One mature and one immature Bald Eagle (Haliaeeteus leucocephalus) perched in a live Slash Pine south of Caples Hall while an Osprey (possibly one associated with the nest about 200 feet to the north?) soared overhead calling. When the immature Eagle took off to the north the Osprey tried a diving attack. It takes five years for Bald Eagles to attain the classic patriotic adult plumage with white head and tail. Until then they are darker looking with patchy light-colored streaks, more like a Golden Eagle, a species rarely seen in Florida.
Ospreys usually nest in dead trees while Bald Eagles usually nest in live trees. Ospreys routinely nest on campus and while Eagle sightings are common on campus during winter months they are not known to have nested on campus in recent times.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 44 Eagle nests were found last year within 15 miles of our 34243 zip code.
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