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Monthly Archives: May 2019

D27 Heads North!

May 28, 2019 RaptorResource

For the last several weeks, we’ve been wondering when (and whether) D27 would head north. In 2018, she started showing migratory restlessness around April 25. She wandered around NE Iowa, making a few trips back and forth to the Decorah area before beginning her spring migration on May 8. But in 2019, her migratory restlessness didn’t begin until early May. She finally headed north on May 12, although her first long jump didn’t happen until May 20. Once she decided

Nest round-up: Kestrels and falcons, oh my!

May 24, 2019 RaptorResource

Our banding season starts Monday, but we have hatch going on at several of our nests. Here’s a rundown on who’s hatched, who has yet to hatch, and other nest events! Falcons spend a lot less time in the nest than eagles, so be sure to check them out now! American Kestrels Four kestrels hatched on May 22 and one hatched on May 23. Watch the kestrels while you can – they fledge between 28 and 31 days of age!

May 19, 2019: Decorah North and GSB Nestflix!

May 19, 2019 RaptorResource

Tonight we have a Decorah North and GSB mega-roll for everyone! It’s an exciting time in our nests as eaglets learn the skills they will need for life post-fledge and falcons gain weight, grow their second coat of feathers, and begin to get tiny little pinfeathers at the tips of their wings! Tonight’s videos feature great close-ups, superb storm footage, DN9 subduing a fish, a loud PS, and an adorable interaction between DN9 and Mom DNF. A lot of you

What are feathers? What is molt?

May 19, 2019 RaptorResource

Eaglets go through two molts and three feather stages in the nest: natal down (and molt), followed by thermal down (and molt), followed by juvenile feathers. As of this blog, the Decorah eaglets are shedding the very last of their natal down and their thermal down is rapidly being replaced by juvenile down and feathers. We thought we would blog a little more about feathers to celebrate! When we think about feathers, we tend to think about their qualities (light,

April 16, 2019: Nestflix!

May 16, 2019 RaptorResource

Tonight’s Nestflix features the Decorah Eagles and the Great Spirit bluff falcons! We’ve got a mini rain dance, two moist fowlettes, a fish down the hatch (after an assist from Mom), and a quick feeding video from Great Spirit Bluff as well as a repost of the owl from last night. Fans of Mom do not want to miss the stunningly beautiful video of her sunbathing in Decorah. We’re glad to see hard-working Mom get a little spa time for

May 13, 2019: Nestflix!

May 13, 2019 RaptorResource

Nestflix! Tonight’s mega-roll includes videos from Decorah, Decorah North, Great Spirit Bluff, and the Wisconsin Kestrel nest box! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did – and don’t miss the tug-o-fish, D33 standing and walking on its feet, the interactions between DN9 and both North parents, the bone swallowing (how did that fit!), and the videos from GSB and the WI kestrels! Decorah Eagles 5/12/19: Tug o’ War for the tail! https://youtu.be/jTBpUkNge_o. It’s pretty easy to tell

What is up with our eagle Moms?

May 9, 2019 RaptorResource

We first blogged on this subject on April 30, 2014, but we’re asked about Mom’s behavior every spring. Wondering where the love went? This blog is for you! We’ve had several questions and comments about our eagle Moms. Why are they so demanding? Why are they mad at their mates? Why are they so mean? While I can find snippets of behavior that seem loving to human observers – shared incubation duty, mutual nest defense, and tandem feedings, to name

May 8, 2019: Decorah and Decorah North Nestflix!

May 8, 2019 RaptorResource

We didn’t enjoy today’s wet, windy weather, and neither did the eagles! D32 and D33 are 34 and 31 days old, while DN9 is 38 days old. All three eaglets have a thick coating of thermal down and are rapidly sprouting juvenile feathers, but still need Mombrellas and Poptents in cold, rainy weather. Eagle parents faced down the storm, eaglets did their best to shelter, and everyone got through the day! The weather is supposed to clear up and start

May 8, 2019: Where is D27?

May 8, 2019 RaptorResource

Where is D27? She is currently spending time near Frankville, Iowa. How does that compare with last year? In 2018, D27 left the Decorah area on April 25 and flew north and east, reaching the Mississippi River on May 4th. She turned north along the Big Muddy, crossing it not far from Great Spirit Bluff, and continued north-northeast through Wisconsin until she reached Cable, where she hung a west turn. After a brief sojourn not far from Pine City, MN,

May 6, 2019: Decorah and Decorah North NestFlix!

May 6, 2019 RaptorResource

We have a Decorah and Decorah North mega-roll for everyone tonight! The eaglets are growing like weeds, diving for shade, chowing down on fish and cowghetti, casting pellets, and watching the world around them. The trees are alive with the sounds of birds establishing breeding territories and attracting mates – most of these videos are as fun to hear as they are to watch. I loved all of these videos, but especially Mom’s heraldic pose, D32 swallowing half a fish,

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