"Less than 10 minutes later, Jackie returned and began incubating, or sitting on, one of the breached eggs "because her hormones are telling her to incubate," said Jenny Voisard, media and website manager for the nonprofit. It's not clear why the doting parents were both absent, "but we are sure they had their reasons as they have been incubating the eggs faithfully," the nonprofit wrote in its "Eagle Log.""
"There have also been more than the usual number of bald eagles in the area - at least three juveniles and one sub-adult - and they could have been off protecting their nest. The intruding ravens were tentative for a while - expecting the eagles to return, according to Voisard. Over time, they became emboldened, and at least one pierced both eggs. For ravens, the eggs provide a nutritious meal, packed with calcium and albumen."
Fans mourn after ravens destroyed recently laid eggs in a Big Bear bald eagle nest. Shadow left the nest before noon with two eggs; Jackie was also absent. While the nest was unattended, ravens flew in and pierced and consumed both eggs. Jackie returned within ten minutes and began incubating a breached egg because her hormones drive incubation. Observers noted a crack in one egg that may have signaled nonviability. Increased numbers of other eagles in the area may have drawn parents away. Ravens first acted tentatively, then became emboldened. Eggs provide ravens with calcium and albumen. Supporters and monitors are devastated but hopeful for another clutch.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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