An eaglet is exhibiting normal behavior after falling from its nest in Shiloh National Military Park/NPS

One of two eagle chicks survived a fall out of its nest at Shiloh National Military Park last week, leading park officials to close the area around the nest in order to provide a safe space for the bird and to allow adequate space for the eagle parents to take care of the chick.

“On April 24, at approximately 5:30 p.m., observers in the area saw the chick fall from the nest onto the ground. Park rangers responded and immediately began a visual evaluation of the bird,” the park said in a release. “In addition, the park made contact with both TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Refuge Agency) and Dr. James Huggins, professor of biology at Union University, a specialist in raptor species. Based on our evaluation and consultations, we decided the best course of action was to close the immediate area and to wait until the following day to recheck the status of the eaglet.”

Early on April 25, rangers observed the chick stretching its wings and walking around the enclosed area around the nesting tree. Although the bird was walking with a slight limp, it otherwise appeared unhurt and alert. At that point, the decision was made to expand the closed area and to continue to observe the birds’ behavior for any signs of distress.

Closed areas include a portion of the Hamburg-Savannah Road and Brown’s Landing Road leading to the Shiloh National Indian Mounds.

By April 26, rangers found the eaglet sitting under the forest canopy, perched on a fallen tree, roughly 25 yards south of the enclosure and near equal distance east of the Hamburg-Savannah road. Other than being wet from the rain, the chick appeared healthy and its observed behavior was normal. One of the parents was observed watching over both eaglets. Later in the afternoon, the eaglet was found perched on the split-rail fence at SW corner of enclosure, this time with both parents in view. The fencing is about 3 feet high, so the eaglet would have jumped up onto the rail – a good sign of its mobility.

On April 27, rangers observed the bird walking on the Hamburg-Savannah Road about 50 yards south of the enclosure, and the eaglet is exhibiting normal behavior. It is a little early for this bird to be out of the nest, but spending time on the ground is normal for the species. Many first flights for eagles are awkward, with up to half of fledgling attempts less than successful. Consequently, when young birds do leave the nest, they frequently become stuck on the ground for several days until such time as they learn to fly. The adults expect this to happen, and typically continue to feed and protect grounded chicks.

The second chick remains in the nest, and is exhibiting “branching” behavior, practicing short hops on and around the nest, gaining strength and improving his agility. Sitting in the branches of his home tree is a natural lead-up to fledging.