Milestones between 3-4 weeks for Storm

Wow! Storm is almost 4 weeks old and so big, they grow so fast. We’ll talk about growth in the 3-4 weeks stage.   Storm is growing right before our eyes, they seem to grow overnight. You will notice that Storm is preening a lot these days. There is tremendous feather growth all over and especially the growth of what we call, Pin Feathers, also known as Blood Feathers. You will notice them growing on the tips of his/her wings to start with. At 3 weeks the eaglet is covered in its secondary down feathers, which will remain for warmth under the newly growing feathers.     The shafts of the pin/blood feathers are full of a blood supply. This nourishes the shaft and feather as it begins to grow. The feathers will emerge from the shafts as a dark brown color, which will grow into their first year feathers. After the new feathers grow out, the blood in the shaft will be replaced by air. The blood will remain at the very tips where they attach to the body. Feather shafts are full of air so that the eagle can be “light for flight”. We will see tremendous feather growth in week 4. Storm has begun to sit up well and flap those little wings, great exercise for wing growth.     We also see the feet growing very large, we call them “Clown Feet”, as they look too big for their bodies at this point. However, that will change. The feet and beak are nearing adult size at 4 weeks old. Their feet will begin to turn the yellow color that eagles are known for. The beak, however, won’t reach total yellow until the age of 5, full adulthood.     Storm is becoming very mobile and making it’s way all over the nest, as well as following Soren and Skye. They know where the food comes from and will be eating more and more each day and week. This nourishment is necessary for the fast growth. You will also see Storm hanging on the rails, already exploring the world beyond the nest. The rails are cooler too in the warming weather.

With the warmer weather, you may have noticed that Storm along with the parents are starting to pant. Remember the nest temperature is still approximately 100 degrees or more, then you add the sunshine, and their own body temps, it gets pretty warm up there. The panting enables them to cool off, just like dogs do when they pant. You’ll also see them spread their wings out, this is another form of cooling off. Storm is doing that now in the warmer weather already. Speaking of cooling off, the eaglet gets the water it needs from the food it eats, especially from the fish.   Eaglets continue to gain weight rapidly, with the most significant weight gain occurring during the first 3-4 weeks. The eaglet will be about 1 foot in height at this point as well. Stay tuned as our little Storm will continue to grow in leaps and bounds during this 3-4 week period.