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Storm is growing daily!
| What can you expect in growth during the second to third week of an eaglet’s life? Storm is growing more and more each day before our eyes. At this time the eaglet weighs approximately 2 lbs., and we will start to see some rapid growth in the beak and the feet as well. Have you seen this little guy’s feet lately! The natal down is being replaced with the eaglet’s thermal down. The thermal down will enable the eaglet to thermoregulate at this point. Which also means that Storm can be left alone more often and can keep itself warm. The parent will still cover and protect them in rainy weather. You may have already noticed that Storm is beginning to be more mobile as well. You will see Storm scoot across the nest and follow Skye and Soren when they are hanging out or picking out the next meal. You will also notice Storm sitting up more often and preening those growing feathers as well. At this point the eaglet can see well and is always tracking mom and dad. |
Along with the rapid growth at this point and going forward, Storm will be fed quite often throughout the day. You will notice a bulge at the front of Storm, that is where the food is stored, in what is called a crop. The crop is a pouch in the esophagus, where they store their food. When eagles eat, they fill their crop, it does not go directly to their stomach like ours does. Eagles and eaglets can stuff their crops and digest it later as needed. We call this a crop drop. You may see an eagle open its mouth and act like it yawning, it’s usually doing a crop drop. Adult eagles can fill their crop with 2 lbs. of food for later nourishment. Therefore, eagles can go for a day or two without eating. What is not digestible will come up as a pellet. Pellets are usually full of fur, bones, etc. We have not seen Storm cast a pellet yet, the eaglet is still too young and only eating the flesh of the prey.
We have seen both Skye and Soren bring in fresh fish, as well as squirrel, opossum and rabbit. The parents have excellent eyesight and can see prey from 2 miles away. Some of the animals will be caught live, or they will also bring in roadkill. They will sometimes remove the old food to keep flies away or other eagles looking for food. We have seen them bring in greenery to cover the food pile. This helps disguise it and helps to freshen the nest.
Stay tuned as the next week will show even greater development in Storm.
