why so long

Hi Norma;

Thanks for your answers on "mantling" and "cropping." Very helpful and educational.

One more question? How are viewers able to determine the father from the mother? They look the same to me, but I did see the two of them at the edge of the nest sometime last week. I actually thought I was seeing a reflection until one of them flew off.

Thanks again.

Hi Helen,
Both parents are tagged like the chick, except their tags are red. They have numbers on them (K10 is the male, K26 is the female).
Sometimes you can clearly make out the numbers, other times it's not so easy.
The following link may answer some of your questions as well, if you have not seen it yet:

http://chil.vcoe.org/eagle_cam.htm


Bea

Hi Bea:

Thanks for your quick response. I thought both parents wore the same number, kind of a couple type thing. You learn something new every day, huh?

Thanks, everyone, for a very educational day. Makes my future viewing a lot more understandable.

Good night, all.

Another way to tell, if you happen to be looking at a pair that are not tagged, the female tends to be somewhat larger than the male. Measuring from the head to the tip of the tail an adult female is 35 to 37 in. long with wingspan of 72 to 90 in. Where as the adult male is 30 to 34 in. from head to tip of the tail with a wingspan of 72 to 85 in. Sometimes it's difficult to tell through the camera but check out the wing tag numbers on this pair while comparing the size of each bird. You may notice the female is slightly larger and fuller while the male is slightly smaller and narrower.

Happy Birding and Cheers to the return of the Bald Eagle to Santa Cruz Island!

Norma

Helen: On the home page for this webcam there is some great imformation and links to various topics of interest to eagle viewers. There is also a running question and answer format for FAQ and it is updated by the gal that moderates this forum. All valuable topics to help paint a complete picture for eagle viewers. Bill

Hi Bill:

Yes, I had seen the "FAQ" which was very informative. My problem was I'm such a novice at this and didn't understand some of the terminalogy.

Add to that, I haven't been on a computer since 1994, so you can imagine what difficulty I'm having finding things and communicating with people (plus I still can't quite figure how to transfer those happy faces - smille). Is there another area I can go to where Annie Little has provided more information, or more question/answer areas?

You guys have all been so great, and helpful. Thanks.

Helen: You are doing fine. Just list the words you need to learn and we will attempt to define them for you. Actually having a good terminology page is a good idea. You can help us by starting a list. Bill

By the way to post a certain smilie (emoticon) simple place your cursor were you want the little character and click on the characters image over on the left . The best way to learn is play around. You can't do any harm. We can teach you some pretty cool computer magic. All you need is to want to learn it.

#49 is the greatest

(and I've learned my smilies - thanks Bill)

Hi Helen,

It may be a bit tricky to find the "Questions" forum. You will need to go back to the opening page of the discussion forum at the "CHIL Eaglecam" link above. Once you are there, scroll down and then you will see the Questions forum. If you are not used to a computer, you may have missed this forum since it is not readily visible on the screen. Here you will find many more questions and answers.

But feel free to ask any questions that you can't find the answer for!

Hi Annie:

Thanks for referring me to the Question Forum. I've spent this evening reviewing all of the questions and answers listed so far, and it's quite helpful. I had been wondering what access we would have to #49 once he flew the coop, and the answer was already there.

I'm not sure what section I should be putting this into, but maybe you can forward my thoughts to the appropriate people. I have written two "thank you" articles to the News Press here in Santa Barbara, wanting to let everyone involved with this project know how much their time and work is appreciated. The newspaper has not seen fit to print my thanks, so here it is from me to all of you.

#49 and the entire crew are TRULY AWESOME!!!!!!!

G'day everyone! My sister sent this website to me, she is an avid eagle watcher. I have been enjoying the webcam from Sydney Australia. I am an expat Californian, its great to see the successful attempts to repopulate the natural fauna. In Oz, we have many colorful birds, and the closest to the Eagle is the Wedgetailed eagle, see http://www.fourthcrossingwildlife.com/myth...ailed_eagle.htm

KLJ

Dear KLJinOZ: Thank you for posting the link to the website for the wedgetailed eagles. It is devestating to think of how many of those beautiful birds were killed. Thankfully the species was not completely wiped out and there are caring people out there trying to save every one of them. God bless their hearts!!
I hope you don't mind if I post your link on our daily observations forum for July 11? I would like as many people as possible to see this website, I know they will be just as interested as I am.
Again Thank you!!!

Hi Bea,
Actually my sister suggested reposting as you have mentioned, be my guest!
The protection of the wedge tail is now evident as in the country areas one is more likely to spot one quite easily. I saw one two days ago travelling back to Sydney from a trip to country Dubbo (in the State of New South Wales).
KLJ

How exciting to actually see one of these magnificent eagles. I've seen plenty of vultures here where I live (Ventura County, CA), but never an eagle. That's not to say that there aren't any (I think there are), but their numbers are so small, you have to be lucky (or just in the right place at the right time) to see one.
I have posted your link on the daily observations forum for July 11, 2006, but it was already late at night when I did, so it might be a good idea if you post it again a little earlier in the day.

Bea