GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

While they're still in the nest, they're "eaglets." After they fledge, they become "juveniles" and stay "immies" until they begin to grow their white head feathers. Then they're referred to as "sub-adults."

Sometimes, when people see an "immie" they confuse it with a Golden Eagle. Some are even confused with Red-tailed Hawks. Here are some pics my son and I have taken of immature Bald Eagles along rivers and lakes in NE PA and the NY Catskills. (See also: http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle7.html for some comparisons.)

#1


#2


#3 - Taking a nap,


#4 - Flying high.


#5


#6


#7 - A fishing lesson in progress.


#8 - Caught a fish; transferred from talon to beak.


#9 - Catching minnows in shallows. DCNR confirmed not a Golden Eagle.


#10 - Looking for minnows in shallows along a river.


#11


#12 - Still an eaglet in the nest with parent.


#13 - Exercising wings. Lift off from nest.


#14


#15 - Getting closer to fledge.


#16


#17 - Scratching thin ice to get at minnows.


#18


#19 - This eaglet fell from the nest, we rescued it, sent it to rehab because parents weren't feeding it.


#20 - Eaglet was released a day after its sibling fledged. Brown eye turns yellow as age progresses.

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

Wow!! I just learned something new...Thanks for the education of the young eagles...your photos are stunning..and the "immies" have a long way to go before they are beautiful adult eagles

GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

Glad I could help and thanks for looking. We topped 200 active nests in PA last year. Each pair of Bald Eagles will produce 1 to 3 eaglets. 3 is rare. The norm is 2. Only 50% of eaglets survive their first year. Most die of starvation because they never learn how to hunt and fish. Others from misc. causes. If they make it, they mature in 4.5 to 5 years.

Archy Loc: Lake Hamilton, Florida

:thumbup: :thumbup:

GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

Thanks, Archy.