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Eagle Eaglet's Tumble Turns into Accidental First Flight
28 Jun
Summary
- An eaglet named Sandy experienced an accidental first flight after a fall.
- Viewers watched anxiously as Sandy tumbled before flying to a new tree.
- Eaglets remain dependent on parents for weeks after fledging.
An eaglet named Sandy caused a stir among watchers of the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam on a recent Sunday morning. Shortly before 11:30 a.m., Sandy was seen flapping her wings on a branch outside the nest when she lost her footing. She tumbled through several lower branches before successfully flying to another tree, an event described as an accidental 'fludge.'
Millions had been following the lives of eaglets Sandy and Luna, who hatched in April. While typical fledging occurs between 10 to 14 weeks, Sandy's first flight was an unplanned event. Her parents, Jackie and Shadow, will continue to feed and care for her and Luna as they learn essential survival skills and master flight and landing over the coming weeks.
Once independent, young eagles become nomadic, exploring for up to five years. They reach sexual maturity and develop their iconic white heads around age five. This unexpected first flight from Sandy surprised observers who anticipated her sibling Luna might fledge first.
