Majestic yet vulnerable, baby eagles capture the hearts of bird lovers. But what are these little raptors properly called? Like most bird species, baby eagles have their own special names that change as they grow. Read on to learn all about the different life stages of baby eagles.
“Eaglet” – The Official Term for Baby Eagles
Baby eagles are known as eaglets. This distinctive name sets them apart from the generic term “chick” used for most baby birds.
Eaglet is derived from the Old French “eglett”, meaning “little eagle”. The word first emerged in the mid-1800s to describe the juvenile bald eagle, which later became the national symbol of the United States.
Today, eaglet refers exclusively to baby eagles in both common and scientific language. It aptly captures the essence of these tiny offspring of regal raptors.
Nestling and Fledgling Stages
Like all young birds, eaglets go through several developmental phases:
Nestling – Newly hatched eaglets are completely helpless. They are covered in soft white down and rely on parental care for warmth, food, and protection. At about 4-6 weeks, nestling eaglets grow dark feathers and gain mobility.
Fledgling – At 10-13 weeks, eaglets are ready to take their first flights from the nest, or “fledge”. They are now fledglings, awkwardly learning to fly and hunt. Fledglings remain under parental supervision.
Juvenile – After leaving the nest for good around 12 weeks, an eaglet becomes a juvenile eagle. Juveniles hone their flight skills and gradually gain independence over the next few months.
Interesting Eaglet Facts
Now that we know the various terms for baby eagles, here are some fascinating facts about these birds of prey:
- Eaglets hatch after about 35 days of incubation. They weigh only a few ounces at birth.
- Eaglets grow rapidly, increasing their weight up to 10 times in the first few weeks.
- By two months old, eaglets are almost as large as their parents.
- Eaglets stay in the nest for 10-12 weeks before fledging. This extended rearing develops their flying muscles.
- Both parent eagles share in feeding eaglets by tearing off pieces of prey. Very protective of their young!
- Eaglets learn to fly through nest “branching”. They flap wings while holding branches to build strength.
- Even after fledging, eaglets stay near the nest and return to roost while parents hunt.
- Reintroduction programs use “hacking” to gradually integrate captive-bred eaglets into the wild.
Supporting Eaglets and Eagles
While bald eagle populations have rebounded, many threats still face young eaglets, including:
- Habitat destruction like logging which impacts nest sites
- Contaminants from lead bullets or chemicals
- Human disturbance of sensitive nesting areas
We can help conserve eagles by:
- Preserving shoreline, forest, and cliff habitat where eagles nest
- Using non-lead ammunition to prevent poisoning
- Respecting buffer zones around occupied eagle nests
- Reporting any eaglets in need to wildlife rehabilitators
Watching an eaglet take its first flight into the open sky is a sight to behold. Ensuring eagles thrive, from vulnerable eaglets to majestic adults, demonstrates our shared commitment to the natural world. With continued conservation, the future looks bright for these cherished symbols of freedom.
