I’m late to this but wanted to add that the sheltering bird looks like an (older) adult bird as can be seen from Kym’s next photo. To see it, click the left arrow on her originally-linked photo. It’s a very dark bird with only a little rufous on wing bar and nape suggesting an older bird. Definitely not a juvenile. In the next couple of photos they look like an amiable pair, not engaging in tiffs, supporting the original thought that it was actually sheltering from the rain. (Unless it was feeding, which is doubtful since Kym probably could have seen that from her observation point). If it was not sheltering it’s a very strange place for a large eagle to sit since it can’t easily take flight.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lubba/15624136843/ - original hiding from the rain image
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lubba/16056544578/ - second photo shows previously hidden bird
I share Philip’s desire for context info on Kym’s photos. The date of photos can be found on flickr easily enough (below RHS on the image’s ‘main-page’– click ‘collapse’ symbol top right if necessary to get to the normal main-page image view, with comments, date etc.), but I do miss location info. Location tells you so much more about a photo, can we have location info on your pics please Kym?
From: Philip Veerman [
Sent: Sunday, 11 January 2015 13:27
To:
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] How does a Wedge Tailed Eagle keep dry in the rain
I can't see enough to come up with that it is a young bird but either way, yes that suggestion of a reason is likely a better suggestion than mine (or Kym's). I might have come to that suggestion later. It also provides a better reason for why an adult WTE is sitting on the log, as in it is a likely parent that has followed a young bird that got into difficulties. Kym has not provided a date for this obs.......
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Davey [m("aapt.net.au","chris_davey");">]
Sent: Sunday, 11 January 2015 12:55 PM
To: 'Philip Veerman'; 'kym bradley'
Cc: m("canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");">
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] How does a Wedge Tailed Eagle keep dry in the rain
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
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 [m("hotmail.com","goldnbits");">]
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
