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Both Eagles have Hatched in the Nest of Lesser Spotted Eagles

In the nest of the lesser spotted eagles of the Big Island (Lielā sala), the little eagles hatched from both eggs – on 7 June and 11 June. Lesser spotted eagles usually lay two eggs, less often one. However, in less than 2 % of successful nesting cases both young eagles reach the ability to fly.

Since both eggs are laid 3 to 5 days apart, the oldest baby is a few days older than the youngest. “Immediately after the hatching of the youngest eagle, it receives pecks from the oldest eagle. The oldest eagle does not allow the youngest to get feed. The female bird feels that the youngest eagle will die and feeds mainly the older one. Within days, the youngest baby, bitten and exhausted, dies. In ornithology, such behaviour is called cainism. The name is taken from the Bible's story of Cain and Abel, where Cain, the eldest son, killed his brother Abel. Although only one eagle can fly, the second egg is obviously given for safety, because one of the two eggs may be damaged,” tells Uģis Bergmanis, Senior Environmental Expert at LVM and researcher of lesser spotted eagles.

“The first bird hatched on the fortieth day after laying the egg. Shortly after hatching, the female eagle Rasa fed the little eagle. The male bird, on the other hand, brought a microtus; it is one of the most important species of food for lesser spotted eagles,” says Uģis Bergmanis.

Until about three days of age, the eaglet is so weak that it can only shortly lift its head and open its beak – at this point, the female birds masterfully places a small piece of meat in the baby's beak. The eaglet is growing rapidly, and already at about five days of age it can hold its head and demand feed.

“Usually, it is fed up to 15 times a day – starting with the dawn and up to sunset. Until about two weeks of age, the eaglet is continuously heated and protected from rain, wind and the hot sun. As the baby hatches, the female bird brings fresh conifers and blossomed deciduous branches to the nest. Laying fresh twigs ensures cleanliness in the nest,” says Uģis Bergmanis.

In turn, starting from the fourth week of its life that can be expected at the beginning of July, the eaglet becomes relatively independent – it can tear feed into pieces, and only needs its mother to cover it up in heavy rain, and especially in the hot sun.

 WATCH LIVE 

Already since March, environmental education and research projects “Birds and Animals in Marsh” and “Lesser Spotted Eagles” offer an opportunity to keep track of the activities in the golden eagle nest and changes in nature in a swamp in the north-eastern region of Latvia.