and left the nest silently. Looked like it was dad with the bad talon
12:21 pm eagle returned to nest and calling out as settled in carefully over egg. Sitting facing the camera as it stood and resettled down carefully
12:29 pm Can’t seem to settle comfortable as is still positioning self. Raises up and readjusted and settles back down facing the right of nest
12:55 Calling out and breathing with mouth open again Must be hot in full sun
12:59 pm Calling out
1:03 pm Calling out and mate answering close by
1:06 pm Calling out
1:08 pm stood and silently left the nest calling when in the air. New sitter arrived and rolled the egg and fluffed out feathers as it gently settles in nest. Tidying up around the edges.
1:25 pm appears to be sitting with wings spread out some to possibly help cooling itself. Still breathing with the beak open
1:35 pm peering intently into bottom of nest though still seated preening feathers and poking about nest edge.
This is all very different behavior that what we have been seeing over the last several days. Did notice last evening at dusk they seemed to mate while one was on the nest it was mounted by the other.
A. D.
4-11 4:44 EDT A lot more nest grooming or what ever today. Mom is pecking and appears to be eating something from the nest. A food drop from Dad maybe? Still sitting higher on the nest. I need 2 computers as everytime I stop watching to read the blog there seems to be a nest change. There is a lot more activity today at the nest site. pp
4:44 fussing around with the bottom of the nest. Settles back in, then back off, then another real roll with neck outstreched. Settles back in rocking back and forth. Fusses with nest material, rocks again, fusses with nesting material some more- rocking back and forth, fusses with nesting material more, still fussing... calm. Event ends at 4:47
P.S. If you shrink your work window and keep the eagles on the right and work with a smaller window on the left you can kinda do both things... :)
4:45--just observed the eagle raised up, "tidying" the nest, moving things around with her beak (including underneath her); carefully and slowly lowering back onto the nest with her hind end higher than her front.
1:47 pm pst 4/11
sitting on nest, beak open, kinda windy, clear day
4:45 Eastern April 11
What an incredible journey!!! Thank you.
Mom(?) cleaning house and checking underneath her and moving twigs...
I can't wait until Wing and Co. can make some determinations as to what these lovely creatures are doing. The suspense is unbearable.
I too enjoy the friendship of sorts that we have formed in our affection for these eagles. I can hardly wait to check in during the day.
As always, thank you to everyone who posts and to Wing and Bri.
Lisa in Maine
Hello from Wisconsin. At about 3:40 CST I saw the eagle raise up, lower her/his head, move from side to side while adjusting the material in the nest. She/he did this for several minutes before settling down on the nest again.
I am unable to watch the eagle nest during the day because I work but the first thing I do when I get home is check the cam and read the blog. The one thing I've noticed about todays postings is no one mentioned the nest being empty for long periods of time like it was last week. I'm looking at that as a positive thing. It tells me they don't want to leave an egg unattended for any length of time.
To the person who can't tell the difference between the male and the female. The female is slightly larger and her head feathers are more "fluffed out" where the male head feathers looked "slicked" down and smoother.
I observed at 4:45 PM eastern time what could've been an egg roll.
This morning at 9:58 dad left nest. Less than a minute later mom flew in -settled down, got up-looked like she moved something around under her. Settled in, rocked back and forth sideways a few times {looked different to me than her usual way}. At 10:27 repositioned herself. Seemed to wriggle a lot while nesting till about 10:52. Around 11:10 sat up a little higher on the nest. Around 11:12 checked underneath her again-could not quite get comfortable. Finally nestled in a little higher than usual. Could hear plane off at distance. Love this sight and these beautiful eagles here in Maine. April 11 {may delete if this is repeat}.
3-11-07 (5:11 EDT)
Eagle is eating something again from within the bowl, and keeps peering down intently.
I wonder if the biologists know what might be going on??
4-11-07 17:25 (EDT)
Mom sits with her chest slightly raised off the nest. At time she listens, then looks beneath her.
Here's hoping my next blog will be to tell of the fish Dad brings to the nest! :-)
For those who keep asking how to tell them apart, let's see if I can help you out. I kept hoping that Wing, or Will, from over at the forum, would be the ones to tell you because that's how I learned the difference. For one thing, the female is bigger than dad. Also Will describes the difference in the heads as if you picture a cucumber, the males head is like the smaller end of the cucumber and moms head is the wider end of the cucumber and mom has the shorter bill or beak. Dad also has a bad left talon and limps, when he lays on the nest his left wing is higher than the right. I forgot, the back of mom's head looks like she is having a bad hair day....feathers never smooth like dad's. No time for primping.
Hope this helps you to tell the difference, it helped me a lot.
This is very curious how they keep looking into the nest the way they have been today, like there is something there. Suppose there is a miracle about to happen? LOL
Dog barking in the distance but doesn't really bother mom much.
5:25 PM Wed.
eagle appeared to be adjusting an egg at about 5:15pm today. are we going to be lucky?????
4:45 pm CDT
Appears that eagle did another egg roll. Turned and resettled on nest.
5:45 pm Maine time!
Mom is being observed doing the nest egg wiggle (or what I would call it anyways) Got up, turned, pecked into the nest, moved some unseen things, then did the turn around, and wiggle on down. She is about 180 degrees turned from when the pecking and such started to happen.
I am so excited!
2a;48pm, az 4/11
I have watched mama eagle watching the area and screeching in her high pitch. Then she got up with head down facing the cam and was rolling something down in the nest. Turned a little toward the water and did the boogie and settled down facing the water.
4:45 PM CDT
Appears that eagle did another egg tending routine. Eagle then repositioned and gently sat down on eggs in new position.
4/11/07 5:46pm EST
Sounded like maybe a plane flew over again at 5:44pm, but I'm not sure. Heard a motor, and mom in nest looked upward.... called out a few times afterward, and then shew was rearranging some of the sticks at the side of the nest in front of her - sort of tending house. She was vocal for a bit, but now is quiet as she looks out at the ocean....
9/11/07 5:30 Mom on nest squaking a bit. She then got up, picked at the bowl of the nest OR was rolling eggs? Sat back down in the bowl facing the water this time. THEN, as I have not seen this action....she started rocking side to side???? left to right She changed postions facing left and assumed incubating position. At 5:45 she seemed to be up a bit higher on the nest bowl and was shifting weight like from left foot to right foot a couple times. She is still in a high sort of position and picking at the nest sides. 6:00PM now
04/11/07
5:48PM
If what I saw a while ago was egg-rotation it was perfunctory, and and very brief, and none too gentle. Sort of "been there, done that". Wow! These are indeed experienced parents.
I think I have several videos of egg rolling. Here is the first. I will post others as I get them uploaded. Paste both lines together to get to video.
http://video.google.com
/videoplay?docid=-1678925858481711234
6.10pm 4/11 Just checked back before I get offline to ask we all pray for our poor Eagles tonight. I am in Ct and ANOTHER storm heading in tonight here and tommorrow. As sunny and nice as it looks right now, our Eagles are in for a rough day tommorrow AGAIN... rain, sleet, snow. :(( Mom appears restless. She keeps changing her position and each time pecking at the sides of the nest and rocking, or wiggling side to side. What she doesn't need is ANOTHER storm??? :((((
Wing, on the 9th you said that we would have a lot of watching to do this week. Boy, were you right. I don't think at that time you meant what we have been watching today. I have never seen so much activity at the nest as there has been today. Keep us posted.
3:14pm az.4/11
Mom has been moving around and rocking motions several times in a very short time. She keeps putting head down into nest and moving things about, so it appears! Once her tail feathers moved up and down three times. She looks as if she is moving things about with her beak in front of her now.
5:06 pm moving something in nest
5:09 pm doing it again
6:10 pm moving something in nest
continuing to pick in nest. Heard dog barking earlier and heard the planes today. Afew minutes later here the planes here too. We have some nests here in Clifton so i am sure they were checking those too.
Patty P
Patty P
6:13pm
Eagle sitting on nest rocking back and forth (side to side) for about 5 sec. then starts pecking at nest bow.
6:15 Same eagle rearranging nest bowl while in a sitting position. This pecking is around the front and both sides very close to its body.
6:17 stopped picking at nest
6:22 sitting quietly.
Sorry I can't tell the male from the female.
3:42pm, 4/11 AZ
More egg rolling behavior.
04/11/07
6:40PM
She got up, looked down, and then what? It looked more like she was hacking at some food rather than rotating eggs. Wish I knew more about this pair of eagles or any eagles for that matter. Maybe as I continue to tune in and watch this pair I will learn a little about what their comings and goings and doings mean.. Or even if she laid an egg at all. Lotte
4/11/07 6:04 (CST)
Hello from Missouri! This is all very new to me. I have only been watching for a couple of weeks since someone sent me the link to this site.
The best way I can tell the mom from the dad at a glance is the heads. Mom has a more squared off head and dad has a more rounded head. I hope this helps newcomers like me.
Go Eagles!
7:15 Maine time 4/11
ARE YOU SURE THERE ARE NO EGGS/BABIES IN THERE??
3:41pm CST pecking and rolling
4:10 rolling
4:34 plane flew over
4:55 sitting with head high and rear low
5:03 nestling back down
5:10 rolling and pecking
5:14 housework
???? sitting with head up and rear low
5:40 rolling again
6:05 adjusting position and very alert
6:08 checking underneath itself ,pecking and rolling
6:11 pooped over side of nest,pecking
6:14 nestled back down with rear low and watching
7:15 Eastern April 11
Mom very intent on doing something underneath her (moving eggs? checking babies?) before settling gently down facing away. Any information gathered on the fly by??
It is 7:17 PM EDT and it looks like dad on the nest. I didn't see the nest exchange. Has dad ever sat on the nest over night. I have observed the mother doing the night nest watch. Can somebody help me out on this?
6:15pm Haven't had time to post...too busy reading posts all day. I, for one, do believe that there's something very different in the nest bowl to cause all the looking, readjusting, constant coverage, picking, pecking, pushing, rolling(?), etc. Only time will tell! The bloggers are going nuts, in a good way, with speculations. I'm really enjoying trying to keep up!
Here are several videos that I think show several examples of egg rolling. Hope I am copying them okay...this is new to me. They are long addresses and to get them to fit in the narrow columns I am having to split them. So paste together to get to the video.
Egg rolling
http://video.google.com
/videoplay?docid=8354698334258028668
Nest exchange and egg rolling
http://video.google.com
/videoplay?docid=-4432892343654482102
Egg rolling and picking at nesting materials
http://video.google.com
/videoplay?docid=5041436240638418216
Nesting behavior - picking at nesting materials recorded Tuesday
http://video.google.com
/videoplay?docid=604063427416854909
Posted earlier and shows 2 egg rolling
http://video.google.com
/videoplay?docid=-1678925858481711234
At approx 7:14 p.m. edt, eagle stood, moved carefully to edge of nest and defecated, then put head into nest bowl a number of times prior to resettling on nest. Eagle clearly does not want to leave nest in order to defecate. Suggests brooding behavior.
Margie in Texas
4/11
4:43 PM Eastern time: Eagle in nest very vocal. ? sound of plane, Eagle looking skyward. 4:44 PM, Eagle changes position, picks up twigs at the side of the nest...housekeeping.
43 degrees and rain in western NY (Buffalo/Niagara Falls), moving to the NE. A low of 38 degrees is predicted here tonight. Hope the snow precip that hit Chicago earlier goes far enough up north to spare our eagles!
Chris
Grand Island, NY
Jane aid,"As I was watching the eagle at 7:15pm this evening, She stood up and was bent over raising up her back end and moving her head as if she was moving something deep in nest. Then she settled back down."
I checked in the past 2 nights, between 8-9pm and she was on nest."
07:11 PM 4/11/07
I just had a thought. Since there is only one egg so far it may not take so long to rotate it or to be as careful as they would be with two or more eggs in the nest.
In my next life I am going to be a pine tree, hosting a pair of Maine eagles and their magnificent, skillfully built aerie.
Changed my mind:
He just pooped. Great aim, though. Right out of the nest and God only knows where.
4/11 I can't help but comment that we haven't seen any blogs with videos from Will in a long time. We'd love to hear from you Will.
7:15pm- I saw her stand bend way over with her head deep into nest, as if moving something around. Then she settled back down. The past few nights she has been on nest.
at 7pm
camera went from color to black and white
last post for the nite.
7:01 pm rocking and rolling in nest.
7:10 pm moving around and
7:44 moved around in nest and looked like moving something under her/him.
I have not seen nest unattended for more than 2 minutes today.
Have a great nite all
Patty P
From 7:30pm to 7:40 pm (Maine time) I observed Mom rocking forward and back in the nest. Not the usual side to side rocking. This was different and she looked down in front of her and picked at something several times as well. She seems on edge and not very comfortable or relaxed in the nest. At 7:41 she got up and moved something around under her then very carefully settled back down and began rocking from side to side and picking at something in front of her again. At 7:43 she got up again and changed positions, settled back down and rocked forward and back some more. Something definitely seems to be going on, I just wish we knew what!
6:41-43 Central Time on 4/11:
Adult standing in half squat and turning body while rocking back and forth and looking underneath while turning. Seems to be settling in for the night.
4/11 6:41-43 Central Time:
Observed adult standing in a half-squat, turning body and rocking back and forth while looking underneath her body. Seems to be settling in for the night.
4/11/07 8:18pm EST
Eagle in nest with head tucked down toward backside of nest - sleeping.
8:15PM
Sitting on the egg, she appears to have the munchiesall of a sudden. But then, eyes wide open she turns, loos down into the nest, does some re-arranging in there,then settles down again. I can't see all that much, but do see and love that open-eyed, alert look.
omorrow could be a stressful day. Snow, maybe heavy.
e
4/11
7:41 PM Eastern Time: Eagle checking out something in nest bowl, does the boogie and settles down into the nest.
8:31 PM Eagle sleeping with her head tucked in toward her body.
8:36 PM Eagle resting quietly. From the radar, it looks like our eagles just might luck out and get rain tomorrow instead of snow...still kind of early to tell. Fingers are crossed that whatever precip they get will be light.
Chris
At 7:47 pm Getting dark and hard to see, but I saw a lot of her(?) head going up and down, fussing with the nest, looking up, looking down, up... she repositioned herself, swayed back and forth, and then settled into the nest.
At 8:35 and 8:52 I saw the nest was occupied.
Just after 9:00 pm EDT and it would appear that someone is sleeping comfortably on the nest, head tucked back under a wing.
At 9:20 PM Eastern time, the eagle on the nest got up and appeared to be turning an egg and tidying up.
What does everyone think?
How exciting! I will continue to watch and record times.
Krumm
I know this sounds crazy but the last three times that Mom has gotten up and done whatever she is doing underneath her I have heard faint "cheeping" sounds. Has anyone else noticed this or is my sound and/or imagination just way off?? I just heard it again at 9:22 pm.
(9:25) seem to be snuggled in for the night. Whoever is on the nest now has the head down and appears to be sleeping. Good sign I take it.
At 9:20 and about 9:27 PM EST she seemed to be rearranging egg.
Just before dark she seemed to mostly be sitting very quietly but once in awhile would slightly arch her back. Do eagles have contractions before laying eggs? It certainly wasn't enough to be laying an egg....but could she be preparing?
At 9:27 PM Eastern, the eagle in the nest was up and moving again. It was reaching up under itself and adjusting. Adjusting what I am unsure. Lots of movement!
Krumm
Around 8:10 p.m. April 11, two people in our forum heard the following bird sound that is on this video and now at 9:24 p.m. we are hearing it again. Could it be a chick?
http://judykb.org/meapr11811.asf
Hello from Alaska...I started watching at 8:50 p.m. EST and saw an eagle (her?) sleeping. At 9:30 p.m. EST it looked like she (?) woke up and what it appeared to me was rotating an egg.
Hello from Alaska..at 8:50 pm EST I saw her (?) sleeping. At 9:30 pm EST it looked to me like she was rotating an egg. Back to sleep moments later.
At 10:03 PM Eastern time, the eagle made some of the same motions again. Adjusting/turning. Very active. A bit before something made a very loud noise. (bird maybe) The eagle was very alert, but after a minute, yawned and went back to the business of nesting.
04/11/07
10:10PM
Checked at 9:00PM and 10:07. She is still on the nest. She'll be there all night I am sure.
It's very windy tonight.
4/11/07
9:50 p.m. Maine time. Eagle on nest. No movement for a while. 9:56 p.m. hear screeching that sounds like an owl. (Real enough for the sleeping collie to get up and come over to the computer to check it out before going back to bed.) Eagle wakes up and a couple seconds later, yawns. (looked like it to me). Back to sleep. Awake again at 10:03 p.m. Hear bird sounds again at 10:09 p.m. but not the same as the earlier bird sounds. Eagle not affected by the sounds. Wind blowing pretty good.
10:30 p.m. no movement for a while.
Janet in Maine
4/11/07 10:32pm EST
Eagle still sleeping soundly in the nest...
10:34 PM Eastern-Up and moving again. Adjusting/rolling. Bald eagle boogie!
Krumm
Wed 10:15 pm EDT
eagle on nest 10:15, sleeping.
10:34 pm egg rolling - looks down, moves head up & down, tail feathers & butt up in air, boogies back & forth, settles back down. then quiet again.
Here is a video of another eagle's nest, in a very warm place, where you can see the eagle rolling the eggs. It appears to be the same movements we are seeing now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh0Ui6zaAis
Eagle on the nest at 11 pm .
4/11/07
I think I saw the mother eagle taking care of an egg at about 8:15, 9:15 and 10:15 pm. Similar behavior each time. Twice she was roused by a night bird calling out and then she would tend to the egg......if there really is one!
4/11
9:21 PM Eastern time: Mom gets up from her nap, is pecking at inside of nest bowl.
9:23 Wiggling from side to side and then down into nest bowl.
9:24 Resting with head tucked toward her body. Quite breezy this evening.
9:26 Up again. Pecking at inside of nest bowl.Does her waddle and eases down into the nest.
9:40 Eagle Sleeping.
9:56 PM Chattering from outside of the nest out of the camera's view. Mom unconcerned in the nest.
10:10 PM More chattering from outside of the nest. Mom on nest continuing to be unconcerned.
11:06 PM Mom sleeping.
4/12/07 12:24 AM Has moved position in nest. Now facing water.
Good night! More Eagle Watching Later!
Chris
Grand Island, NY
12:33 AM EDT - eagle still in nest - seemed to rock slightly back and forth for a bit, but now is sleeping quietly.
12:18am He/she rocking from side to side.
12:28 rocking again from side to side and 1 minute later raised tail up and rocked side to side again.
It is 1:20 AM Eastern and the eagle has stayed in place since my last recorded time.
Insomnia and a Dallas Stars hockey game in overtime may help light night/early morning observation.
Go Stars!
Krumm
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