Breaking News! R23-3 Feeds E21! Milestone for this unfolding story. SWFL💕🦅 2.25.23

SWFL Eagles 🤯R23-3 FEEDS E21!! ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE 💜🦅🏅
Every single day has been such an experience to watch this eagle family try to figure out their next chapter without Momma Harriet. Today was incredible to witness.
R23-3 is now named for Rogue Eagle, 2023, 3rd eagle spotted since Harriet disappeared Feb 2nd. She has the injured feet but has been seen with her own fish and roadkill on separate occasions. She has helped keep watch at night with M15 in the nest tree on several occasions. She has jumped down into the nest to steal food; lunging, nipping and shoving the eaglets with her foot on several occasions as tactics to show dominance and to claim the food. All completely normal in the eagle world. Especially with hungry females. (Even I get hangry sometimes 🙃) Sometimes she scuffles with M15 to steal the food but sometimes one of them avoids the battle and just flies away. The Es have been learning how to deal with her too. They've learned to be submissive and sneak bites when the timing is just right.
Today was a milestone for everyone. I have to give her credit for really trying. Although she lunges a few times, she just seemed maybe a bit overwhelmed with this new task. Maybe she's just learning from watching M15. But she intentionally feeds E21 and I recorded the whole event to share!
E22 didn't get much if anything, unless some pieces were snagged while he was completely under her practically wearing her as a hat. 🎩😅 If you watch carefully towards the end when E22 tries to sneak around to her right side, away from E21 to avoid any bonking, R23-3 actually turns and offers 2 pieces but E22 was too nervous and too quick missing those precious bites. R23-3 then has one E on each side, both squeeing away and that seems to agitate her so she lunges with her wings scaring them both. Boy, I really wish I could hear what those babies must've been thinking! I mean, this lady is kinda crazy but I think we like her? I agree, babies!
This is almost unheard of for a female to take over another nest with eaglets like this. Well not on camera, thats for sure! I don't want to get ahead of myself but I could hear M15 in the background vocalizing about what he was seeing as well. I think he was grateful she shared.. And the way she looks back at him a few times as if to make sure he was seeing how hard she was trying to help; even without her hormones driving her to raise offspring as a mothers does naturally after laying eggs. Has she has eaglets before? We will never know! But I am pleased with her efforts today. 🏅💕🦅🐥
E22 got a nice feeding from M15 later on. On top of the armored catfish that was delivered unzipped by Dad leaving both Es trying to get into it for quite some time. Those buggers are tough! Both also starting to practice grabbing the food with their talons. Both stood on the side rails yesterday too! All the milestones are being met by these precious survivors thanks to Dad, M15 who definitely has earned Father of the Year in the eagle world. He knows how much to trust R23-3 and shows he still has his boundaries and so far thats helped this family so much.
This is definitely a new chapter unfolding before our eyes. I'm falling more in love with E21 and E22 each day. They're all just trying to figure it out! 💕🙏
🦅Camera provided by Pritchett Real Estate
Credit: ‪@SouthwestFloridaEagleCam‬

[@user-ds2lg3lj2c]

It's pitiful to give you only one. Make a good relationship, set up, and support. Communicate often. I love you.

[@hadassah2998]

There is hope! I think if the nest had more fish or meat she would have fed the other E as well. I think she is trying to set the standard for respect from the Es. Its is a good thing that sweet M15 has raised them so respectful.🥰

[@duckylady]

Great point. M15 is doing amazing and the Es are so smart!