Watch The Miraculous Moment an Eagle Chick Hatches

A baby bird hatching from its eggs is one of nature’s remarkable occurrences. Thanks to social media, we get to see these amazing moments unfold. One example is from this Instagram post by @nfwctally. The post shows Sia, a white-tailed eagle, hatching from her egg, as well as photos of her growth. Read here to learn more.

Sia the White-Tailed Eagle

In the Instagram post above, Sia, a white-tailed eagle, is hatching from her egg. The heartwarming moment was caught on camera by the North Florida Wildlife Center. They also included photos of Sia through her first year of growth. The photos show just how beautifully white-tailed eagles develop. These eagles are powerful raptors and one of the largest birds of prey in the world. Native to Europe and Asia, they have a wingspan of about six to eight feet. White-tailed eagles are an example of sexual dimorphism, displaying physical differences between sexes. Females are notably larger and typically weigh between 8.6 and 15.2 pounds, while males usually weigh between 6.8 and 11.9 pounds.

Thanks to the efforts of the wildlife center, a proper enclosure is available to Sia. In nature, they prefer areas near water, like coasts, lakes, or rivers. This is because their diet consists primarily of fish and other aquatic life. Fish and ducks are common dietary choices, but they also feed on other small animals. Using their talons, they snatch their prey with a powerful grip. Another famous feature of these eagles is their large nests, which can reach up to six feet wide. They may use these well-designed sites for many years, sometimes over a decade. The eagles use large sticks to build their nest on cliff sides or in trees. This is where their babies will be born.

White-Tailed Eagle Development

Before a white-tailed eagle hatches, the parents must incubate their eggs. Parents usually lay one to three eggs, which are incubated for about a month and a half. Females typically do the majority of incubation, while the male brings food during the day. When the chick is ready to hatch, it uses its egg tooth—a small, temporary structure on its beak—to crack its way out. After hatching, the babies have soft white feathers and are weak. In the next couple of weeks, the parents feed their young and protect them from the weather and predators. After about a month, the babies’ feathers start to emerge, and they begin flying after about three months. White-tailed eagles grow up fast and eventually leave the nest after just five months.