Baby eagles are truly a sight to behold. They have the most beautiful feathers and fluffy, white wings. And though they can't fly on their own for a few months, they can still get around by jumping from tree to tree or taking short glides on branches. In this blog post, we'll be exploring five facts about baby eagles that you might not be aware of (maybe you know them all!).
Baby Eagles Can Fly
Before They Can Walk
Baby eagles can't fly until they are about three months old, but they have been known to take their first flight as early as 16 days old!
In those first few weeks of life, baby eagles will practice flapping their wings and jumping from branch to branch. If a tree is too high for them to reach easily, the little chick will strategically use its wings to flutter down.
This is because the muscles in eagle chicks' wings start out atrophied and under-developed. But as they grow older, these muscles continue to strengthen and grow bigger - allowing even the youngest of eagles to take flight.
While this may seem like a long time before they can fly again, it's actually not unusual for birds who can't yet fly on their own. In fact, other bird species might take up to six months before they take their first flight.
Baby Eagles Eat Fish
Eagles are carnivores, which means they only eat meat. And when they're young, they eat fish!
Though baby eagles can't fly for quite some time, they may be able to catch fish in the water using their talons. When they're older, however, the birds of prey will need to hunt on land.
If you want to see a baby eagle eating its first meal, just watch this video:
Baby Eagles Live in Tree Holes
Baby eagles live in tree holes that they've picked out for themselves.
Eagles have a strong sense of home and family, so they need to find a safe haven to live in. They'll love their new home and will always return there if they can!
Currently, there are about 10 million nesting bald eagles in North America which is an amazing feat considering the species was on the verge of extinction only 50 years ago.
Baby Eagles Use Their Feathers to Keep Warm
One of the most amazing things about baby eagles is their fluffy feathers. These soft, white feathers are not just for looks. They serve an important function during cold weather months.
Baby eagles use their feathers to keep warm, especially since they can't fly yet and have limited mobility. They'll huddle around one another to stay warm and will often use their wings to cover their head. The more feathers a baby eagle has the better insulated it is from the cold!
Baby Eagle Sounds
Eagles will often call to each other before they mate, using their wings as a type of fan. The sound is described as a cawing noise that sounds like "kraal".
They also have a piercing scream called a "kee-yar" which helps them protect their territory and find food.
Baby eagles can make different noises depending on what they're doing. When they're scared or mad, baby eagles make a hissing sound or a low growl. When excited or happy, baby eagles make a happy screechy noise.
Eagles are very vocal birds and communicate with each other primarily by using sound. In fact, some scientists even think that the eagle's distinct cry came from the ancient Greek word "autos" meaning eagle!
Baby Eagle Images
Osprey chicks are also called "ospreys" or "fish hawks." They're named this way as they wait on a perch above the water, and prey on fish. All osprey chicks have a brownish crest on their head, which is used for camouflage in the nest.
Baby eagles don't develop their signature white feathers until they reach six to eight months of age. In the first few days of their lives, baby eagles are covered with white downy feathers that they will gradually lose as they grow into adulthood.
Eagle eggs take about 45 days to hatch once laid but can take up to 60 days if the egg is cold or damaged. The parents will incubate the eggs by rotating them regularly and keeping them warm with their body heat.
Eagle chicks usually leave the nest at about six months old and they'll fly out of the nest and hunt with the adults once they've mastered this skill.
Conclusion
Baby Eagles are one of the most fascinating species of birds out there. They are not only intelligent but also adorable! They are found in every continent except Antarctica and they are widely distributed in many habitats. Baby Eagles can fly at an early age, eat fish, live in tree holes, use their feathers to keep warm, and produce a variety of sounds that can be heard from a distance. Also, they have a variety of colors that range from brown to white. All this combined makes for a very interesting bird!
