We Are Here to Help!
FR1 is now called “Storm”
| First, we do need to address FR2 passing. Our last blog showed FR2 just starting to hatch. FR2 pipped on 4-4-25 and we saw it for the first time Saturday morning, completely out of the shell. We did notice that from the beginning FR2 was somewhat weak and not lifting its head. Therefore, from the beginning, it appears that something was not quite right developmentally. As the day went on, we noticed that FR2 still had not perked up. Then it became evident late afternoon/ early evening that FR2 was not moving anymore. As much as we love watching a live eagle cam, we cannot predict what will happen. What we witnessed with the passing of FR2 is part of nature and nothing that either parent did wrong. We must remember that we are here to observe and learn, which can be hard to watch at times. At one point during the day on Sunday, we believe one of the parents removed FR2 from the nest. This is what the parents will normally do with an eaglet that has passed in the nest. |
FR1 “Storm” is growing stronger with each day!
| The good news is that Skye and Soren have moved forward and are concentrating on raising FR1, who is now 11 days old as of this morning. We have decided to start calling FR1 – “Storm”. The little eaglet has already weathered lots of storms in our West Michigan Spring weather! Storm has been eating well and is a very strong eaglet. It has been starting to track the parents at feeding time and sitting up very well. The parents will tear off tiny pieces of food and try to hit the moving target, as eaglets will wobble in the beginning. At this stage, we nickname them bobble-heads. Eaglets are born seeing only shadows and after the first week it will be able to see the parent better. The first 3-4 weeks of life, an eaglet needs to be brooded almost constantly. They can be left uncovered for brief periods and during feedings only. This is due to the fact that they cannot thermoregulate (keep themselves warm) until their downy feathers grow in, at about 4 weeks. While the parents are brooding, they leave a pocket of air between them and the eaglet by using their wings as a brace. The egg tooth that forms inside the shell just before pip will fall off at about 3 weeks of age as well. The egg tooth is located on top of the tiny beak. We continue to watch and learn, and we will see Storm growing stronger and larger each day. In the first 30 days, the eaglet will grow rapidly and will double in size from hatching. It is amazing to watch how quickly they grow and develop. Stay tuned. |
