Re: MAR 5, 12:30 PM: Pride works while new female watches

Posted by NewMexiKen on Mar 11, 2015; 6:48pm
URL: http://bald-eagles-of-broward-county-florida.17.s1.nabble.com/MAR-5-12-30-PM-Pride-works-while-new-female-watches-tp7574055p7574060.html

No, I do not believe that the eagles will breed successfully this season. Since at least two successful copulation episodes were observed (and many more not observed, I'm sure) the female may have been fertilized and may have laid eggs several weeks back. However she never has shown a strong "broodiness" that characterized Joy, who usually spent several days deep in the nest before depositing eggs. She may have dropped the eggs anywhere, but possibly in the nest. We had seen Pride spending quite a bit of time deep down in the nest.

Since they are biologic creatures they are not entirely predictable, but even in the very unlikely event that they did try to raise a family this late in the season, it would not fit the pattern they have evolved over the centuries. Generally eaglets will be hungriest just at time of maximum prey availability, which is just about now. Fish have not yet retreated to deeper and cooler water so the young eagles can more easily learn to hunt. Herons, Ibises and even rabbits and squirrels will be producing inexperienced youngsters. Heat stress will not be as severe as it would be for an eaglet hatching out in April or May. Their instinct is to fly north to seek cooler water by the end of summer-- this is especially true of the younger eagles. They simply would not be ready.

I think the good news is that they appear to be well-bonded. They seem to spend the nights together, as they are often roosting on the Melaleucas at daybreak. Late afternoon sightings are also common.

The proof will be if/when they return together next fall to get down to serious family matters!