Re: Today (11/7)

Posted by NewMexiKen on
URL: http://bald-eagles-of-broward-county-florida.17.s1.nabble.com/Today-11-7-tp7575658p7575659.html

Very nice photos, danicox! Observers cannot be certain about the timing of egg-laying. A few days before the first egg is laid the female will spend more time on the nest, often down quite low. If she tends to get up and fly off the nest periodically it is probable that she is "broody" but had not yet laid.

Once she goes down deep and stays there for a prolonged period of time it may indicate the event. The best confirmation is when the male is permitted to exchange incubation duties. This may happen at intervals of an hour or two or longer. While  incubating, the adult may change position and also tend to the eggs, turning them at intervals. This usually occurs about every 20-30 minutes.  

The pair will rarely leave the eggs uncovered, especially in cooler or stormy weather. Incidentally, when the first egg hatches after about 35 days of incubation, the adult will sit higher to protect the eaglet but still provide enough warmth to the unhatched egg.