BALD EAGLE FAN

Every once in a while I click on the LIVE NestCam, which is up in a tree nearby the lake at Codorus State Park. The NestCam provides a great seat and sure beats climbing the tree. I found some interesting information and now consider myself an official "Eagles Fan".  

The bald eagle builds the largest nest of any North American bird, up to 13 ft. deep and 8 ft. wide. 

Bald eagles are not actually bald; the name comes from an older meaning of "white headed". Females are about 25 percent larger than males. (I noticed that the larger female was in the nest yesterday, and the smaller male was bringing breakfast and lunch to the nest.) 

Their legs are feather-free, and the toes are short and powerful with large talons. The highly developed talon of the hind toe is used to pierce the vital areas of prey while it is held immobile by the front toes. (Three days ago the male brought two small squirrels, one in each talon)

The bald eagle is a powerful flier and soars on thermal convection currents. It reaches speeds of 35–45 mph when gliding and flapping. Its dive speed is between 75–100 mph, though it seldom dives vertically. (Even though they are capable of these speeds, it is interesting how smoothly they glide into the nest)

Rabbits, ground,squirrels, raccoons, muskrats, beavers and deer fawns are the eagles primary on-land prey. (I would love to see the eagle arrive at the nest with a deer fawn)

The average lifespan of bald eagles in the wild is around 20 years. In captivity, they often live somewhat longer. In one instance, a captive eagle in New York lived for nearly 50 years.

I guess not everyone is a bald eagle fan. Benjamin Franklin, in a letter written to his daughter in 1784 from Paris, stated his personal distaste for the bald eagle's behavior. In the letter Franklin said:

"For my own part. I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen the representative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character. He does not get his living honestly ... besides he is a rank coward: The little king bird not bigger than a sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district."

(Oh well, guess it's true in the animal world too. You can't ever please everyone.) 

To view the nestcam, click HERE.

  2-18-2015 - UPDATE ON LITTLE EAGLETS from FOX NEWS  

Hanover Bald Eagle lays second egg
"The first egg was laid on Saturday, February 14, 2015 around 6pm. The second egg was laid Tuesday, February 17th in the afternoon.

The birds will take turns incubating an egg for about 35 days, with one of the birds seldom leaving the nest. Eagles can lay up to five eggs one after another, but typically only lay two or three.

Once hatched, an eaglet will hang around the nest with its parents keeping it warm and feeding it. It eventually takes its first flight and by mid-July, an eaglet will flee the nest."

  SCREEN SHOT OF NESTCAM TODAY   (2-18-2015 @ 3:25 pm)  

Both eagles left the nest and eggs. I heard that something may have happened to the one eagle, since he hasn't been seen lately. Guess the mom finally got tired of waiting and was probably hungry.

(3:35 pm) 2-18-2015  The mother has returned.