Latest news with #fledging
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Big Bear eaglet takes flight from nest in California
Big Bear's famed bald eagle parents, Jackie and Shadow, are getting closer to being empty-nesters as one of their two eaglets took flight from the comforts of the nest on Monday. At about 10:46 a.m., one of the eaglets was perched on a branch when she appeared to jump off, flap her wings and fly away. Friends of Big Bear Valley Executive Director Sandy Steers told KCAL News on Monday that it was Sunny who left the nest, while Gizmo stayed behind. "I feel elated that Sunny made it and is flying and is successful," Steers said. It's not yet clear where Sunny flew off too, but young eagles oftentimes return to the nest relatively quickly after their first flight, Steers said. The eaglets were born in March and are around 12 weeks old, making it prime-fledging time. Viewers of the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam have been anticipating the moment when eaglets Sunny and Gizmo would brave flight. "Fledge watch" began around May 13, as bald eagles are between 10 to 12 weeks old when they leave their nest. One of the Big Bear eaglets appeared to take flight around 10:46 a.m. on Monday. Friends of Big Bear Valley Sunny's flight on Monday was the result of days of practice. Friends of Big Bear Valley noted on Facebook posts that the pair had been flapping and jumping, preparing for their flight as they stood on the outer rails of their nest. "The birds show signs of flight as they start flapping their wings hard and fast enough to feel their feet lift slightly off the nest. They will then likely start venturing out onto the outer branches of the nest tree and also practice there," FOBBV wrote on Facebook. Once confident, they will take off, likely near a perch tree where Jackie and Shadow have been hanging out. As of Monday, Gizmo was yet to leave the nest with her sister. Steers said Gizmo was slower developing than Sunny, so it's not yet clear if she'll be ready in the next few days. What's next for the eaglets? Gizmo and Sunny were both determined to be female, based on quick growth. Both will remain in the habitat for one to three months after fledging, and FOBBV said they will likely be in and out of the nest during this time. "By fall, they will take off on their own. Since they aren't banded, we will have no way to know if they stay together, or for how long," FOBBV wrote on Facebook. It is also not known if they will recognize each other. The organization noted that there is some evidence that bald eagles can memorize, but there have not been any specific studies to verify that information. Most eagles reach maturity around 5 years old, with a white head and tail and bright yellow beaks and eyes.
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Big Bear eaglet takes flight from nest
Big Bear's famed bald eagle parents, Jackie and Shadow, are getting closer to being empty-nesters as one of their two eaglets took flight from the comforts of the nest on Monday. At about 10:46 a.m., one of the eaglet was perched on a branch when she appeared to jump off, flap her wings and fly away. The eaglets were born in March and are around 12 weeks old, making it prime-fledging time. Viewers of the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam have been anticipating the moment when eaglets Sunny and Gizmo would brave flight. "Fledge watch" began around May 13, as bald eagles are between 10 to 12 weeks old when they leave their nest. One of the Big Bear eaglets appeared to take flight around 10:46 a.m. on Monday. Friends of Big Bear Valley Friends of Big Bear Valley noted on Facebook posts that the pair had been flapping and jumping, practicing for their flight as they stood on the outer rails of their nest. "The birds show signs of flight as they start flapping their wings hard and fast enough to feel their feet lift slightly off the nest. They will then likely start venturing out onto the outer branches of the nest tree and also practice there," FOBBV wrote on Facebook. Once confident, they will take off, likely near a perch tree where Jackie and Shadow have been hanging out. What's next for the eaglets? Gizmo and Sunny were both determined to be female, based on quick growth, and Sunny's sex is still unknown. Both will remain in the habitat for one to three months after fledging, and FOBBV said they will likely be in and out of the nest during this time. "By fall, they will take off on their own. Since they aren't banded, we will have no way to know if they stay together, or for how long," FOBBV wrote on Facebook. It is also not known if they will recognize each other. The organization noted that there is some evidence that bald eagles can memorize, but there have not been any specific studies to verify that information. Most eagles reach maturity around 5 years old, with a white head and tail and bright yellow beaks and eyes.
CNA
28-05-2025
- General
- CNA
First peregrine falcon chicks hatch and fledge in Singapore after efforts to help breeding
CHICKS FLEDGED The older chick fledged on May 18, while its sibling fledged on May 21, said NParks. This refers to young birds growing feathers and learning how to fly. However, both birds were found on the ground floor shortly after they each fledged and were brought to NParks' Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation for health assessments. 'X-rays for both chicks showed no fracture, and the first fledgling was released back to its nest on May 20 and the younger one on May 23,' said NParks. The older fledgling has shown that it is now capable of stronger flight and gaining elevation. On May 23, it was spotted with its parents, perched on the nearby One Raffles Place. The next day, it was seen on the building again, but at a higher spot. 'While the fledglings are gaining strength and confidence in flying, they may accidentally find themselves on the ground again,' said NParks. It advised the public to contact NParks' Animal Response Centre at 1800 476 1600 if any of the fledglings are seen on the ground. FUTURE PLANS The research team placed temperature and humidity sensors in both recesses on the sides of the OCBC Centre on Apr 30. 'This can help determine if there are microclimatic preferences in nest site selection, based on the prevailing temperature or humidity, which would vary at different times of the year,' explained NParks. 'As Singapore's only known breeding pair of peregrine falcons, these birds provide invaluable research opportunities,' said Dr Malcolm Soh, the principal researcher on NParks' wildlife management research team. 'Their presence allows us to gather crucial data about peregrine falcon breeding biology in tropical regions, where their ecology remains poorly understood.' One particular area of interest is learning what nesting conditions, such as temperature and nesting substrates, are suited for peregrine falcons to breed in urban areas, he said. NParks said that the team will also be reviewing CCTV footage to determine the types of prey caught by the falcons, with Dr Soh adding that the prey species captured by the falcons are expected to be different from those caught by birds nesting in natural habitats. 'By studying their breeding patterns and foraging preferences, we can develop more effective conservation strategies to support their successful adaptation to Singapore's urban landscape,' Dr Soh said.
CNA
28-05-2025
- General
- CNA
First peregrine falcon chicks hatched and fledged in Singapore after efforts to help breeding
CHICKS FLEDGED The older chick fledged on May 18, while its sibling fledged on May 21, said NParks. This refers to young birds growing feathers and learning how to fly. However, both birds were found on the ground floor shortly after they each fledged and were brought to NParks' Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation for health assessments. 'X-rays for both chicks showed no fracture, and the first fledgling was released back to its nest on May 20 and the younger one on May 23,' said NParks. The older fledgling has shown that it is now capable of stronger flight and gaining elevation. On May 23, it was spotted with its parents, perched on the nearby One Raffles Place. The next day, it was seen on the building again, but at a higher spot. 'While the fledglings are gaining strength and confidence in flying, they may accidentally find themselves on the ground again,' said NParks. It advised the public to contact NParks' Animal Response Centre at 1800 476 1600 if any of the fledglings are seen on the ground. FUTURE PLANS The research team placed temperature and humidity sensors in both recesses on the sides of the OCBC Centre on Apr 30. 'This can help determine if there are microclimatic preferences in nest site selection, based on the prevailing temperature or humidity, which would vary at different times of the year,' explained NParks. 'As Singapore's only known breeding pair of peregrine falcons, these birds provide invaluable research opportunities,' said Dr Malcolm Soh, the principal researcher on NParks' wildlife management research team. 'Their presence allows us to gather crucial data about peregrine falcon breeding biology in tropical regions, where their ecology remains poorly understood.' One particular area of interest is learning what nesting conditions, such as temperature and nesting substrates, are suited for peregrine falcons to breed in urban areas, he said. NParks said that the team will also be reviewing CCTV footage to determine the types of prey caught by the falcons, with Dr Soh adding that the prey species captured by the falcons are expected to be different from those caught by birds nesting in natural habitats. 'By studying their breeding patterns and foraging preferences, we can develop more effective conservation strategies to support their successful adaptation to Singapore's urban landscape,' Dr Soh said.
CBS News
09-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Big Bear eaglets getting ready to fly from nest for first time, wildlife organization says
Big Bear eaglets getting ready to fly from nest for first time, wildlife organization says Big Bear eaglets getting ready to fly from nest for first time, wildlife organization says Big Bear eaglets getting ready to fly from nest for first time, wildlife organization says The Big Bear eaglets will soon be ready to stretch their wings and fly from their parents' nest in coming weeks, an exciting but nerve wracking experience for those who have grown attention to the beloved bald eagle family. Sunny and Gizmo only turn 10-weeks old-next week, but they're already getting ready to fledge, or fly for the first time. They were born in March, much to the delight of thousands across the nation anxiously waiting to see if the eggs would make it through the winter. "They've been practicing bouncing up and down with their little wings," said Sandy Steers, a biologist and the Executive Director of Friends of Big Bear Valley. "They're big wings now." Sonny and Gizmo, the eaglets of beloved Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow. Friends of Big Bear Valley/YouTube She says that though they make look small on the live camera, which feeds from the eagles' nest 24/7 thanks to the wildlife organization's YouTube channel. "Pretty soon they'll move out onto the limbs and practice it and make all the viewers nervous, because they'll be afraid they'll fall off," Steers said. Though a little worry, she says they won't fall. After taking flight for the first time, Sunny and Gizmo will still hang around the nest for a while, and that their parents Jackie and Shadow will continue to follow them around for at least three months to continue watching over them. "Once they get, I guess full of knowing, think they know what they're doing, they take off," she said. "They usually travel around to meet other eagles." Within five years, they'll find a mate, hunker down and start their own families, though it's unclear exactly where that may be. Fledges from Southern California have been tracked as far north as Canada and as far east as Yellowstone.
