Eagle Nest Update, May 31, 2025

The young eagle in the new Benbow nest has transformed from a downy bobblehead into a fierce-looking mini eagle. The parents are no longer spending every minute in the nest and the youngster can now feed itself.

*The young Benbow Bald Eagle feeding itself, alone in the nest as a parent is stationed nearby.* *You can just make out the patchy appearance of downy feathers being replaced by adult feathers.*

Unfortunately, frustrating light conditions make for poor images–I arrived at the nest watching spot at 6:40 am when there was clear air, but the little one was sleeping invisibly in the bowl of the nest until the sun had climbed high enough into the sky to create heat waves.

*Here the youngster spreads its wings. You can see the spaces between the spindly new flight feathers.*

Fortunately the 7-week old eagle (that’s just my best guess on its age) did spend some time in the part of the nest not obscured by tree branches, so you can see how changed it is since the last decent images two weeks ago.

*One of the parents perched about ten yards upstream, keeping a watchful eye on the nest as the juvenile sleeps.*

This video shows the parents in and around the nest and the young eagle feeding itself. At one point near the end you can hear both parents singing to each other.