I want to reiterate that my American Bald Eagle knowledge comes from extensive research through published literature and from self observations for over 5 years.
I can clearly see a difference in these two eaglets from viewing this video. It is very obvious to me that J3 is a male and that J4 is a female. It makes sense as well, J3 has always been more aggressive (male trait), whereas J4 has always been more docile (female trait). The size difference is the real giveaway here. J4 is larger than J3 even though she was born about a week later than him. The females are always larger than the males.
J3 really stretches his wings in this one. There was a head wind into the nest, and he was taking full advantage of it. Practicing his lift and flapping.
We get to see one parent (J2, male adult Eagle) at the beginning of the video delivering a new branch to the nest. We have had some severe weather the last few days and nights, and he is reinforcing his home to be ready to take on the storms. After last years tragic loss of his original nest, he is taking extra precautions this year.
The eaglets will fledge around day 82-86. In about 3 weeks, if all goes well, we will be saying goodbye to these two as they lift off and go make a life of their own. That will be a day to cheer about.
In this video, you will see:
0:00 intro - eaglets in nest ( J3 male, first born - left / J4 female, second born - right )
0:10 J2 (male adult Eagle a.k.a Dad) flies into the nest with a new branch. For the next 1 mn 40 sec. we watch as he places the branch near J4 (youngest eaglet, female) and then begins to consume a meal that was already in the nest. As he is eating, J4 starts to rearrange some of the branches. Eventually dad sees her with one and takes it from her to put it back in the correct spot, lol. 'darn kids'
1:51 J2 leaves the nest
2:06 J3 (eldest eaglet, male) begins to practice his flying skills, hopping and flapping his wings.
He does this for the next two minutes as J4 lays down and tries to stay out of the way
4:00 finally worn out, J3 decides to lay down next to J4
4:47 close up of brother and sister
4:55 both arise out of the nest bowl
5:40 J3 is back to practice, flapping into the wind. Eventually he settles back down and the two interact with each other.
7:42 J3 lays down as J4 stays upright
8:06 ending, J4 watching out over the world
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