Big Bear🦅Jackie & Spirit Weather The Storm Together❤️️Waterproof Feathers At Work❄️2022-04-22

Bald Eagles are well equipped to live in cold climates. The species is the most populous in Alaska
Spirit is 49 days old and has developed a lot of upper contour feathers that allowed him/her to stay dry. The thick thermal down allows him/her to thermoregulate and stay warm even in sub-freezing temperatures.

Nevertheless, Jackie being the super Mom she is, protected Spirit overnight, covering him/her from the elements.😊

Preening gland (uropygial gland) is located at the base of the tail, on the lower back, just in front of the tail feathers. It secretes a thick, transparent, complex oil (preening oil) consisting primarily of diester waxes (uropygiols), fats and fatty acids. It performs many functions in the bird including water proofing, and keeping the skin, feathers and beak supple; the oil is said by some to have an antibacterial function. During preening, an eagle transfers this oil to its feathers by rubbing its head and beak against the oil gland and then spreading the oil over the feathers on the rest of the body.


Spirit hatched 3/3 16:14
The remaining unhatched egg may break due to activity in the nest become part of it eventually

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