🦅 Eagle Cam 🦅
@Mz iMac @shoekitty @Jk9 @spumoni99 @SoCal Bred
2025-05-16
Tug ‘o Toes, Stealing…
Tug ‘o toes, stealing, branching & sleeping upright…
Both Sunny and Gizmo have been spending time standing on the outer rails observing the habitat and taking in all the activity and beauty around them. Both are becoming more confident as they observe Mom and Dad hop around on the upper branches and fly out the front porch, knowing soon they will likely be doing the same.
For lunch yesterday, Shadow delivered a huge fish and released it from his talons. Gizmo quickly spun around but latched on to Dad’s toes with its beak instead of onto the fish… ouch!
Gizmo played tug ‘o toes ~ while Shadow pulled, Gizmo tugged… ouch! Finally, Gizmo gave up, Dad got his toes back and all was well!
This is a common reaction for young chicks, since food is usually delivered in talons.
After a shared meal and a rest time with Gizmo, a re-energized Sunny was up. Sunny got a running start across the nest, sped past Gizmo, then jumped up to the rails to perch. Since it was a warm afternoon, Gizmo was panting and chose to display the common horaltic pose with wings dropped down to the sides, which cools their wings and body.
A later fish delivery caused more tugs, steals, and lots of possession back and forth, which are all good to see. This means Sunny and Gizmo are learning to fight for and hold onto their food or it could be stolen.
In the late afternoon, Gizmo gained the confidence to climb up onto the big solid branch on the back porch, branching briefly for the first time, just as Sunny did some days ago. A little shaky, Gizmo held on, turned around with slippery talons, then moved safely back into the nest. Another little victory!
Both Sunny and Gizmo have begun sleeping like big eagles these past few nights, standing upright and tucked in. Soon we will see both sleeping this way all night, as bald eagles prefer to sleep with their talons locked down on a branch with their head tucked in their wings.
Stay tuned eagle family… We are now on Fledge Watch!
BKind22
