As we approach weeks five and six of the eaglet’s life at Dulles Wetlands, many changes continue, and the eaglet begins to take on a look that is more like a full-grown Bald Eagle.  Feathers are coming in, new skills are being developed and less parent supervision is needed.

Week 5 (29 to 35 days)

• If there were more than one eaglet, sibling rivalry would decrease, though food competition remains throughout the eaglets’ time on the nest and beyond
• An eaglet:
  • Begins playing with sticks
  • Is capable of fully standing
  • Is aware of its surroundings, in and outside the nest
  • Begins tracking objects and birds outside the nest
• The tarsi (the feet or lowest part of the legs) are full size, and the foot pad is nearly full size
• Imprinting is nearly complete

Photo courtesy of American Eagle Foundation

Week 6 (36 to 42 days)

• Dark juvenile feathers are growing in, changing the appearance of the eaglet
• An eaglet:
  • Is nearly as large as the parent
  • Is very proficient at standing and walking
  • Starts attempting to tear at food, which requires the eaglet to learn to use its foot and talons to hold the food down
  • Imitates parents in nest duties, moving sticks, arranging nesting material
  • Spends a lot of time preening its feathers
  • Begins holding things in its talons, learning to grasp and let loose
  • Begins flapping its wings and building the muscles needed for flying
• Most of the growth now taking place is feather growth
• The parents decrease their time at the nest, with the eaglet being on its own more

References:
American Eagle Foundation
Raptor Resource Project

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