Juvie Eagles Silhouette
These two juvenile bald eagles had recently fledged, and one evening I found them both perched in the nesting tree just below the nest where they had spent the previous three months. Although they had begun exploring beyond the nest, they continued returning for a few weeks to be fed as they were still learning to hunt on their own. It wouldn’t be much longer before they became fully independent.
Good to Know
Bald Eagle juveniles develop their dark plumage approximately 11 to 14 weeks after hatching. This mottled brown feathering can last 5 to 6 years—nearly a quarter of their 20- to 30-year lifespan—before they attain the iconic white head and tail of adulthood, with gradual molting occurring each year during this period. (Source: Bird Helpful)
