Chore Chart for Raising Eagles Duties for Males and Females Even though it's not written down anywhere, male and female eagles instinctively know what their duties are when it comes to raising young. Read about the phenology of eagle nesting at the following links. Click on each one to learn what duties are involved and which parent is responsible for each duty: Start of Nesting Season: Establish territory and build nest (1-3 months). Egg Laying Incubating Eggs Taking Care of Nestlings Taking Care of Fledglings After you've read about nesting phenology, look at the following list of duties. select territory defend territory against other eagles build or repair nest chase away predators lay eggs incubate eggs turn eggs cover eggs before leaving them alone catch lots of fish for nestlings feed young at nest sit on nest to brood young shade babies from hot sun feed and protect young if they fall from nest encourage young to fly teach young to fish (and/or supplement with food) Record each duty in the best column on the Chore Chart below. Write each duty that the male and female share in the middle column, but put an arrow toward the male or female column, whichever does the most work on this chore. Then compare the work-load of the male and female eagle. (See discussion questions below.) Print the Chore Chart Blank Male Eagle's Duties Shared Duties Female Eagle's Duties       Discussion Questions 1. Who do you think does more work in raising young, the male or the female eagle? Give examples. 2. Would you rather be a male or female eagle? Why? 3. Compare how male and females of different species divide the tasks of raising their young. (See the robin's "Chore Chart" for example. Or read about hummingbirds) What do you think are some of the reasons for these differences? 4. Male and female eagles look almost identical, male and female robins look a little different, and male and female hummingbirds look very different. Do you think this is related to the way they divide their chores? Copyright 2002 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form