SWFL Eagles ~ Bobblehead BonkFest While F23 Tries To Feed Breakfast! 😲 E24 BONKS Mom Twice! 12.19.24

The video opens with a beautiful sunrise from the 360 cam and M15 on the attic and F23 on the nest with the E's just waking up. M15 flies to the outer branch and F23 gets up to begin the first feeding of the day. The E's begin their bobblehead bonkfest right away - both going at it for nearly two minutes - pretty equally matched. Then E24 gets some bites while E25 plots its next move. Both E's bonk one another - E25 gets some jabs in there and E24 responds with a bigger bonk. E24 even bonks Mom and grabs her head feathers two times! 😲

Mom will offer too big of pieces which cause the E's to grab at the food then bonk one another. Mom offers the huge fish tail and that sets E24 off to bonk E25. Mom swallows it. Then the feeding is over- F23 managed to get some bites in there for both E's along the way!

Sibling rivalry is seen on most Bald Eagles nests in various degrees and can be an important lesson learned. If an eaglet can't survive in a nest where food is provided, the chances of them surviving in the wild when they are on their own is not as good. Survival rates for first year eagles can be rather low as some never learn to hunt for themselves and are not as adapt at stealing food from others.

Sibling rivalry varies between nests - depending quite a bit on the amount of food provided and the genders. When food is in short supply the less dominant eaglets may not survive. Even when food isn’t a problem, it isn’t uncommon to see some sibling rivalry – lessons learned which will help them cope when they are on their own.

The eaglets are now establishing the pecking order on the nest. The first hatch is usually the aggressor and will peck its younger sibling until it submits and allows the older eaglet to eat its fill first at feedings. Usually after the oldest eaglet has eaten and is full, the younger will eat. This is why the parents will offer multiple feedings throughout the day to ensure that both chicks get fed. This is all normal eagle behavior and it is instinctual. This sibling rivalry teaches them survival skills that they will use in the wild. It is survival of the fittest.

If you are sensitive to the bonking, it is okay to not watch at times. Today was mild sibling rivalry but it can become worse as they establish that pecking order on the nest. Normally the aggression will start to subside in a few weeks. Thank you for watching!

To see the highlights below, please click on the timestamps to advance to that portion of the video.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Opening 360 View M15 on attic F23 on nest with E's
01:00 - 360 - F23 begins feeding & let the bobblehead bonkfest begin!
02:43 Cam 1 - feeding/bonkfest - they both are pretty equally matched
06:04 E24 eating - E25 goes to bonk but misses
07:32 E25 bonks E24 - 24 retaliates
09:05 E24 bonks Mom on head
11:22 E25 jabs E24
11:49 E24 bonks Mom's head a second time!
13:36 Mom offers big fish tail - sets off E24 bonking
14:25 Mom swallows tail
16:40 the bonkfest feeding is over! Whew!

Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk

Be sure to check out & bookmark Elfruer's website to learn more about the upcoming weekly milestones we will be looking forward too! EAGLET DAILY PHOTOS AND MILESTONES
https://www.elfruler.com/?page_id=578

Season 13 History
Egg #1 laid Nov 8th at 2:38pm
Egg #2 laid Nov 11th at 6:15pm
Egg #1 first pip seen Dec 13th at 09:40:26am
E24 hatches Dec 14th at 16:01:35pm
Egg #2 First pip seen Dec 15 at 15:06:53pm
E25 hatches Dec 17th at 05:48:26am

Thank you SWFEC , hosted by Dick Pritchett Real Estate, for allowing us the opportunity to view these amazing eagles.
#southwestfloridaeaglecam #baldeagles

SWFEC main webpage: https://dickpritchettrealestate.com/

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