Intruder Photo Composite 02-11-2023
Please note photo number in composite photo for reference. You can also view each individual photo by clicking on other photos in the album.
On Saturday, February 11 at around 3:42pm M15 returned to the nest with a fish (photo 1), followed closely by an interested eagle. There was quite a bit of speculation that the second eagle was Harriet, but M15’s behavior quickly put that to rest - it was an intruder. While it was intense to observe, it was an up close view of the male protecting his nest.
There are so many Bald Eagle behaviors that we are not usually able to view. Thanks to the cameras that have been installed, there are many behaviors which biologists and citizen scientists have been able to observe. We were all able to observe an interesting exchange between the nest owner, his young and an intruder. After viewing the recordings carefully and consulting with a couple of biologists, we would like to share what we all watched on the live cams - thanks to the Pritchett family.
First - the age of the intruder (photo 2). The dark plumage, with some dark feathers in the white feathers and the color of the eyes suggest this eagle is approximately 6-7 years old. The color of the eyes (lighter yellow) seems to suggest an older eagle - not newly matured (5 years).
The gender is not really known. During the altercation it was hard to judge the size. There was only one time where both M15 and the intruder were in the same frame at approximately the same distance from the camera (photo 4). That frame suggests the eagle may have been a small female. But there is no way to know for sure. The camera can distort the size depending on where the eagle is perched.
We do feel this was more about food - not about harming the eaglets. Regardless of gender, the intruder did seem to be rather thin and most likely was attempting a steal from M15 - following him to the nest. At first M15 dropped down to the nest and mantled over the eaglets to protect them (photo 3). But as time went by and the intruder didn’t go to the nest, M15 decided to take the temptation away and began to feed his eaglets and himself. Can’t steal what is in the crop!
As the fish was consumed, it appeared the intruder tried to make a grab for what remained of the fish and may have knocked E22 over before landing on the west rails (or E22 may have ducked down instinctively). A stand-off between M15 and the intruder took seconds before the intruder appeared to be interested in the nestovers on the west side of the nest. M15 wasn’t going to let that happen and quickly engaged the eagle; eventually knocking the eagle off the nest. It is also possible the movement of the intruder closer to the eaglets triggered M15’s response.
The intruder did return to the nest tree (east branch); M15 kept himself between the intruder and the nest by perching on the attic (photo 5). At 4:40pm the intruder flew off.
What was observed at SWFEC plays out all over Bald Eagle territories. Each day is about survival. Many times it involves food; other times it involves claiming territory and choosing mates.
Photos property of SWFEC.
Intruder Photo Composite 02-11-2023
Please note photo number in composite photo for reference. You can also view each individual photo by clicking on other photos in the album.
On Saturday, February 11 at around 3:42pm M15 returned to the nest with a fish (photo 1), followed closely by an interested eagle. There was quite a bit of speculation that the second eagle was Harriet, but M15’s behavior quickly put that to rest - it was an intruder. While it was intense to observe, it was an up close view of the male protecting his nest.
There are so many Bald Eagle behaviors that we are not usually able to view. Thanks to the cameras that have been installed, there are many behaviors which biologists and citizen scientists have been able to observe. We were all able to observe an interesting exchange between the nest owner, his young and an intruder. After viewing the recordings carefully and consulting with a couple of biologists, we would like to share what we all watched on the live cams - thanks to the Pritchett family.
First - the age of the intruder (photo 2). The dark plumage, with some dark feathers in the white feathers and the color of the eyes suggest this eagle is approximately 6-7 years old. The color of the eyes (lighter yellow) seems to suggest an older eagle - not newly matured (5 years).
The gender is not really known. During the altercation it was hard to judge the size. There was only one time where both M15 and the intruder were in the same frame at approximately the same distance from the camera (photo 4). That frame suggests the eagle may have been a small female. But there is no way to know for sure. The camera can distort the size depending on where the eagle is perched.
We do feel this was more about food - not about harming the eaglets. Regardless of gender, the intruder did seem to be rather thin and most likely was attempting a steal from M15 - following him to the nest. At first M15 dropped down to the nest and mantled over the eaglets to protect them (photo 3). But as time went by and the intruder didn’t go to the nest, M15 decided to take the temptation away and began to feed his eaglets and himself. Can’t steal what is in the crop!
As the fish was consumed, it appeared the intruder tried to make a grab for what remained of the fish and may have knocked E22 over before landing on the west rails (or E22 may have ducked down instinctively). A stand-off between M15 and the intruder took seconds before the intruder appeared to be interested in the nestovers on the west side of the nest. M15 wasn’t going to let that happen and quickly engaged the eagle; eventually knocking the eagle off the nest. It is also possible the movement of the intruder closer to the eaglets triggered M15’s response.
The intruder did return to the nest tree (east branch); M15 kept himself between the intruder and the nest by perching on the attic (photo 5). At 4:40pm the intruder flew off.
What was observed at SWFEC plays out all over Bald Eagle territories. Each day is about survival. Many times it involves food; other times it involves claiming territory and choosing mates.
Photos property of SWFEC.