Bald Eagles – Sciences Library News

Image of Bald Eagle — Photo credit: Kai Weatherman

While we humans below the branches of a tall cottonwood tree along the Iowa River at Coralville’s Iowa River Landing have been preoccupied with the effects of coronavirus on our communities, a pair of Bald Eagles has been raising a family of two young eagles in that tree as if nothing were more important!

According to the species account for Bald Eagles in Birds of the World (HawkID login required), juveniles may depart the nest at any time between 8 and 14 weeks. Based on observations of this nest in late February and early March, this pair of juveniles are now likely somewhere between 8 and 11 weeks old. So, first flight, also known as fledging, could take place most any time now!

This pair of juveniles has already begun branching, which means moving from the nest to other branches in the tree while stretching and flapping their wings, a prelude to first flight. This can be an exciting time to observe the young eagles if you happen to catch them in action.

However, please be as respectful of the birds as possible and observe good etiquette. The eagles’ choice of nest site with close proximity to human foot and bicycle traffic makes this a somewhat unusual challenge.

Although the nest is highly visible from the paved path, depending on the time of day, the juvenile eagles may or may not be visible in the nest.

Sometimes they may be resting inside but below the rim of the nest, at other times feeding in the nest, and at others perched on a branch off to the side of the nest.

Juvenile Bald Eagles do not have the white head and white tail characteristic of an adult; it takes about 5 years to acquire adult plumage. It is not uncommon to see one of the adult eagles perched on a nearby tree.

For details of the nest location see the Sciences Library News post for April 13, 2020. For best viewing binoculars are recommended!

If you would like help locating additional information on Bald Eagles, don’t hesitate to contact us at the Sciences Library.

Many thanks to Kai Weatherman for authoring this uplifting post and sharing his beautiful photography with us!

Image of Bald Eagle in nest — Photo credit: Kai Weatherman

Picture of Bald Eagle nest — Photo credit: Kai Weatherman

Many Iowans are aware of the Bald Eagles that nest in Decorah. But believe it or not there is an active eagle’s nest only a stone’s throw away from the University of Iowa main campus. And it is so accessible to viewing that most in the area will never have a better opportunity to view one up close. The nest site is in a tall cottonwood tree behind the Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Simply take the paved path that runs behind the Conference Center, locate the “Prairie Breeze Bench” sculpture, and look toward the Iowa River. You can’t miss it.

For the time being you will likely see the white head of an adult eagle protruding above the rim of the nest, sitting quietly, keeping the young eaglets warm, and possibly watching you watching them. If you’re lucky, you might catch one of the adult pair return from a successful hunt. Then it’s feeding time for the eaglets. It will be a few weeks before the eaglets are large enough to be visible from the path. But once they reach the juvenile stage, get ready for a spectacular display of wing stretching prior to fledging.

During this time of social distancing, we encourage you to take the opportunity step out for some fresh air and take advantage of a rare opportunity to connect with Iowa wildlife, while keeping a 6 foot minimum distance between you and others on the path.

When viewing the eagles, please take care to avoid distressing them, particularly at this sensitive stage, by maintaining a healthy distance. Iowa DNR recommends a minimum distance of 400 yards. But if you stay on the path, all should be well, since the eagles are already accustomed to passersby on that path.

For more information on Bald Eagles, Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds website is a fine place to start. University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff have subscription access to Birds of the World, which provides in-depth, research level information.

N.B.: Bring a pair of binoculars for best viewing.

Thank you to Kai Weatherman for writing this post!

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