This is so sad. I will miss this valiant little one.

Soar Free little one.....

135 pm
Mom just left the nest the letts are alone
now.

The two letts are standing close to each other
at nest center.





150 pm
Still alone both standing up looking around although middle
lett is cowering a bit compared to Big.



now I am out for abit bbl

From Sutton Center....


8 March 2012: Viewers are now witnessing the reality of competition that occurs among siblings in an eagle nest, and, really, in many families of living organisms. For eagles and some other raptors, this begins with the temporal pattern for incubation of the eggs and the resulting order of hatching, and continues throughout nest life, as well as even beyond through post-fledging dependency. In this case, and as we have already presented, the first hatched young gets off to a head start in growth by consuming fully gorged crops of food without any competition during feeding bouts by the adult female. This chick is soon followed by the next hatched, and both of these siblings receive ample food as long as prey is plentiful and hunting by the adult male is good. The last hatched chick gets off to a disadvantaged start, being several days behind, smaller with less strength, and subject to the domination of its siblings during feeding and competition for brooding by the adult female. Thus, not only is chick 3 smaller, but it is later in development including feather growth.

When a chick is starving, its head tends to grow large, accentuated by a body that becomes stunted. In the Sequoyah nest 2012, the third chick was growing nicely, with well proportioned body and head. This winter's weather has been mild as we all know, and with little precipitation except for a light snow right after hatching when the adults were brooding the little chicks. Down provides warmth to the chicks especially during calm, dry weather, but unless it is covered with the dark brown body feathers seen on the older chicks (similar to a waterproof shell over a down jacket), this insulation provides little thermal protection when it becomes soaked. In this case, no longer brooded by the adults and unable to shed the cold and blowing rain, this chick has likely died of hypothermia. We all know how much colder we quickly become when subjected to both rain and high winds when without a shell (or adult feathers in the case of this eaglet).

In this case, we will likely soon see the adults feed the dead chick to its siblings. This is conservation of energy and commonly happens when one of the young expires. In some cases the adults will carry the dead young off or it can even become buried among the debris in the nest, but likely it will be used as food. We will wait to see what happens, but whatever occurs, this is the reality of eagle reproduction. It is disappointing but not surprising for a third chick to succumb to any one of several possible challenges. Had the weather stayed warm and dry for another week the outcome may have been different.

I can't bare to watch anymore so thanks for sharing this family and mantles to you all

I just heard....



Rest in peace, little one, and fly free forever.

I just heard the sad news too and want to say to all of those who cheered for this little guy that I am so sorry for the outcome. I had only followed his story on Eagleholics through the postings of others but was aware of the unequal situation on this nest. It's just too sad.
Lori, your post has perhaps answered some questions plaguing everyone. Too many tragedies before our eyes this season.

420pm for what its worth in case it helps to feel better, just saw remaining 2 lets eating heartily and look, to me, not very wet, breezy and maybe drying off? i pray it stops raining and they can warm up

is 420pm my time

I am so sorry! to all of you!

Another feeding is underway

First the earlier feeding

302 pm
Adult returns and feeding is underway; nitially only one lett participated
then they both participated in the feeding.