Eaglet Info

I've done some research and found that in the Puget Sound region the eagle pair mates in March, and about 10 days later the female lays the first egg in the nest. A second egg follows a few days later, and occasionally a 3rd. During the 35 days of incubation the female remains on the nest almost constantly. During this time the male is often seen bringing conifer boughs to the nest, but ornithologists are unsure why he does so. The female is so reluctant to leave the nest unprotected that she may go several days without eating. Only occasionally will the male take over sitting on the eggs. When the eggs hatch it is typical that only one of the eaglets survives, especially if the first hatched is female. Female eaglets tend to be much larger than males and more aggressive. Later, however, adult males are usually a pound or two heavier than females. The babies stay in the nest for about 20 weeks, and by the time the eaglet fledges it is typically a pound heavier than the male parent. This excess weight is lost in the first several weeks on its own.
I expect to see Ethel disappear sometime in March to sit on her nest, now, and will not worry about her. The literature says, however, that eagles live as long as 30 years and do not mate every year. So Ethel and Ernest, being new mates, might even sit this year out from raising a family. We'll see.