This week I’m sharing a story about bald eagles that I spotted quite by accident while out kayaking a couple of weeks ago.
I was out on the lake early and as I paddled out I spotted one eagle high up in a spruce tree. It was coincidence that I spotted them as one is quite low to the ground in a kayak and the eagle was very nearly at the top of the tree. I spent a few hours bird watching from my boat and trying my hand at fishing. I caught one small but feisty pike.
After a few hours I was on my way back to the parking area and saw what I thought was the same bird flying over me with a giant fish. I was a little jealous that I hadn’t caught such a lovely and edible fish. The bird passed the other eagle and landed on the far side of a nest that I hadn’t noticed earlier. I grabbed my binoculars and spotted a second bird in the nest. As I paddled closer a third head popped up. Four eagles! Two adults and two in the nest. I don’t know much about eagles or their life cycles so I did a bit of research and this is what I learned.
Bald eagles typically lay between 1 and 3 eggs. They incubate their eggs for about 35 days. They begin incubation as soon as the first egg is laid. The second egg usually appears within 36 to 72 hours after the first. Occasionally a clutch of 3 eggs will be produced. Four-egg clutches have been documented but are rare.
Eaglets leave the nest around 10-12 weeks of age though fledglings often stay around “learning from their parents and honing their flying and feeding skills for another 1-2 months.
And now for some fun facts. Eagles can fly up to 50kph and can dive at speeds up to 160kph!
Bald eagles develop the characteristic white head and tail feathers by 4-6 years of age.
Eagles live can 30 years or more in the wild.
Male bald eagles are smaller than females.
And that’s what I have to share with you this week. I hope you enjoyed the images and learning a little more about bald eagles.