Okay Eagle people. I have some pics and a question.

[Are_grits_groceries]

I took this picture a couple of days ago. Both Eagles were hanging around the nest which was unusual. I caught this shot of both of them feeding the kids.


This was taken at 7:30am. The eaglet in the front got no food.


This is how the eaglets look today. The one in front does not sit up much. The Mama was just feeding them and that eaglet didn't get any food. The other eaglet is also pecking her some.


Is there something wrong with that eaglet? I can't decide what's going on.

[clydefrand]

1. The eaglet in the front

is weaker than the other one. The other one is taking all the food.
It won't be very many days until the weak eaglet will die. Hate it, but that is
how nature calls for the survival of the fittest.

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. That's my take on it.

Nature isn't sentimental. I'm not tripping over it because I knew there was a possibility of seeing something unpleasant.
Hate it too though. Sigh.....

[Brickbat]

3. That one may be a few days younger; they don't hatch on the same day.

If the smaller one is getting pecked, there may be an issue of food dominance.

[In_The_Wind]

4. What you are describing might be a failure to thrive.

I was watching since you posted today's OP.

One of the babies is active while the other is moving slower.

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. The weaker one just sat up some but then just lay back down.

Today was the first time I have seen that eaglet not get any food. It may have happened before though.

[In_The_Wind]

6. Watch for a change around the eyes.

I have a flock of very small doves living in my home. It's sad when I see a baby going down hill.

Weakness in the neck and signs of dehydration around the eyes are the first signs the baby is not gonna make it.

[RobinA]

7. I Have Seen

both getting food. I thought the weaker one was starting to look somewhat stronger. Take a look at the Minnesota eagles. Those babies are feathered out and WAY older and bigger than these two...and still utterly helpless and pretty weak.

[brucefan]

8. Is this the one in Hanover Pa?

If it is,the eaglet in the front was fed a little this morning.

[Are_grits_groceries]

9. Good.

That eaglet looks better at times. She gives it her all, but she is definitely weaker. The other eaglet was really pecking her at one point.

[66 dmhlt]

10. This is from the live Eagle Cam website, right?

http://hdontap.com/index.php/video/stream/bald-eagle-live-cam

As of this moment, they're both being fed - and look pretty good to me.

[hedgehog]

11. 25 some years raising poultry chicks here-

In a group of 25-40 healthy looking chicks, it seems I always lose 1 or 2, even as late as week 2. Putting together a living being is far harder than any of us realize.

[a kennedy]

12. the three eaglets in Decorah are almost 10 days apart from 1st to 3rd birth....

the 3rd is always last to get food but in this family all three grow up all strong and all healthy. Although last years birds had some terrible accidents....you can read info here:

2014 Egg/Hatch/Fledge Dates

D18: 2/23/14 4:55 PM – Hatch 4/2/14 9:22 AM (38 days) – Fledge 6/18/14 (77 days) Electrocuted 7/8/14 Male
D19 (Four): 2/26/14 5:33 PM – Hatch 4/3/14 11:29 PM (36 days) – Fledge 6/18/14 (76 days) Female fitted with transmitter Electrocuted 3/2/15 -- Details can be found in this RRP Blog.
D20 (Soar): 3/2/14 6:43 PM – Hatch 4/7/14 10:42 AM (36 days) – Fledge 6/20/14 (74 days) Rescued w/broken wing 6/22/14 Male – non-releasable will become education eagle. As of 12/12 this eaglet is now an educational eagle (in training) by Kay Neumann and will be called "DECORAH". He has a permanent home at S.O.A.R.

[In_The_Wind]

13. Around 10:15 this morning the second (smaller) baby was active and moving normally.