Eagle Country 1-15-26. Willow & Gus; Prey Delivery, Pellets, Willow Tries to Move a Stick!

This is the eagle nest of Bald Eagles Blaze and Skye, located in SW Florida. Blaze is not here this season (has not been seen in months), and Skye has not yet bonded with a new male. There have been multiple eagles of varying ages in the territory, and some chasing between males vying for the territory. Without a bonding/bonded eagle pair, the nest was not being used by eagles.

This video is a compilation of views from 1-14-26/1-15-26. Video opens with Willow on the nest incubating egg #1. The female does all of the incubating, brooding, and feeding of young owlets. The male is the food provider, guards the territory, and watches over when Willow takes breaks.

Video includes Willow caring for egg #1, with egg views. Willow tries to moves a stick that is too close to the nest cup. Willow preens, and gets a fancy down feather stuck to her bill. CamOps takes us to Gus's roost spot (one of them), where he spent the day on 1-14-26. We have great views of him as he stretches, getting ready for evening flight and hunting. He casts a pellet before taking off. In the morning, CamOps finds Willow eating. This appears to be rabbit prey, delivered by Gus (out of cam view). Willow heads back to the nest when done, and Gus is there, watching over. Video closest with Willow casting a pellet. Time stamps below, if interested.

Here is the Tickcounter for the egg, made for us by LadyDeeagle55: https://www.tickcounter.com/countup/4...

Digestion in Owls: https://www.owlpages.com/owls/article...

Great Horned Owl: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/G...

Gular fluttering: With the warm Florida temperatures, the owls use gular fluttering to keep cool/thermoregulate. Gular fluttering uses open mouth breathing, rapidly vibrating the moist membranes, which causes evaporation and heat loss.

Time Stamps: Provided in DVR time; actual time is on the cam clock.
1-14-26
00:00. Opening.
00:05. Willow incubating.
00:18. Willow preens, cares for her egg.
01:00. Willow tries to move a stick away from her nest cup.
03:37. Willow preens, gets a fancy down feather stuck to her bill.
05:05. CamOps takes us to where Gus's roost spot.
05:58. Gus, all tucked in, AM.
06:20. Gus, out in the open, PM.
06:53. Gus stretches, getting ready for evening flight & hunting.
07:16. Gus's long legs!
07:42. Gus, all puffed up, preening.
08:25. Gus, more stretching.
08:55. Gus casts a pellet.
09:14. Gus, more stretching.
1-15-26
09:46. Willow, after the overnight rain, hoots to Gus.
10:11. Willow, off to meet up with Gus.
10:34. CamOps finds Willow eating; Bayhead Cam.
11:44. Willow swallows what appears to be a rabbit leg.
13:00. Willow/right heads to the nest; Gus on left, watching over.
13:35. Egg view.
13:45. Willow first, then Gus, Nest Cam view when Willow returned to incubating.
14:54. Willow.
15:19. Willow casts a pellet, slo-mo.
15:39. Views of the pellet as Willow moves it.


There are six cams with amazing views, including two cams with views of the water. Multiple species of birds can be seen on a daily basis, as well as alligators, turtles, and the cattle on the farm. Varying ages of eagles are seen on a daily basis, perching, fishing, bathing, and going about their daily activity. If you have not seen the Eagle Country cams, please check them out! The live chat is open 24/7 on the nest cam with an excellent team of moderators. This is a great place to learn about eagle behavior!

Eagle Country channel:    / @eaglecountry  

Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/FPd_RbAD...
Bayhead Cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/sklPL01m...
Cow Cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/FtVQBxXP...
Multi-View: https://www.youtube.com/live/wHJxg80t...
River Cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/y-9k9oLD...
River Cam2: https://www.youtube.com/live/y-9k9oLD...

From the Nest Cam description:

Thanks for joining the adventure of Season #8 at Eagle Country! We are glad you are here!

https://eaglecountry.net/
  / eaglecountry.  .
  / eaglecountrycam  
  / eaglecountr.  .

If you'd like to help keep the Cams going you can give here, thanks!
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...

#eaglecountrybaldeagles #floridabaldeagles