March 28, 2005
Eaglet Changes
First, we want to give an update on the cam: As we mentioned a week ago, we are working with an eagle expert from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to evaluate whether or not anything can be done to safely reposition the cam since it was accidentally pushed down a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, the rain and thunder in the last couple days has delayed any resolution to the problem, so we're still working on it at this time. Thanks for your patience.
Based on the wonderful photos sent in by our cam watchers, we can see that the eaglets' bodies are rapidly changing. Some of the most notable differences that we've seen in the last three weeks include the following:
- Yellow Feet -- the eaglets' feet are becoming noticeably larger and more yellow like the adults
- Sharper Beaks -- the eaglets' beaks are becoming bigger and sharper as they approach the time when they'll be able to tear off food by themselves
- Grayish Down -- the chicks fluffy, light-colored down is now being replaced with a thick darkish-gray, woolly down (also notice the growing tail in the photo)
- Moving Wings -- while we don't have a photo of wing movement, our cam technician said that when you watch the eaglets on the video monitor at the Refuge, you can see some small wing flapping as the eaglets slowly discover that those awkward appendages might actually be useful one day.
Thanks to all our cam watchers who watch the nests and take the time to send in their photos. Your efforts are what make our Galleries such a valuable resource.
Until next time,
Lisa - webmaster