Minnesota Bald Eagle Lays First Egg Of 2021
St Paul (KROC AM News) - It may have been a cold day but a Minnesota bald eagle produced her first egg of the year this week.
The eagle’s nest is monitored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through the agency’s EagleCam program.
This is the update posted on the DNR's Facebook page:
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The DNR’s earlier update on the eagle nest was released Jan 29:
Once again, life on our eagle nest has changed. Our resident female is still on territory, but the male with which she reared three chicks last year, has not returned. She has chosen a new, younger mate. We know this eagle is young because he has yet to develop a full white head and tail. His head and tail appear a little dirty, with flecks of brown mixed in with the white.
The pair have been together for several months now and appear to have bonded, as well as mated. Their activity on the nest has been limited in recent days. For several weeks, the two could be spotted making upgrades to their humble abode. Moving sticks, bringing in new "furniture" and grasses are all part of the courtship behaviors that eagles engage in during the mating season. Other behaviors are observed as well. The resident female took a while to warm up to her new mate. Nibbling on his beak or playfully nipping can be considered part of the courtship process. Gathering sticks, making improvements and later, bringing food to the nest are actions the female judges to be desirable in a worthy choice for a mate.
A group known as Friends of Minnesota Nongame Eagle Cam has provided numerous updates on the nesting bald eagles, which have been named Harry and Nancy.
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