WildWatch Weekly

Almost Ready to Soar: Bald Eagle Eaglets on the Brink of Fledging

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Eaglets Fledging Soon

It’s an exciting time of year at PixCams.com as we watch the final stages of development unfold for the bald eagle eaglets at our three live-streaming nest cameras. Across these nests, we’re seeing incredible growth, independence, and the first signs of flight. Soon, these young eagles will take the leap—literally—and fledge from their nests for the very first time.

Here’s where our eaglets are growing up:

• The United States Steel Corporation Bald Eagles Nest – Home to one eaglet this season. Watch live: USS Eagles Cam​
• The Little Miami Conservancy Bald Eagles Nest – Hosting two healthy eaglets. Watch live: LMC Eagles Cam​
• The Ott Family Bald Eagle Nest – Also raising a single eaglet. Watch live: Ott Eagles Cam​

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Getting Ready For Flight: What Is Branching?

One of the most fascinating and often overlooked stages in a young bald eagle’s development is the branching phase—a crucial milestone that takes place just before fledging. After spending nearly two months growing rapidly in the nest, eaglets begin to stretch their wings—literally and figuratively—by stepping out onto nearby branches surrounding the nest. This behavior signals that the eaglets are preparing for their first flight, and it’s a thrilling time for eagle watchers.

Branching usually begins when the eaglets are around 10 to 12 weeks old. By this point, they are nearly full-sized, their juvenile flight feathers have come in, and their wings are strong enough to support vigorous flapping. You’ll often see young eagles performing what’s called “wingercizing”—flapping their wings intensely while hopping in place or lifting briefly into the air inside the nest. As their confidence grows, they start to walk or hop out onto sturdy branches around the nest, testing their balance and agility.

Unlike fledging, which involves an actual first flight, branching is all about coordination and strength building. These early movements help the eaglets build muscle, improve their spatial awareness, and develop the courage they’ll need to take that first leap into the air. It’s also a time when sibling dynamics come into play. In multi-eaglet nests, you may notice one eaglet is more adventurous and branches earlier, while others stay closer to the nest bowl a little longer.

It’s not uncommon for an eaglet to branch out too far or lose its footing. Fortunately, bald eagle nests are typically built in trees with strong limbs and open canopies, giving the young birds plenty of space to practice—and recover. Parents keep a close watch during this stage, often perching nearby and continuing to deliver food to the nest to encourage their young to return and remain close.

For viewers at home, branching is one of the most entertaining and heartwarming phases to watch on a live nest cam. You can see the eaglets building their confidence and taking those critical steps toward independence, knowing that fledging is just around the corner.

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Taking Flight: When They Fledge

After weeks of wing-flapping, balancing, and branching, bald eagle eaglets reach one of the most anticipated and dramatic milestones in their development—fledging. Fledging is when a young eagle takes its very first flight away from the nest. This moment is both thrilling and risky, as the eaglet leaves the safety of its nest for the wide world beyond, relying on instinct, strength, and the training it’s built up during the branching phase.

Typically, bald eagle fledging occurs between 10 to 13 weeks of age, though the exact timing varies with each bird’s readiness. The eaglet may spend days perched on a branch near the nest, observing its surroundings, flapping its wings, and catching the wind, all while gathering the courage for that first leap. Then, often unexpectedly, the young eagle will spread its wings and launch—soaring awkwardly through the air, sometimes gliding gracefully, and other times landing clumsily in a nearby tree or on the ground.

The first flight is just the beginning of an important learning curve. Even after fledging, young eagles typically stay near the nest for several weeks, sometimes up to two months. During this time, they continue to rely on their parents for food and guidance. The adults may bring prey to perches near the nest to encourage the fledglings to explore and return. They also begin to teach their young how to hunt by modeling behavior, leading them to food sources, or even dropping food mid-air for the eaglets to retrieve.

Fledglings spend these post-fledge weeks practicing their flight skills, building endurance, and perfecting their landings. They’ll begin to chase birds, investigate small prey, and learn how to use thermals to soar higher. The coordination, timing, and strength needed for successful hunting take time to master, and the parents’ extended care is critical to the fledgling’s survival during this period.

Eventually, as summer transitions to fall, the fledglings will grow more independent and begin to disperse from the nest area. Some may travel hundreds of miles as they explore and search for food-rich habitats, often following rivers, lakes, or coastlines. Though they’re now on their own, their journey to maturity has only just begun—bald eagles won’t reach full adult plumage or become reproductively mature until around age five. Until then, these juvenile eagles will live a nomadic life, building the skills and strength they need to someday find a mate and raise eaglets of their own.

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Where Do Eaglets Go After Fledging?

Once a bald eagle fledges, the journey is far from over. Although they’ve taken their first flight, young eagles are still heavily reliant on their parents for survival. For several weeks to two months after fledging, the fledglings remain near the nest territory. During this time, the parents continue to provide food and care, often perching nearby to keep watch and occasionally delivering fish or small mammals to accessible branches or feeding spots. This post-fledging dependency period is vital as the young eagles build strength and hone the flying and hunting skills they’ll need to survive on their own.

While the eaglets are now capable of flight, they still lack the finesse and experience needed to hunt effectively. You’ll often see them practicing aerial maneuvers, chasing siblings or other birds, and making awkward attempts to catch prey. Parents play a key role during this phase, sometimes even dropping food mid-air or encouraging flight by withholding food to prompt exploration and foraging behavior. This transitional period is nature’s boot camp, and it gives fledglings the confidence and ability to navigate the world beyond their nest.

Eventually, the young eagles venture farther from the nest, gradually expanding their range. By late summer or early fall, most fledglings begin to disperse completely, leaving their natal area in search of suitable habitat and food sources. Some juveniles may stay within 100 miles, while others have been known to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles. Their movements can be nomadic and unpredictable, as they follow rivers, coastlines, and thermals that assist with soaring and energy conservation.

These young bald eagles will live a wandering lifestyle for the next four to five years, slowly maturing and developing the skills necessary for adult life. During this time, they are not tied to a specific territory and will often be seen around large bodies of water, reservoirs, and other areas with abundant food. They will undergo several plumage changes, eventually trading their dark juvenile feathers for the iconic white head and tail that signify full adulthood.

The story of a bald eagle doesn’t end at the nest—it only begins there. Each fledgling embarks on a remarkable journey filled with challenges and discovery. Thanks to live streaming cameras and ongoing conservation efforts, we get a front-row seat to witness the start of that adventure.

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Don’t Miss These Milestones!

Now is the perfect time to tune in to the live cameras and witness one of nature’s most awe-inspiring moments—the transition from nestling to fledgling. Each eaglet’s first flight is a dramatic and unforgettable event, and thanks to the dedicated partners behind these camera projects, you can experience it in real-time.

Visit our eagle cams at PixCams.com and keep your eyes on the sky—these young raptors are almost ready to soar.