Post-Fledging

This is the period when the young have fledged but are still flying around the nest territory. 

A young bird's first flight typically is not very far and fledglings are reluctant fliers. They are clumsy flyers and landing proves to be difficult. They may stay at their first perch for a few days before flying again or even spend time on the ground where they're vulnerable to predators.

Right from the beginning, fledglings will try to follow their parents on hunting trips. After fledging they'll associate with both of their parents for about 6 weeks. Parents continue to feed them during this time. In many cases, the young watch their parents fish, but they don't learn how to catch live fish themselves for a long time. Their first "catches" are carcasses found along shorelines. Soon they learn to pick up dead fish floating on top of the water.

By early fall the young eagles are able to find food on their own and the parents go their separate ways.

• More Post-Fledging Facts