My Afternoon With the Pearland Bald Eagles

Intro

On February 17th, I was fortunate enough to spend a few hours with the Bald Eagles nesting in Pearland, Texas. This is the second year for the young adults to use this nest. Last year they raised one chick and this year they have two chicks in the nest. It was quite a thrill to watch these magnificent birds tending their nest and interacting with each other.

Field Notes

When I arrived at about 4pm, the adults were not in sight. The chicks were in the nest and would peek out from time to time.

There were two other photographers setting up to enjoy the show. One of the photographers spotted one of the adult Bald Eagles in a tree about 100 yards east of the nest. The adult took flight and circled in front of us several times. We noticed that it was carrying something and chimping revealed it to be a twig.

Based on seeing both adults later in a tree together, I suspect this one is the male. He was somewhat smaller. He carried that twig for quite some time.

There were several other birds flying in the area – the American Kestrel and Mallard came close enough for at least an ID shot. There were several gulls also.

The female Eagle took off and headed Northwest over to one of the retention ponds. She finally returned and was carrying the leftovers from her meal. One of the other photographers thought sure it was an American Coot based on the feet, but I couldn’t tell what it was. The chicks were thrilled to see Mom arrive with dinner. She plopped into the nest, looked around and then took off again, leaving the chicks to eat on their own. Tough Love. The chick on the left side of the nest worked away at getting something to eat on that carcass. I never did see the one on the right eat anything. I hope it will be okay.

Mom flew over to a dead pine tree just a few yards to camera left (North) of the nest. This tree seems to be a favorite perch for the adults.

Where is Dad all this time? He found another prized twig. What’s up with that? Is he trying to impress his lady with his nest-building skills? If so, I’m thinking she might be more impressed with some food for the chicks, but what do I know …

 

See. I’m no eagle behavioral scientist, but I don’t think Mrs. Eagle is too pleased with Mr. Stick Gatherer. He sat there a while with her and then he flew off to join the chicks.

But, while Dad was tending the chicks, an American Kestrel decided to land in the same tree as the female Eagle – you know, the one that just ate an American Coot!

Look at the sequence of photos. As long as the Eagle is looking away, the Kestrel perches normally. When the Eagle looks his way, he scrunches down and hides behind a branch. Does he really think that Eagle doesn’t see him? It happened several times. Every time the Eagle looked toward him, he would hide. Amusing!

While the Kestrel and Eagle are playing their games, Dad has joined the chicks. Again, I might be totally missing it, but don’t they look like they are thinking, “Where’s the Beef?”  One of them has decided he might just go get his own dinner. Awe, in spite of no dinner and just a bunch of darn twigs, the little guys give the old man a hug.

It was a nice end to a special day.