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“We know that young fledgling eagles are often escorted from public view by their parents so the novice can hone their flying skills in solitude,” Weller said via e-mail. “ Prairie's flying skills are not nearly as developed as the three-day older Aero, but Prairie looks able, although a bit timid.”
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** ORIGINAL STORY (June 26, 2019): One of Orv and Willa's offspring left the nest for its first flight this morning.
The eaglet, now classified a juvenile since the flight, was missing from the nest when Jim Weller, the founder of Eastwood Eagle Watchers and other enthusiasts entered Carillon Historical Park earlier today.
They searched the bushes and trees and around noon saw it fly in and land in a tree about 60 to 70 feet from the nest, “close enough to laugh at his sibling,” Weller said.
Willa laid eggs in the spring of this year and two eaglets, named Aero and Prairie, hatched in April. Aero is the juvenile eagle that took flight, according to Weller.
“We’re all excited,” Weller said. “Already he is flying better than Flyer.”
Flyer was Orv and Willa’s eaglet that tragically died last year when it flew into a delivery truck on I-75 five-days after it fledged from the nest.
Aero’s sibling, Prairie, is expected to fledge Thursday or Friday. Orv and Willa are still feeding the duo making the next couple weeks a perfect time visit the park and watch the bald eagle family up close.
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