06/07/2026
Mission accomplished. Dad brings a screaming JBS 24 a final meal before the youngster leaves home for good. While the juvenile eats its fill, Dad flies back in for a bit more quality time. This livestream capture from May 11 was our last sight and sound of the juvenile, and we no longer see Mom and Dad in the wetland. JBS 24 has moved to independent living, and Mom and Dad have completed another breeding season.
After leaving the nest permanently, young eagles are nomadic, wandering far and wide until they reach adulthood. Their hunting skills aren’t very good in their first year, so they survive primarily by scavenging carrion and roadkill and stealing food from other animals until they become proficient at hunting during their second and third years. When they reach sexual maturity at 4-5 years of age, they gain their trademark white head and tail plumage and begin looking for their own territory and mate.
Eagles have an inborn attachment to the general geographic area where they hatch, called natal philopatry. They usually settle down to raise their young within 50 or maybe 100 miles from their natal nest.
Now that Mom and Dad have successfully launched JBS 24, the pair are likely doing what many other Texans do – relaxing at nearby lakes. We will watch for their return this fall.
To all of you who have followed our eagle posts this breeding season, thanks so much. We appreciate your likes, comments, questions and love for these magnificent creatures.
To JBS 24, godspeed and mind how you go. To Mom and Dad, safe passage until we meet again. 🦅🦅🦅
