Date
(A00) |
Date
(V98) |
Behavior |
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|
Arrival
on nesting territory (Migratory individuals only. Males and females
of mated pair seem to appear on territory within a short time of
eachother.) |
|
|
Defending
territory (Watch for skirmishes with other eagles and, during nesting,
with other birds. Intraspecific aggression less noticeable when
pair has been established for many years. |
|
|
Courtship
(Displays involve aerial acrobatics and tumbling, but are rarely
seen) |
|
|
Nest-building
(Nests made of sticks, same nest used for many years. both male
and female build.) |
|
|
Mating
(Eagles are monogomous, meaning males and females have only one
mate. Pairs stay together for life. If one dies, the remaining bird
finds a new mate and usually carries on in the same nesting territory.) |
|
|
Egg
laying (First laid several weeks after arriving at nest site. Typicially
two eggs are layed, the 2nd egg 1-2 days after first. If a 3rd egg,
it's often laid a full week after 1st egg.) |
|
|
Incubation
(Lasts 34-36 days, begins as soon as 1st egg is layed, "aschronous
incubation". Males and females take turns, but female does
bulk of work.) |
|
|
Hatching
(1st egg hatches before 2nd egg, the same number days earlier as
it was laid. Young are semialtricial: immobile, downy, eyes open,
fed by parents.) |
|
|
Nestling
stage (Lasts 10-12 weeks, both parents share feeding responsibilities.
Size differences mean older eaglets more likely to survive. Food
availability ) |
|
|
Fledging
stage (In years with plentiful food, very commmon for 2 or even
3 to fledge. This stage lasts 4-6 weeks, both parents continue to
feed, but young also forage on own.) |