FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] talong-grappling attemps at Roan Creek.

["Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>]

In addition to a beautiful day afield Saturday in the company of good 
companions, Rack Cross and Don Holt,  we received an early Christmas present on 
the Elizabethton Christsmas Bird Count.
In the Roan Creek Embayment of Watauga Lake just over in Johnson County, TN, 
Rack picked up on a attractive adult Bald Eagle soaring near us.  A few seconds 
later Don  found another maybe a 100 yards from the first.  They were slowly 
drifting in unison.

The two turned and turned on an updraft until the highest eagle dropped in a 
dive with talons extended towards the lower bird.  Quickly the "defendant" 
rolled over and extended long legs upwards, flasheing its talons at the 
agressor.  The yellow feet were brilliant, flickering in the early afternooon 
sun.

Of course there was much chatter among us as we watched.  We hoped they would 
clash, locking each other in their grasps and talon-grapple with bodies 
tumbling a few hundred feet through the blue sky.  Eagles are well known for 
this.

They narrowly missed striking but the whirling in the sun continued.  Several 
more dashes and talon flashing continued during the next few minutes.  We were 
denied the famous grappling display.  The eagles soon caught a higher cross 
wind and sailed beyond our view, over a nearby low ridge.  We noticed the 
agressor was first to leave and the defender quickly joined.

Was this a pairing behavior as a prelude to breeding ?  The nesting season for 
eagles is close upon us.  Some eagle students believe much needs to be learned 
about birds whirling together and talon-grappling.   It is not clear what role 
such behavior plays.

The Roan Creek eagles seem quite friendly to one another ;-)

Let's go birding.....

Wallace Coffey
Bristol 






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