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Baby Falcon Mistakes an Eagle For Its Mother

baby falcon mistakes eagle for its mother
Falcon with its wings stretched out. Image by @Novoselov via Depositphotos

This happening might just be the bird version of losing your mom at the supermarket (and we all know how scary that is.) Witness the cute moment when an adorable baby falcon mistakes a confused eagle for its mother.

How Different Are Eagles and Falcons?

Eagles and falcons belong to the same order of birds known as raptors, meaning they’re great hunters and meat-lovers. But other than that, many other traits differentiate them.

Eagles are generally larger, with broader wings and heavier bodies. This size makes them strong long-distance flyers. 

Falcons are smaller and faster. Their sharp and pointed wings allow for high-speed pursuits.

The Video: Baby Falcon Mistakes Eagle For Its Mother

“The falcon thinks the eagle is the mother and ask the eagle to feed him”, Source: Reddit, Uploaded: ClaireDacloush

The video shows a baby falcon next to a majestic eagle. The baby falcon thinks the eagle is its mother and opens its beak wide, asking for a meal.

The Parenting Style of Eagles

Image via depositphotos.

Although the eagle in the video seems to lack its parental instincts, this species is generally a very involved parent. Both parents are actively involved in raising their young, something that’s rarely seen outside of humans. Mama bird and papa bird share duties from nest building to feeding and protecting the chicks from predators. 

The eaglets are typically dependent on their parents for food and learning how to hunt for several months post-fledging.

Of course, when it’s not their own baby, they take distance, much like the bird in the video.

Premastication Explained

Peregrine Falcon sitting on grass. Image by Vincent van Zalinge on Unsplash.

Premastication” is what you probably know as “mama bird feeding”, in other words when bird-parents regurgitate food to their young.

By partially digesting food before feeding it to their chicks it makes the food easier to swallow and digest. It also ensures that the chicks receive nutrient-rich and soft food suited to their undeveloped digestive systems.

This way of feeding is absolutely crucial for any chick’s survival, regardless of species. 

Wrapping Up

Falcons grow up to be fierce hunters, but when they’re chicks, they’re irresistibly adorable. Could you deny such a sweet face a snack?

Thank you for reading this article about the baby falcon that mistakes an eagle for its mother! For more eagle news, take a look at these posts: