4-18-2025 More Exciting Days

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The first fresh fish didn't arrive for the chicks on Friday until just before lunch time. In the meantime, the overcast morning began with Sunny casting out a good-sized pellet, likely from the duck that Dad brought in for breakfast the day before. Bald eagles can digest small bones, but not fur, feathers or nesting materials.

Both chicks were now wide awake and Jackie fed them a small dried up snack she could scrounge up near the pantry. As they patiently waited for a full fresh fish breakfast to arrive, Gizmo also cast a pellet. Both chicks were busy doing some exciting wing flapping work, trying not to whack anyone that was closeby!

Later, Shadow carried in two fish just six minutes apart and was feeding the chicks when Jackie flew in to claim the fish, nearly knocking him over. He looked a bit stunned as he stood there with a piece of fish still hanging from his beak. Her loud vocals prior to arriving was a warning, but he didn't quite expect that crazy landing! Shadow let her know that he clearly wasn't happy about it.

As Jackie took over feeding, Shadow took off but was back a few minutes later with a huge pokey guardrail stick. After diligently placing it, he was alerted to some raven business outside the nest and was off to handle it as Jackie and the chicks curiously looked on.

He returned with another big rail stick and Jackie still seemed upset by something so she flew out to take care of it. Both parents returned later for close-up poses and the chicks continued with their wingers and attempts at self-feeding. Before sunset, Shadow delivered a final fish of the day and Mom made sure both chicks had full crops before bed. Gizmo even stole a fish tail and gobbled it down!

Sunny is now 46 days old and Gizmo 42 days. Both chicks appear healthy and will soon look similar with their darker feathers. Sunny's tail feathers could be one way to tell them apart, as well as their eyes and beak. They could be in the nest for at least another 4 weeks before they decide they are ready to fly, then another 4-12 weeks, hopefully still feeding in the nest, but also out and about learning eagle survival skills by observing Mom and Dad.

If you would like to view more photos of our eagle family, you can also join our private interactive community Facebook group here:


BKind22

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