APRIL 10: One eaglet seen in nest-- watch for second

[NewMexiKen]

Before sunrise, at 6:55 this morning we saw an adult Bald Eagle flying from the direction of the nest towards Sunset Lakes. The sighting was about 1.5 miles SE of the nest.

We arrived at the nest at about 9:15 AM and found the male Pride roosting in a pine to the east of the nest.



Watched for 3/4 hour but only saw one eaglet. It looks like the older, probably a female.





Pride then disappeared to the NW but reappeared about 10 minutes later and entered the nest from the rear, He was not carrying any prey. Once again we only saw one eaglet.It did not beg for food and there was no feeding activity.





Keep an eye out and please let us know if you see the second eaglet.

[Kathybaker]

Hi, I was out at the nest this afternoon from about 2:30 till 4:30 and yes I saw both eaglets.  What accured after one of the adults returned was unbelievably sad.  I don't know if the adult had food or not I couldn't tell, but for what ever reason the bigger  eaglet killed the smaller one.  I was taking photos at the time and couldn't get my head around what I was seeing.  Im sorry to have to be the one to inform you of the loss of one eaglet but I assume its natures way.

[NewMexiKen]

Yes, Kathy it is very sad to learn that the older and more aggressive eaglet killed the younger one. I feared it was being cowed into laying low or even already injured by the older one when I posted my message. Siblicide is one of the eagles' keys to success, as it gives the surviving eaglet a much better chance of becoming an adult.

As you may know, the first eaglet is more likely to be a female than a male, and she is larger than the male at all ages.  The second is more likely a male, so there is a 1:1 sex balance. The first-hatched, if a female, is more likely to kill a second female, perhaps because it eliminates a competitor while still small and weak.  A female and male sequence is the most successful combination for survival, maybe because the male learns its place in the hierarchy and does not challenge the female. This also assures a balance between the number of males and females as adults. If the first-hatched is a male the entire brood has less chance of surviving than if the first is a female.

Since south Florida eagles developed an instinct to breed much earlier than those up north, there were inherent advantages-- less heat stress on the eaglets and better prey availability when they are growing fastest in February and March. Let's hope that Pride and Jewel can provide for the single eaglet and see her fledge successfully sometime in late summer.

If you have a higher-resolution photo I would like to see it.

[Kathybaker]

  I have a few more but non of them are great.  Thanks for the explanation, I know its all nature and for the good of the eagle population just wish I wasn't there to see it

[Kathybaker]

  they aren't in the correct sequence but it just about tells the story  

[NewMexiKen]

Thanks for the additional photos, Kathy. I can only imagine how difficult it was for you to witness this, but the documentation and quality of the photos is excellent.

[Lisa G]

I am very sad to see this happen :*( are we positive the other baby passed ? I want to make sure before I post it on the Facebook and the Website . My heart is broken right now as many of us are heartbroken :( Nature is so cruel sometimes  

[rcpetit]

---

From: "Lisa G [via Bald Eagles of Broward County, Florida]" <[hidden email]>
To: "rcpetit" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 3:53:24 PM
Subject: Re: APRIL 10: One eaglet seen in nest-- other has been killed

I am very sad to see this happen :*( are we positive the other baby passed ? I want to make sure before I post it on the Facebook and the Website . My heart is broken right now as many of us are heartbroken :( Nature is so cruel sometimes  

---

If you reply to this email, your message will be added to the discussion below:

http://bald-eagles-of-broward-county-florida.1638815.n2.nabble.com/APRIL-10-One-eaglet-seen-in-nest-watch-for-second-tp7574461p7574468.html

To start a new topic under CURRENT 2015-2016 Observations of Pembroke Pines Bald Eagle Nest BO-002, email [hidden email]
To unsubscribe from Bald Eagles of Broward County, Florida, click here.
NAML