July 2001

Two eagles were placed together in 3 separate cages, according to their age. Almost immediately an obvious pecking order was established within the cages, though no aggression was seen between any of the birds during the captive stage. There was always sufficient food for both eagles within each cage. The birds were fed rabbits, venison and a variety of birds during their six-week captive period.

By the 3rd July both the eldest birds in cage no. 5 came out onto the perches, away from the nest ledge. By the 4th July the oldest eagle was able to fly from the lower perch to the ground and back. At this stage the oldest birds were casting off an increasing amount of white down and their food intake decreased dramatically. Blood samples were removed from each bird on the 9th of July for DNA analysis and veterinary health checks.

By the 19th July the sibling of the second oldest captive eagle had fledged from its nest in Skye. The oldest eagles were flying comfortably within the cages by the end of July.

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