Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

intrepidity

(7,926 posts)
Tue Jul 18, 2023, 02:44 PM Jul 2023

Question regarding feather damage

So, on the bald eagle nest cam I watch (Decorah), for the past several days there's been this male Red Winged Blackbird that has been getting increasingly bold in his aggressive behavior towards the fledgling DH2 (~4mo).

At first it was just kinda funny because for the most part. DH2 ignores him, and the size difference makes it sort of comical. It was mostly dive-bombing pecking attacks, but starting yesterday, Mr. RWBB has been landing on DH2's back and repeatedly pecking their feathers, and no doubt causing damage to the feathers. So I was wondering how serious this type of damage is? I know that whenever I found a feather as a kid, once you separate the strands, they never go back to how they were. This no doubt will have an effect on flight, right? DH2 is too young to know what to do, and the parents don't seem interested in getting involved (although, tbh, I would not be surprised if mom delivers that pest to the nest as a meal someday soon!)

Thoughts? You can scroll back to several incidences in today's stream. Ask if you need me to find timestamps. Thanks in advance.

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Question regarding feather damage (Original Post) intrepidity Jul 2023 OP
Isn't he about ready to leave home? Bayard Jul 2023 #1
DH2 fledged a couple weeks ago, but still returns to the nest intrepidity Jul 2023 #2
''The vane of the feather is formed of many individual feather barbs ... '' Donkees Jul 2023 #3

Bayard

(24,145 posts)
1. Isn't he about ready to leave home?
Tue Jul 18, 2023, 02:56 PM
Jul 2023

Per Google:

"Perhaps no bird has a reputation for being a bully as much as the red-winged blackbird, and deservedly so."

I'm guessing if you're seeing this behavior, the people running the study are too.

intrepidity

(7,926 posts)
2. DH2 fledged a couple weeks ago, but still returns to the nest
Tue Jul 18, 2023, 03:25 PM
Jul 2023

frequently, mostly as a food delivery location. It will be many more months before DH2 actually leaves the area.

Donkees

(32,437 posts)
3. ''The vane of the feather is formed of many individual feather barbs ... ''
Tue Jul 18, 2023, 05:01 PM
Jul 2023
The vane of the feather is formed of many individual feather barbs. Adjacent barbs are hooked together with a series of microscopic hooks, like velcro. The hooks can be unzipped by pulling gently on the barbs and zipped up again by running the barbs through your fingers. Birds zip their feathers back up by preening -- running the bill over their feathers.

https://whozoo.org/ZooPax/ZPFeather.htm


Everything You Need To Know About Feathers
https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/feathers-article/

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Birders»Question regarding feathe...