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Public Display of Affection in Flight (Original Post) milestogo Aug 2022 OP
We have a lot of eagles around here, but I have never seen that sequence. Frustratedlady Aug 2022 #1
It reminds me of pairs figure skating milestogo Aug 2022 #2
Good comparison. Frustratedlady Aug 2022 #12
I have never seen this, and had no idea that they did this. milestogo Aug 2022 #13
....or sky divers' mid-air freefalling antics. jaxexpat Aug 2022 #17
We all know that feeling bucolic_frolic Aug 2022 #3
Mike high club, Bald Eagle style. n/t aggiesal Aug 2022 #4
So that is foreplay? liberalla Aug 2022 #5
Maybe its just flirting. milestogo Aug 2022 #6
"Aerial sky-dancing displays" liberalla Aug 2022 #18
Thanks, that's pretty cool. milestogo Aug 2022 #19
Soarplay. nt Xipe Totec Aug 2022 #7
Very good! liberalla Aug 2022 #11
I saw 2 bald eagles cavorting over a field Marthe48 Aug 2022 #8
I dunno Bayard Aug 2022 #9
Those lovebirds would like some privacy IronLionZion Aug 2022 #10
Wow. And capturing it all on camera too! NT SWBTATTReg Aug 2022 #14
Whoa! Amazing. Joinfortmill Aug 2022 #15
When you found your one... irisblue Aug 2022 #16
Very impressive. TomSlick Aug 2022 #20
I saw two hawks do this once! imaginary girl Aug 2022 #21

milestogo

(18,274 posts)
2. It reminds me of pairs figure skating
Sun Aug 7, 2022, 11:30 AM
Aug 2022

where they are holding on to each other while spinning across the ice!

Frustratedlady

(16,254 posts)
12. Good comparison.
Sun Aug 7, 2022, 01:28 PM
Aug 2022

I have several that fly over my house, each day. I may have seen something similar and thought it was two males fighting to be top eagle.

Animals are fascinating. The more I watch them, the more convinced I am that they are good indicators of the climate and what's about to come.

bucolic_frolic

(47,611 posts)
3. We all know that feeling
Sun Aug 7, 2022, 11:31 AM
Aug 2022

"Once I had a love and it was divine
soon found out I was losing my mind." - Heart of Glass, Blondie.

liberalla

(10,091 posts)
18. "Aerial sky-dancing displays"
Sun Aug 7, 2022, 03:21 PM
Aug 2022

Also known as "flirting"
https://journeynorth.org/tm/eagle/annual/facts_courtship.html (a few small photos also)


Bald Eagle Courtship and Mating Facts.

Courtship is a time to develop and strengthen the pair bond, or form a new one.

Scientists have observed some mating behaviors on wintering grounds, but have also seen males and females start courting in breeding areas.

In addition to the spectacular aerial sky-dancing displays, courtship includes nest-building, perching, billing, and preening.

Bald eagles mate from the time of returning to the nest territory in early fall through egg laying, and sometimes a few months after. 

Like most birds, eagles are monogamous. If one of the pair dies, the lone eagle will find a new mate.

Adults may be vocal before, during, or after copulation.

Copulation occurs mostly before egg-laying but happens at other times too.

Gestation period: 5 - 10 days after copulation, the female lays one to three eggs.


Marthe48

(19,336 posts)
8. I saw 2 bald eagles cavorting over a field
Sun Aug 7, 2022, 01:24 PM
Aug 2022

on the way to my daughter's house. It was about 2 years ago. They didn't lock their talons, but they were spinning and turning in the air. I cried all the rest of the drive. Just wonderful.

imaginary girl

(923 posts)
21. I saw two hawks do this once!
Mon Aug 8, 2022, 09:57 AM
Aug 2022

I just caught the end of it and panicked at first, thinking a hawk had one of my chickens. But when I went outside, one hawk was still on the ground where it landed and the other was flying away. I looked it up, and found out they can do this in combat or courtship. Pretty impressive: love that this was caught on video!

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