The Committed Partnership of Bald Eagles

February 14, 2023- Love (commitment) is in the air

Last May a quick and severe windstorm moved across Ontario causing major damage. The derecho tossed the young, unfledged eaglets from this nest and they fell to their deaths. The parents were not seen at their eyrie for the rest of the season. Bald Eagles start nest repairs and mating around the middle of February in this region. The birds mate for life and the pair above have nested in this tree for over ten years now. I have watched them closely since 2014. Today was a beautiful, sunny day and my husband and I drove to the bank of the Nith River to see if the eagles had returned after last year's tragedy. 

The female sat on a branch and after a few minutes, the smaller-sized male arrived too.

This set of pictures was taken over a fifteen-minute period of time. It could have taken hours of waiting before the birds returned, but we were fortunate to witness the courtship display just after we arrived on the opposite side of the river.

The Eagles were very vocal, their shrieks echoing across the river.

The courtship rituals may continue throughout the month but if this year is like others, two to three eggs will be in the nest by early March. Several other Ontario bird species begin nesting when it is still winter. Great Horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, Canada Jays and Crossbills all start laying eggs before spring arrives. Bald Eagles actively care for their young until the end of summer so they need an early start. 

We celebrate romantic love on Valentine's Day but it takes commitment and perseverance to maintain a long-term partnership. I hope this is a better year for these Eagles and their eaglets without the severe windstorms we have had the past two years in May and June. I will be checking in frequently!