The eaglets are now five weeks old, about halfway through the growth process that will see them gain eight to twelve pounds in less than three months. To accomplish this remarkable rate of growth that earns them the notoriety of being the 'fastest growing bird in North America', their parents will hunt nearly one hundred pounds of food in frequent meals during the next few weeks for their gluttonous offspring.
Fish continues to be the most common feast, with side orders of squirrels, snakes and egrets.
The eaglets are now eating and tearing food on their own, although the adults still offer food from their beaks. Loud and persistent whining and food begging calls can often be heard when the adult arrives with the latest meal. Feathers are rapidly replacing dark gray down in this transitional stage of the plumage development. It is quite difficult at this stage to believe these ungainly, homely babies will mature into magnificent Bald Eagles over the next five years. The eaglets have begun playing with each other and their parents, an important behavior that develops skills in social interaction and the ability to compete with other birds for food.