Ask A Scientist Zoology Archive

name         Rebecca M.
status       other
age          30s

Question -   I was reading a verse in the bible, Deuteronomy 32:11,
and wondered about the behavior of a mother eagle.  Has anyone observed
how she trains her babies to fly?

Deutoronomy 32:11 suggests:

      "like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young,
       that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its
       pinions"
_________________________________________
Exerpted from Compton's Interactive Bible NIV. Copyright (c) 1994, 1995,
1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc.  All Rights Reserved

Could anyone give me more detail on the mother eagle's methods of
training her young to fly?

Young eagles, and other bird, learn to fly by imitation and 
experimentation, there is no
direct involvement by the adult, certainly they do not catch or carry their
fledglings.

J. Elliott
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......and I am simply wondering what sources J.  Elliott used to answer this
question. I used to be a biologist and I haven't been able to find any
sources that would back up J. Elliott's claim.  I asked this question a
couple of weeks ago and still have not received an answer.  I look forward
to investigating the sources you list and have enjoyed your helpful
website very much.  Thank you.
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As I recall the original question referred to a mother eagle physically
carrying or assisting the young. There is no source to cite regarding the
specific question. I have many books on bird behavior, including the dated
but thorough "Life Histories of North American Birds" (multiple volumes) by
A.C. Bent, none of which mention such behavior. The account of bald eagles
from this work is on the web at
http://home.bluemarble.net/~pqn/ch61-70/baleagle.html The golden eagle
account is on the same site.

J. Elliott
==============================================================
As a member of a research team investigating the anticipated reproductive recovery of the 
American Bald Eagle from DDT in northern Minnesota, I have witnessed, first hand, the 
care of adult Bald Eagles toward their young.  There was no indication whtsoever that the
adults assisted the young in their flight development.  It was obvious that this behvaior was
innate and little or no learning was involved.

Steve Sample
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