Dominance – Female Over Male
Eagles Weather Snow Storm in Richmond Feb 19-20
February 20, 2012Camellia Flies to Little Neck 2/21
February 21, 2012Throughout this and previous seasons we have observed the female eagle exercising dominance over the male. This evening we were treated with a visual display of this behavior as the female spread her wings and the male bowed to her shrill calls.
22 Comments
Stunning scaps! Thanks for your time and the education too! Very exciting this year has been!
I saw this. What does it signify concerning their partnership and the possibility of a successful breeding year? Thanks.
Response – Just normal, natural behavior.
What did he do? She was not happy at all. You go, Dirty Tail. Great pictures. Thank you for this great shot.
Response – The male didn’t “do” anything. What we observed is normal, natural behavior.
Stunning! Thank you Mr Lukei for these pictures.
Wow! I was watching this and didn’t the male spread his wings back at her after this?
Is this a good or bad thing with her being that dominate at this point? Or could she be getting ready to lay an egg?
Very interesting and Poor Dad!
Response – What we saw is normal, natural behavior that has nothing to do with egg laying.
Does Dominance Behavior signify a significant progression of the bonding between the male and female? Thank you for your expertise.
Response – Just norman, natural behavior.
Reese/Mr. Lukei (By the way, which way do you prefer to be addressed on the NBG Eagle blog?),
Thank you for sharing some of your spectacular screen captures and observations with us. Your zooming skills are also much appreciated. What a rich experience for eagle lovers everywhere.
Oh my GOSH. Her wings are beautiful! I’ve never seen her like that before. A gorgeous creature.
Breathtaking captures Reese – this has been an incredible season thus far. Thank you so much for your knowledge, I have learned so much from all your time and comments.
It was truely an incredible sight to see today the female dominating the male.
Wow! She sure was giving him an earful wasn’t she??
Wow, I had missed this today. Thank you for the screen caps Reese. I known we had seen this behavior with female #2 a couple of times, is this the first time you have seen this from female #3? Second photo is great.
Response – We have not seen her spread her wings out like that, but have seen him bow while she assumed a domineering position.
REESE,
She is beautiful….I am glad that you said that this is normal because to me she was not happy with DAD. I guess she has got to be aggressive, seeing as she has to help him protect his (their) nest, if he has indeed picked her to be his mate.
Thank you for all the zooms, truly beautiful, and for teaching all of us so much. I can never go outside and look up without thinking of Mom Norfolk and all Eagles……………….Thank you again..
Oh how great to see her doing what she is meant to do! She is coming into her own. The captures are beautiful and love the sun behind her.
Thank you Reese for your time and willingness to share with us.
Female #3 is saying – YOUR MINE! What absolutely beautiful photos with her wings spread! Awesome to watch nature.
Dang, I had the camera stream up but was looking at something on my desk and saw this only out of the corner of my eye. Thought it was mating, but when I looked closer it seemed the positions were reversed and I couldn’t quite figure out what was going on. Now I see it was something else. Very interesting.
I add my thanks to all we learn from you and all the mods! I understand this is normal behavior but what does it signify? Just that a female is the dominant of the pair?
Does the female also demonstrate dominance when she calls the male to mate? Does mating aid in the delivery of the eggs-stimulate hormones? Lubricate? ?? It seems as time grows closer for the egg at Decorah the mating becomes more frequent. 2nd egg 2/20. 2/22 mating 5 times from around 6:30 to 7:30 AM. I hope you can answer this – no one seems to know about this but it sure isn’t to make an egg-or for bonding. Thank You Reese.
Response – I don’t know the answer to your questions either. I have not noticed that mating gets more frequent, and have never noticed mating 5 times in an hour. Not even sure that is possible.
Amazing capture moments! I believe even with these species, girl power is being exercise.
Reese sorry was a typo. LOL I meant 2-We only heard vocals dad left the nest when Mom called and we can’t see them there. We have seen them mate before egg laying. I have been watching for an egg at the garden. Sure hope they have some this year. I appreciate all the expert information here and on the moderated blog. Also at the Richmond nest. I think that research from the cameras and the transmitters is really advancing science. Thank you all so much for all you do.
The female is absolutely stunning & such an awesome display of submission by the male! A great capture for next year’s calendar…hint, hint
She’s a big Eagle and the male knows best….he’s been around for so long for a reason. I’m doing more observation than photography now with this pair of Eagles thanks to you and we’re fortunate to have such a cooperative pair to observe. Thanks again Reese.
Thank you for the photos Reese I missed that episode. Could the female “Three” possibly be a Northen eagle and her clock is set to laying eggs later than a southern eagle ?
Response – That is certainly a possibility since we know that during the fall and winter months bald eagles from northeastern states do migrate to the mid-Atlantic. However, since she is not banded there is just no way we can tell that.