Hi,
The picture appears to be of a young bird. I have seen recently fledged young on the ground and unable to get flight due to undeveloped flight muscles. I have seen birds walk to the top of a ridge to catch a breeze and where they were able to take off. I wonder if this has happened with a young bird unable to take off so has climbed to a spot where, once the rain stops, it hopes to take off. As you can imagine this is a most dangerous situation for any young WTE. I must admit though that early January is late to be recently fledged but it could also be weak from not having fed for a while.
Chris
From: Philip Veerman [
Sent: Sunday, 11 January 2015 11:38 AM
To: 'kym bradley'
Cc:
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] How does a Wedge Tailed Eagle keep dry in the rain
Yes it could be because of rain, but seems odd. I wonder about the next possible reason. Was there interactions between the 2 eagles? Could the one under the log be escaping from aggressions (or even affections) from a partner or a rival? Could there have been a fight and one forced to the ground where it then hid whilst the other perched above.
-----Original Message-----
From: kym bradley
Sent: Saturday, 10 January 2015 9:55 PM
To: phillip
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] How does a Wedge Tailed Eagle keep dry in the rain
Hi
No idea I watched from the car for at least 30 mins till he/ she emerged when the rain dropped to a shower