Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagles

Classroom Questions: 1st and 5th graders
Q: How much do the eagles eat each day?
A: These adults will eat a 1 or 2 lb fish per day.

Q: How long do eagles live.
A: Oldest known eagle in the wild in VA was 28 yrs old. Eagles can live longer in captivity.

Q: First graders want to know if both eagles can ever be off the nest at the same time.?
A: Both eagles can be off the nest at the same time but one always in sight of the nest. Because they are incubating the eggs they will not be off eggs for more than a couple minutes.

Q: First grader would like to know how many pounds could the eagle carry?
A: An adult eagle can lift and fly with about 20% of their body weight - so about 2 to 3 lbs.

Q: How big is this particular nest?
A: This nest is about 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep. The pocket where the eggs are laying is lined with pine straw and feathers and about 1 foot deep. I plan to measure this nest when we band the eaglets this year.

Miscellaneous questions from chat:
Q: I am wondering what kind of hearing eagles have
A: Hearing - good question - diurnal birds (those active in day time) have hearing about as good as ours. Nocturnal birds like owls have exceptionally good hearing. Their ears are behind and slightly below their eyes.

Q: Does this pair stay at NBG all year, and do other eagles ever try to use their nest
A: This pair seems to stay close to NBG throughout the year. Longest time not seen last year about 2 weeeks

Q: Why do they "pick" at the straw when they first settle themselves on eggs?
A: The pine straw gets packed down from them laying on it. They have to pick at it to fluff it up. Provides better insulation.

Q: How long after fledging do the parents keep feeding the eaglets? Do the fledges follow parents around to learn to fish?
A: Fledglings for up to 2 months and they do follow adults to "learn" how to hunt.

Q: Do adult or juvenile eagles ever molt, and if so, when?
A: Most molting occurs during Spring and Summer. They only molt a few feathers at a time so can fly.

Q: Is there an average size of range between pairs of eagles? Like nests or hunting?
A: Range or "territority" varies greatly based mostly on food availability

Q: After the eaglets fledge and are proficient at hunting their own food, does anyone use this nest before next season?
A: It does once in a while happen that another bird takes over an eagle nest. We have seen Great Horned Owls occupy eagle nests

Q: What type of predators are a threat to the eggs or eaglets?
A: Eggs no predators. Eaglets - raccoon and Great Horned Owls. I know of one eagle nest in Va Beach that lost its eaglets 4 years in a row. Eagles moved to another nest. A nest in Portsmouth taken over by GHO was abandoned by the eagles

Q: What about her mouth...opened more today than usual? Any idea why this is?
A: They are dressed for winter and at 50 degrees it is getting warm for her. Panting is a way to cool off. (asked Mar. 1)

Q: What will the rate of growth be once the eggs hatch?
A: Growth will be rapid. you will be amazed at how fast they grow. All their energy the first 30 days goes into growing.

wow.
1st & 5th graders are VERY smart!
These were very thought-provoking questions . . . anybody feel smarter than a fifth grader???

good job ann Thanks

I'm looking forward to the nest measurements!

The seed to learn and explore more as been planted. The first grade teacher came back to share this.

"I am watching my first grader class at recess - they have measured two yard sticks wide and made a circle to see how many of them could fit in the eagle nest per what Reese told them - it is so cute!! Just had to share "

wish she had taken a picture of THAT!!

Lots of great questions and wonderful answers! Yes I would have like to have seen how many 1st graders could fit into one eagle's nest they mapped out on the recess grounds.

Did you know that birds have thumbs? I saw a very young budgie without any feathers yet and it had these little thumbs. Really, I swear! No kidding.