My first trip back (June 7, 2024) to the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma after my week-long visit to the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge turned out to be awesome.
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge has a large dead tree that most of us photographers call the Eagle Tree because it seems to always have a Bald Eagle perched in it. On this day I observed and photographed a young Bald Eagle feeding on a catfish. I was even able to get a video, which I will share on this blog post.
When I first saw this young Bald Eagle in the tree, there was an adult Bald Eagle perched nearby. I drove away and came back later to see the young Bald Eagle feeding on the catfish. I’m not sure if the adult brought the fish to the young Bald Eagle. I wished I knew and had been around to photograph it if it had. I’m also not sure how old this young Bald Eagle is, but witnessing its behavior was fascinating.
How Long Do Bald Eagles Continue to Feed Their Young After They Leave the Nest?
The Fledgling Stage
Once Bald Eagle chicks, known as eaglets, grow strong enough, they take their first flight, a process called fledging. This typically occurs when the eaglets are about 10 to 12 weeks old. Fledging marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, but it doesn’t mean they are entirely independent just yet.
Parental Care Post-Fledging
After leaving the nest, young Bald Eagles enter a transitional phase where they still rely on their parents for food and guidance. This period can last several weeks to a few months. During this time, the parents continue to feed their fledglings, teaching them essential survival skills such as hunting and foraging.
Key Points:
- Duration: Parental feeding and care usually continue for 4 to 12 weeks after fledging.
- Learning to Hunt: During this time, fledglings practice hunting and gradually become more proficient.
- Gradual Independence: As they improve their hunting skills, the young eagles become less dependent on their parents for food.
Transition to Independence
The journey to full independence varies among individual eagles. Some may become self-sufficient sooner, while others take longer. Factors influencing this transition include:
- Availability of food sources: In areas with abundant prey, fledglings may learn to hunt more quickly.
- Individual learning curves: Just like humans, some eagles grasp skills faster than others.
- Environmental conditions: Weather and habitat can impact the ease with which young eagles find food.
Bald Eagles continue to feed and care for their young well after they leave the nest, typically for a period of 4 to 12 weeks. This time is crucial for fledglings to develop the skills necessary for independent survival. For those passionate about wildlife photography, this period is an excellent time to witness and document the fledglings’ journey to independence.
Understanding and observing these behaviors not only enriches our knowledge of Bald Eagles but also deepens our appreciation for the complexities of their lives. So, grab your camera, head to the nearest Bald Eagle habitat, and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature.
Steve, can you say what this bird was taking so much time to eat? was it the eyes, the brain, or….was it opening up a path into the head? It certainly wasn’t rushing to eat the fish flesh.
thx, Sue
I think you could be right in reference to eating the eyes. I think it was going after the soft spots. What I thought interesting is that it did not finish eating the fish. It left shortly after I took the video.