Three eaglets on Eagle Cam!!!

[terrilhb]

Thanks tdgill for the update.

 

[backdoorchicken]

The three motherless eaglets from Norfolk Botanical Garden aren't so little any more.

In fact, they have reached full adult size and are testing their wings.

"They weigh about seven to eight pounds and they'll just muscle up more as they work their flight muscles," says Amanda Nicholson, director of outreach at the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro.

The eaglets were transferred to the wildlife center after their mother was killed during an airplane collision in late April. Wildlife biologists with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries made the decision and transported the eaglets because they were concerned the male eagle could not provide sufficient food for the then 5-week-olds.

"They are doing well," says Nicholson.

"NX and NV are in their newly renovated flight pen that is 100 feet long. They've been flying the entire length of the pen, exploring, learning how to land on those swinging perches and have been exploring their tubs of water, too.

"NZ sustained a leg injury, a small chip fracture to one leg. It's something that should heal pretty quickly, and we will take another set of radiographs on Monday June 13. If all is well and the injury has calloused over, she'll return to her siblings in the flight pen."

The nicknames NX, NV and NZ are actually the letters on the identification bands that the eaglets received when they were still at the botanical garden. Wildlife biologists use the bands to track the birds for research purposes.

For food, the eaglets eat rats, fish and quail. Their feedings have been bumped from two times a day to once a day since they don't care for breakfast anymore.

To help the eaglets learn to hunt, staff at the wildlife center will put soon put fish, the dead kind, in a tub.

"That will at least give them the idea," says Nicholson.

"We want to release them with adult eagles so they can observe how they hunt and can steal food from others, too. Otherwise, they likely eat carrion, too, which doesn't require much skill."

Along with the eaglets, the wildlife center has cared for more than 200 patients this year, including 20 eagles.

"It's been a busy spring in many ways," she says.

"Many of our eagle patients are young, so they'll require a couple of months of supportive care. Some of our adults have injuries that are taking quite a while to heal."

Online

•View the eaglet web cam and read the blog about them at WildlifeCenter.org.​

 

[tdgill]

going to see the eaglets!!! brb

 

[terrilhb]

I so love them when they are in the pool. Did you see when NV untied the knot and the perch fell down?

And he was the laid back one. Not anymore.

Can not wait till NZ comes back.

 

[tdgill]

funny!!! lol. I had to watch the video recap. by the way...the Decorah eaglets are branching all over the place!!! http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

 

[terrilhb]

They are talking about maybe releasing the eaglets the last week in July. The actual date has not been actually set. But that is what Ed Clark said. So they may be leaving soon. I am so happy for them. But I am so sad I will miss them so much. It is amazing how 3 eaglets can reach your heart so much.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I hope that they can survive on their own. I will be a nervous wreck when that day comes.

 

[TerriLaChicks]

I know it's time for them to go free, but --- I'm going to miss them sooo bad-- but looking forward to seeing what "surprises" Ed has in store for us after that!

 

[terrilhb]

Ed told us this morning that the Rock Stars will be released on July 27th at 11AM. At the Plantation. Just wanted to let everyone know. Know the tears flow again in joy and sadness.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:

See you then!