Birds Paired For Life

While scrolling through Facebook, I saw a post by the Birding News which was dated on February 27th, 2019 that read, "Bald Eagle Trio Paired for Life?". The article was about the story of three bald eagles nesting at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge near Fulton, IL. Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge installed a nest camera and this is what they recorded.

In the article two bald eagle dads and one bald eagle mom share the responsibilities for their eggs. It all started in 2012 where two male bald eagles both courted one female bald eagle but all three shared the incubation, feed, and protection of their young. All three remained together until 2017 where the nest was attacked and the female bald eagle left to never return. However, in 2018 a new female was found in the nest with the two male eagles in which she laid two eggs and all three attended to them.

Bald eagles are sexually mature at the age of four or five years. Their courtship consists of elaborate calls and flight displays. They actually return to the area where it was born to breed with another and you usually only find a set of parents. They are considered early breeders in which egg laying is mid-February, incubation mid-March early June, and hatching is mid-April to early May. Eggs produced are usually one to three a year. Bald eagles are very monogamous for life which means they are faithful with their mate and are highly territorial.

Here are some interesting facts about bald eagles.

1. It builds the largest nest of any North American bird and the largest tree nest ever recorded for any animals species, measuring up to 13ft deep and 8.2ft wide.

2. Bald eagles can fly as fast as 35-43 mph and about 35 mph while carrying fish.

3. Female bald eagles are larger than males, up to 25%.

4. 68% of bald eagles deaths are caused by humans.

5. The diet of a bald eagle is more than 50% fish.

6. A bald eagle can reach up to 100 mph in a dive.

7. The bald eagle's name comes from an older meaning of the word, "white headed".

The bald eagle has grown in population; therefore, has been crossed off the

Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Species. These beautiful creatures hide well; however, here are a list of spots within our area that you can visit in order to see them.

Virginia

Caledon State Park Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge Westmoreland State Park Mason Neck State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Presquile National Wildlife Refuge Discover the James

District of Columbia Bald Eagle Memorial

Maryland Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Great Falls National Park Aberdeen Proving Ground

Bald eagles are beautiful and majestic creatures to not only watch but to learn about. These animals like to nest away from human activity; however, smaller birds are known to nest within our home's vents. If you see any nesting activity within one of your home's vent, give Elite Wildlife Removal a call at 804-867-7184. One of our trained professional technicians will conduct a thorough inspection to give you peace of mind knowing your home will be protected.