Bird watchers have an exciting opportunity to see a live video feed of a rare raptor, the crested eagle. The American Bird Conservancy announced last week that a nest camera had been set up in the South American country of Peru. A chick has hatched in the nest and may be about 4 months old.
"These birds are incredibly beautiful, and now that they have found a safe haven in our surroundings, it is our duty to protect them," said Rainforest Expeditions' birding guide Fernando Ccoa. He discovered the nest. With the camera, viewers can watch the adults feed the chick and maybe see it take flight.
The chicks usually grow enough feathers to fly after about 100 days, called fledging. Despite this ability, it may take up to a year-and-a-half before the chick flies off to live on its own. As a result, adults only nest about once every two to three years.
Adult crested eagles can measure about 28 to 35 inches long with wings that stretch 4 to almost 6 feet, according to inaturalist. Females, which are larger than males, may weigh as much as 6 pounds. Considered threatened because of forest loss, the bird is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America where it feeds on snakes, lizards, birds and small monkeys.
This last food choice has earned the bird the nickname monkey-eating eagle. Because of its unusual diet, the American Bird Conservancy warned some people may find the video disturbing. "ABC has been working with local partners to establish a 656acre rese.