Bird Cams Around the World

See the black on the head? Wasn't Lib all white headed?

The intruder left the nest because I was screaming at the screen "You #@#@# get out of here!!" LOL, I censored myself

Sorry, Durand in the box...

Yes I think the bird in the composite on the right is Belle and the dark spot on the head is the intruder. I looked at an old capture I have of Lib and he is completely white-headed.

Seems small???!

I'll be back...I hear Durand again...

I know that's what I posted 2 posts ago. In your composite, intruder looks too small, but has the right markings.
O.K., might as well bring this up now, some people at Hancock are saying the intruder is male.

Already posted pic and activity. She d-dived off about 15 mins ago. The streaming cams are way behind today.

Yes Carly, a few of the watchers have thought that from the beginning.

Correct, we have a ground report of a "huge" intruder but we have cam images of a smaller intruder with black markings on tail and head.
?

Wow, this is getting more confusing as time goes by. Someone also had wrote on the OC blog a couple days ago that we should consider how the cam works in that a bird closer to the cam will look larger than one on the middle or other side of the nest just because the depth of field changes with the cam, it is an illusion. And are you saying that may be blood spots on the eagles head and not black feathers? And also, what if it is a male? Wouldnt Liberty chase it off the nest then since he is a male? Just who is supposed to be doing the defending here? Im with the previous comment - if I was on the ground even it would be confusing!! lol

Here's the Mar 18 clip from pages back with both Belle and the intruder on the nest. You can't see the head but the black markings are on the tail.



Maybe we need to take into account that the camera can distort.

I don't know.

Just read LeeLee's as I was posting this. Good point!

Mick, also just edited - what about if it is a male? Wouldnt Lib chase it then? why hasnt he chased it off the nest if its a male?

Good point again LeeLee. Just don't know. All across the forums watchers are confused.

Edit, just caught your question LeeLee. No, the ground observers are saying the dark areas are black feathers.

From NCTC

Eagle Nest Updates March 21, 2011

In upcoming weeks, we will do our very best to post regular, factual updates that are grounded in science. Over the weekend, we were able to confirm the presence of a third adult eagle near the nest, and we are almost certain that it is a breeding age female. Typically, the presence of a new female means she is competing with the established pair of eagles for the current nest and the territory that goes with it. Nest competition is a common occurrence in areas with healthy eagle populations, meaning the total population of eagles near NCTC has likely increased in recent years.

We have also confirmed multiple sightings of the male eagle who is part of the established breeding pair. The male does not appear to be injured, and seems to be in good health. The eaglet which hatched on March 17th has died and the remaining egg is not likely to hatch given that it is not being regularly incubated by the parents.

We do have biologists on staff here at NCTC who are available to share their expert assessments of the situation. In addition, our land manager has been communicating with another raptor biologist based in our Chesapeake Bay field office. There is general agreement that if the new female eagle is successful in chasing off the current female, the new female will then need to recruit a male to join her. However, it is likely too late in the nesting season for success in laying, incubating and hatching any new eggs.

You may wonder why there is competition over this nest - and there are several potential factors. Eagles prefer to nest in the tops of large trees located near rivers, lakes, and other wetlands. The NCTC nest is located very close to the Potomac River, which is a plentiful source of fish for nesting eagles to hunt. In addition, eagle nests represent a considerable investment of effort to construct: they can be up to 10 feet in diameter and weigh up to 2,000 lbs. And finally, as mentioned above, nest competition frequently occurs in areas with a significant eagle population.