As some of you know, over the last few months I’ve become an avid follower of the adventures of A-62 Isleno and A-63 Whisk. Okay, actually, addicted is more accurate. I’ve watched these two bald eagles on Santa Cruz Island grow from egg peckers to eaglets to fledglings.
Being an eaglet is tough. Many will die in the nest, succumbing to predators, nature, or sibling rivalry. Fledglings have a 50 percent mortality rate in their first year. They may drown as they try to fly the 26 miles to the mainland or perish because their hunting skills are primitive so they must scavenge food from other adult birds.
Mom and Dad (A-48 and A-40) have been incredible parents providing abundant food with the daily menu changing from fish to mice to live ducks and baby ravens. Nature isn’t always pretty so don’t watch while eating dinner. In 11 weeks they taught their eaglets the basic skills and knowledge they will need to survive. Now, as fledglings the eaglets will continue to fly with their parents for another four to five weeks as they master their flying skills and learn to scavenge for food.