4th Graders Mrs. Comstock's Classroom Session February 8, 2018
On February 8, 2018 Mrs. Comstock's 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at Sacred Heart Catholic Academy in Bayside, New York scheduled a Classroom Session with SWFEC. SWFEC would like to thank Mrs. Comstock for sharing these wonderful photos with our SWFEC family. Photo above shows the 4th grade class during their session. Photo property of Mrs. Comstock.
4th GRADE QUESTIONS:
1. Demetri asks: Where do the eagles go when it rains?
Glad you asked that question, Demetri. Eagles are well equipped for bad weather. They usually just perch on a limb during rain and if it is a strong storm with winds they might find a tree that gives them good cover.
Adults will cover their eaglets when they are very young to keep them dry and warm though because their protective feathers haven’t come in yet.
The feathers are what keep the eagle relatively dry. The feather has tiny barbs that act like Velcro in order to hold the feather in place. This tight bond is able to keep water out. To keep the feather from becoming brittle the eagle has what is called a ‘preen gland’(uropygial gland). The preen gland secretes a rich oil of waxes, fatty acids, fat and water which is applied to the feathers by the bird’s beak.
The eagle will extract oil by squeezing the gland and working it into the feathers.
Here is a photo showing how the water beads on the feathers: flic.kr/p/GJdCXy
Here are some pictures of both drying off and preening, and the Uropygial gland:
Drying: Photo of M15 drying off: bit.ly/1n2ZEbN
Preening: Photo showing Harriet preening: bit.ly/1TyzLuC
Uropygial Gland: Drawing of Uropygial Gland; source - Falco Peregrinus-foona website: bit.ly/1ZJfUNc
2. Alex asks: How long does it take a bald eagle to build a nest?
Surprisingly pretty quickly, Alex - within a week if they need to. But usually they take their time and construct the nest over a couple of months. Once they are raising their family they continue to bring sticks and nesting material throughout the season.
Eagles are compulsive nest builders and are constantly adding on to their nest. Since eagles will use the same nest year after year the nest can become quite large and heavy.
3. EmilyG asks: When does the mom stop sleeping on top of the babies?
Good question EmilyG. The eaglets start to get their thermal down at around two weeks of age. Once it comes in the eaglet can thermoregulate - which means regulate their body temperature. At that time the adults no longer have to keep them covered all the time. It depends on the temperature. If it is cooler outside you will see her try to cover them - even when they are too big to cover. And that is especially true when it rains.
Not too long ago both Harriet and M15 were on the nest during a rain - trying to keep their young as dry as possible.
4. Stella asks: How can you tell the difference from a female and a male eagle?
It is hard to tell the difference between a male and female eagle Stella. Adult eagles look the same but it is easier to see the differences between male and female Bald Eagles when they are side by side. The females are generally larger than the males - about 25-30% larger. It is hard to tell the difference between the genders from a distance. But up close the depth of the beak is usually deeper on the female and the rear talon (on the hallux) is longer in length. Birds do not have external gender organs like mammals - so biologists rely on other characteristics to make an educated determination on gender.
5. Angeline asks: What happens if the baby falls out of the nest before it can fly?
Angeline, it depends on the age of the eaglet, if they are very young the chances are not good they would survive a fall from a nest that high.
If they are older and their feathers have almost come in they may be able to glide down without serious injury. If that did happen the proper authorities would be contacted and they would most likely capture the eaglet and take it to a wildlife hospital. There the eaglet would be checked for injuries and cared for as needed until it is able to be released back into the wild.
6. LukeM: What do the bald eagles eat?
LukeM, eagles in Southwest Florida area feed mostly on fish – about 90% of the food they consume is fish. Mullet, Catfish, Red Fish, Snook, and Gar are often seen brought to the nests. Eagles will also eat small mammals (rodents), amphibians (even turtles) and birds (most notably water birds).
We have seen a number of mammals brought to the nest this year by M15 - rabbits and squirrels. Eagles are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of any available food source.
7. Dylan LO asks: How much does an eagle weigh?
Dylan LO, females are about 25-30 percent larger than males. A female bald eagle's body length varies from 35 to 37 inches; with a wingspan of 79 to 90 inches. The smaller male bald eagle has a body length of 30 to 34 inches; with a wingspan ranging from 72 to 85 inches. Their average weight is 6-13 pounds (depending on the location). As with many birds, northern birds are significantly larger than their southern relatives.
A guess as to the weight of M15 is around 8 lbs. Harriet might be around 10 pounds (but don’t tell her we are guessing her weight!!).
You might find it interesting that the skeleton of an eagle weighs less than half as much as its feathers.
8. Cassius asks: How far can an eagle fly without stopping?
That is an interesting question Cassius. Most eagles don’t fly great distances unless they are migrating or don’t have a territory and are traveling to different food locations. Generally they remain in their territory which is less than a two to five mile radius.
While these non-migrating eagles may not go great distances, Bald Eagles can soar for long periods of time using the thermal air currents. These are updrafts that hold them aloft like a kite.
However, eagles that have been tracked have been known to fly non-stop 100-200 miles. Your class might be interested in checking out the flight paths of an eagle banded and fitted with a transmitter who kept returning to the Caloosahatchee River area (which is the river close to Harriet and M15’s nest). The biologists named this eagle Caloosahatchee and at the time the transmitter stopped working this eagle had flown 18101 km.
Here is the link: www.seaturtle.org/tracking/index.shtml?tag_id=74389a&...
You might be interested in this information however. In 1987 an exhausted Bald Eagle was discovered by a national parks worker in a northern heath (Kerry) in the country of Ireland. It is thought a storm blew it out to sea, and the bird struggled across the Atlantic Ocean with some strong winds. The airline Aer Lingus returned the bird back to the United States. Wonder how many frequent flyer miles that eagle earned?!
Here is a copy of the article they ran about this eagle: flic.kr/p/235B3vb
9. James asks: How do the eagles build a nest?
Most Bald Eagles and birds of many species are excellent at nest building, James. Nest building is a combination of both instinct and learned skill.
Eagles generally pick remote areas near rivers or coasts for their nests (aerie). With the loss of habitat and greater numbers, eagles are also becoming more urban and building closer to human activity - such as Harriet and M15.
Eagles generally build their nests in tall trees that offer them some shelter, an open view and easy flight access.
Since eagles are large birds and are long-lived, the nest size must be in proportion and accommodate years of use. Nests are rarely built in the topmost branches of the host tree, but a bit lower since the upper boughs can’t support the huge structure the eagles build. The eagles usually start the nest with some major branches with forks in them about 12 feet from the top. If the stick placement sticks, the pair will continue to bring in sticks. Smaller branches will form the rim of the inside bowl and the spaces are filled in with smaller vegetation including grasses and pine. They will continue to add nesting material throughout the nesting season as the activity of the young will require repairs.
10. Sophia asks: How big is their wingspan when it is stretched out?
Sophia, an adult’s wingspan is approximately 6-7 feet wide. Imagine standing in a door at your home - an eagle’s wingspan could cover that door from top to bottom!
11. Dana asks: How good is an eagle's eyesight?
The eagle has excellent eyesight, Dana. They have 2 centers of focus that allows them to see both forward and to the side at the same time. An eagle’s eyesight is 8-10 times better than a human’s. But it isn’t the actual magnification - it is the ability to see details. An eagle can see a 12” fish a mile away!
4th Graders Mrs. Comstock's Classroom Session February 8, 2018
On February 8, 2018 Mrs. Comstock's 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at Sacred Heart Catholic Academy in Bayside, New York scheduled a Classroom Session with SWFEC. SWFEC would like to thank Mrs. Comstock for sharing these wonderful photos with our SWFEC family. Photo above shows the 4th grade class during their session. Photo property of Mrs. Comstock.
4th GRADE QUESTIONS:
1. Demetri asks: Where do the eagles go when it rains?
Glad you asked that question, Demetri. Eagles are well equipped for bad weather. They usually just perch on a limb during rain and if it is a strong storm with winds they might find a tree that gives them good cover.
Adults will cover their eaglets when they are very young to keep them dry and warm though because their protective feathers haven’t come in yet.
The feathers are what keep the eagle relatively dry. The feather has tiny barbs that act like Velcro in order to hold the feather in place. This tight bond is able to keep water out. To keep the feather from becoming brittle the eagle has what is called a ‘preen gland’(uropygial gland). The preen gland secretes a rich oil of waxes, fatty acids, fat and water which is applied to the feathers by the bird’s beak.
The eagle will extract oil by squeezing the gland and working it into the feathers.
Here is a photo showing how the water beads on the feathers: flic.kr/p/GJdCXy
Here are some pictures of both drying off and preening, and the Uropygial gland:
Drying: Photo of M15 drying off: bit.ly/1n2ZEbN
Preening: Photo showing Harriet preening: bit.ly/1TyzLuC
Uropygial Gland: Drawing of Uropygial Gland; source - Falco Peregrinus-foona website: bit.ly/1ZJfUNc
2. Alex asks: How long does it take a bald eagle to build a nest?
Surprisingly pretty quickly, Alex - within a week if they need to. But usually they take their time and construct the nest over a couple of months. Once they are raising their family they continue to bring sticks and nesting material throughout the season.
Eagles are compulsive nest builders and are constantly adding on to their nest. Since eagles will use the same nest year after year the nest can become quite large and heavy.
3. EmilyG asks: When does the mom stop sleeping on top of the babies?
Good question EmilyG. The eaglets start to get their thermal down at around two weeks of age. Once it comes in the eaglet can thermoregulate - which means regulate their body temperature. At that time the adults no longer have to keep them covered all the time. It depends on the temperature. If it is cooler outside you will see her try to cover them - even when they are too big to cover. And that is especially true when it rains.
Not too long ago both Harriet and M15 were on the nest during a rain - trying to keep their young as dry as possible.
4. Stella asks: How can you tell the difference from a female and a male eagle?
It is hard to tell the difference between a male and female eagle Stella. Adult eagles look the same but it is easier to see the differences between male and female Bald Eagles when they are side by side. The females are generally larger than the males - about 25-30% larger. It is hard to tell the difference between the genders from a distance. But up close the depth of the beak is usually deeper on the female and the rear talon (on the hallux) is longer in length. Birds do not have external gender organs like mammals - so biologists rely on other characteristics to make an educated determination on gender.
5. Angeline asks: What happens if the baby falls out of the nest before it can fly?
Angeline, it depends on the age of the eaglet, if they are very young the chances are not good they would survive a fall from a nest that high.
If they are older and their feathers have almost come in they may be able to glide down without serious injury. If that did happen the proper authorities would be contacted and they would most likely capture the eaglet and take it to a wildlife hospital. There the eaglet would be checked for injuries and cared for as needed until it is able to be released back into the wild.
6. LukeM: What do the bald eagles eat?
LukeM, eagles in Southwest Florida area feed mostly on fish – about 90% of the food they consume is fish. Mullet, Catfish, Red Fish, Snook, and Gar are often seen brought to the nests. Eagles will also eat small mammals (rodents), amphibians (even turtles) and birds (most notably water birds).
We have seen a number of mammals brought to the nest this year by M15 - rabbits and squirrels. Eagles are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of any available food source.
7. Dylan LO asks: How much does an eagle weigh?
Dylan LO, females are about 25-30 percent larger than males. A female bald eagle's body length varies from 35 to 37 inches; with a wingspan of 79 to 90 inches. The smaller male bald eagle has a body length of 30 to 34 inches; with a wingspan ranging from 72 to 85 inches. Their average weight is 6-13 pounds (depending on the location). As with many birds, northern birds are significantly larger than their southern relatives.
A guess as to the weight of M15 is around 8 lbs. Harriet might be around 10 pounds (but don’t tell her we are guessing her weight!!).
You might find it interesting that the skeleton of an eagle weighs less than half as much as its feathers.
8. Cassius asks: How far can an eagle fly without stopping?
That is an interesting question Cassius. Most eagles don’t fly great distances unless they are migrating or don’t have a territory and are traveling to different food locations. Generally they remain in their territory which is less than a two to five mile radius.
While these non-migrating eagles may not go great distances, Bald Eagles can soar for long periods of time using the thermal air currents. These are updrafts that hold them aloft like a kite.
However, eagles that have been tracked have been known to fly non-stop 100-200 miles. Your class might be interested in checking out the flight paths of an eagle banded and fitted with a transmitter who kept returning to the Caloosahatchee River area (which is the river close to Harriet and M15’s nest). The biologists named this eagle Caloosahatchee and at the time the transmitter stopped working this eagle had flown 18101 km.
Here is the link: www.seaturtle.org/tracking/index.shtml?tag_id=74389a&...
You might be interested in this information however. In 1987 an exhausted Bald Eagle was discovered by a national parks worker in a northern heath (Kerry) in the country of Ireland. It is thought a storm blew it out to sea, and the bird struggled across the Atlantic Ocean with some strong winds. The airline Aer Lingus returned the bird back to the United States. Wonder how many frequent flyer miles that eagle earned?!
Here is a copy of the article they ran about this eagle: flic.kr/p/235B3vb
9. James asks: How do the eagles build a nest?
Most Bald Eagles and birds of many species are excellent at nest building, James. Nest building is a combination of both instinct and learned skill.
Eagles generally pick remote areas near rivers or coasts for their nests (aerie). With the loss of habitat and greater numbers, eagles are also becoming more urban and building closer to human activity - such as Harriet and M15.
Eagles generally build their nests in tall trees that offer them some shelter, an open view and easy flight access.
Since eagles are large birds and are long-lived, the nest size must be in proportion and accommodate years of use. Nests are rarely built in the topmost branches of the host tree, but a bit lower since the upper boughs can’t support the huge structure the eagles build. The eagles usually start the nest with some major branches with forks in them about 12 feet from the top. If the stick placement sticks, the pair will continue to bring in sticks. Smaller branches will form the rim of the inside bowl and the spaces are filled in with smaller vegetation including grasses and pine. They will continue to add nesting material throughout the nesting season as the activity of the young will require repairs.
10. Sophia asks: How big is their wingspan when it is stretched out?
Sophia, an adult’s wingspan is approximately 6-7 feet wide. Imagine standing in a door at your home - an eagle’s wingspan could cover that door from top to bottom!
11. Dana asks: How good is an eagle's eyesight?
The eagle has excellent eyesight, Dana. They have 2 centers of focus that allows them to see both forward and to the side at the same time. An eagle’s eyesight is 8-10 times better than a human’s. But it isn’t the actual magnification - it is the ability to see details. An eagle can see a 12” fish a mile away!