Thursday Thirteen

I have been watching the eagles nest at Big Bear Valley for a while now. The two eagles there, named Jackie (female) and Shadow (male), had a clutch of three eggs, which I understand is somewhat rare. They usually only have two eggs per year. These two eagles usually lay eggs from January to March. The pair has successfully raised a couple of offspring, but their eggs do not always hatch.

That is the case this year. The three eggs are now far past the point of viability. The eagles continue to sit on the eggs. I find this sad, but instinct will eventually move them on. Maybe next year. The camera is on the nest 24/7, 365 days a year. It goes down a while in the summer when the nest is not used when the camera crew cleans the lens and makes repairs but otherwise is on all the time. It's a nice view even when the eagles aren't there.

Anyway, here are some facts about this fascinating bird.

1. Grip Strength: An eagle’s grip is up to 10 times stronger than that of a human.

2. Diversity: There are over 60 species of eagles, mostly found in Asia and Africa.

3. Nesting Heights: Some eagles, like the Golden Eagle, build their nests atop high cliffs.

4. Symbolism: Eagles are symbols of freedom and peace, often depicted on state flags. The bald eagle is one of the national symbols of the United States and The Philippine eagle is the national bird of the Philippines and is an endangered species.

5. Eagle Eyesight: An eagle’s eyesight is up to 8 times stronger than a human’s.

6. Bald Eagles: The term “bald” in Bald Eagle comes from an old English word meaning "white-headed."

7. Hooked Beak: Their beaks are perfectly designed for hunting and tearing through flesh.

8. Lifespan: Eagles can live 20-30 years in the wild, and even longer in captivity.

9. Eagle Beaks: With age, an eagle’s beak can warp and bend, making it hard to feed.

10. Conservation: January 10th is recognized as Save the Eagles Day.

11. Fish-eagles are often found in coastal areas and are known for their fishing prowess.

12. Buzzard-eagles are smaller and often mistaken for hawks.

13. Large eagles can lift prey weighing up to around 5 lbs. I've seen the eagles in Big Bear bring in sticks that looked to weigh at least that much.

🦅

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 852nd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.