5/28/24 AGAIN eagles raising Hawk that they brought back to eat

 This has happened at several other nests before. Several have been successful, but the one last year wasn't! I just wanted to keep this as a record for myself. And maybe for Steve and he might be interested also too. This is from Facebook Doug. I am Facebook friends with him. He's  lives out in California.

The pictures are above are current. The pictures below are from the past. What nest was in BC and the other one was in California Hancock's nest

     Tuffy 2 Little guy did not make it. He hung tough for a while.

Copy and paste it from Facebook also.

Tuffy2 video analyzed (Tuffy2 - I had my video reviewed by eagle biologist of 65 years David Hancock, nest cam operaters, and eagle educators. The parent eagle reacting (blocking) Tuffy2 from the nest on June 25th. (Tuffy2 was unharmed and went back to the nest later with no issue) 

It was agreed that this was a reaction from the eagle to what seemed as a threat to her, the nest, and food. The parent eagle was eating. The hawk (Tuffy2) came from below the nest quickly towards her spooked her, and continued flapping around. 

It would be unusual for the eagle to just switch into rejecting the hawk in an isolated case.   

A cam operator for another nest said he's seen this reaction from an eagle with its own mate when caught off guard and spooked. The adult eagles have continued to bring food and Doug mentioned Tuffy2 getting a squirrel delivered. 

This nest is part of Davids reserch project along with 3 other previous nests. Everyone's contribution has been valueable.   Search: Tuffy the hawk Reddding 2019 Terri documented, also Malala the hawk, spunky the Hawk, who both were raised by bald eagles and since then have been spotted as adults near eagles around beaches in BC.

Found this also 😭

Redding, California 2019Photo by me (Judy Spaar-Hillewaert) on May 20, 2024.

Red-tailed hawk nestling delivered to a bald eagles nest as prey around May 14, 2024.  

NOT … Lake Casitas Eagles nest.

Now being raised with two 5ish week old eaglets. 

Undisclosed location!

After being contacted by a fellow photographer friend on May 19 about this bald eagles nest situation, I drove to the site the next morning and spent the next three days taking photos of this rare phenomenon. I believe that the two bald eaglets were about 5 weeks old at the time.

____________________________________________________

Copy and paste it from Facebook 

"Jann Nichols is monitoring this nest and reporting to Friends of the Redding Eagles-FORE.

Baby Red Tail Hawk being raised with two eaglets!

 The young hawk was well fed after a meal from the mother eagle. May 26th, 2024.

This is a rare & fascinating phenomenon that has now been well documented by Eagle Biologist David Hancock 4 times over the last 7 years("Spunky" British Columbia 2017, "Tuffy" Redding, California 2019, "Malala" British Columbia 2022 & "Tuffy2" San Jose, California 2023. 

This will be the 5th occurrence of what was suppose to be food (hawk) being brought into the nest for the eaglets, instead became part of the family. 

Check Friends of the Redding Eagles-FORE for updates. Terri observed Redding and stays in communication with David Hancock Wildlife Foundation

The hawk was first seen on May 15th. Once the bald eagle has started the feeding process with the red tail hawk and has formed a parental bond, it now gets the same protection and care their own young get. 

Bald eagles don't harm or kill their their young. With that said survival still has it's normal challenges. So far it appears there is enough food for all. The parents are very attentive. "

Video is from Facebook, 

...

But that last sentence doesn't apply to our nest.Doesn't I think I'm gonna get ahold of David Hancock and ask him about that? Our scout eating the babes.