1. Eagle’s Fetal Development
Introduction: One of the many beneficial qualities about the Alcoa Eagle Cam is the ability to watch the
cycle of life first hand. With this Eagle Cam students can take a deeper look into the life cycle of a
newborn eaglet. Through compare contrast activities students can learn to appreciate other bird species
around the world.
Subject Areas: Science, English
Grade Level: 6-9
Lesson Objectives:
1) To understand the habitat of the eagle nest
2) To understand the gestational cycle of eagles and other birds
3) To see firsthand the gestational cycle with the eagle cam
4) To understand differences in reproductive requirements for different bird species
Estimated Time:Three to four - 40 minute class periods
Materials Needed:
1) http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/Photos/Hiking/Birds/BirdPages/Birdindex.htm Easily laid
out information on different birds
2) http://www.curiositiesbydickens.com/decorah-bald-eagles-hatchling-status/ For further
discussion, an image of inside an eagle egg during incubation
3) http://yahooey.com/eaglefacts.htm#CHICK%27S%20GROWTH More detailed information on
Eagles and Fledglings
Procedures:

2. 1) Begin the class period by viewing the eagle cam after the eggs have been laid (or present a
picture of an eagle nest with eggs)
2) Have students note characteristics about the eggs and the environment they’re in
3) After initial discussion students may work in pairs or separately on the worksheet provided.
Work in class or at teachers discretion
4) After they’ve gathered information go over the worksheet together in class to fill in any
questions about the information gathered
5) Additionally students can view the inside of an eagle egg during incubation
http://www.curiositiesbydickens.com/decorah-bald-eagles-hatchling-status/
6) After they comprehend what information to gather, open up discussion to other birds with
students making predictions about the topic areas on the worksheet
7) Have studentsbegin to research their second bird species (Note: May want to assign students
the birds depending on gestation. Based on similarity to eagles or opposite to them)
8) After gathering information have students reflect on their predictions and note whether or not
their predictions were correct.
9) Have students write a compare contrast paragraph on their bird of choice and the eagle
10) Have students reflect why the gestation/fledging period would determine how many clutches a
bird has a year
11) Have class keep track of the progress and number of days it takes to gestation for each egg on
the eagle cam
Assessment Suggestions:
1) Students could receive participation grades for discussion activities
2) Students could be graded on their appropriate use of work time

3. 3) Students could be graded on their completion of the worksheets to the teachers specifications
4) Students could be graded on their paragraph accuracy
Extended Activities:
1) Have students draw out an eagle egg and the bird of their choice egg. Then create wall diagram
showing the differences in gestation by ranking them.
2) Go beyond birds and look at gestation of other animals
3) Have students go beyond the points on the worksheet to further discuss habits of birds such as
migration, mating, birth, egg development, etc.
Worksheet
(Teacher Guide for Eagle discussion)

4. Breeding Location: Lakes, Mudflats, Seashore, rocky or sandy
Breeding Type: Monogamous, Solitary nester
Breeding Population: Fairly common to common
Egg Color: White
Number of Eggs: 2
Incubation Days: 31 - 46
Egg Incubator: Both sexes
Nest Material: Deeply lined with fine material.
Migration: Migratory
Condition at Hatching: Capable of limited motion. Covered with light gray down and
with eyes open
Fledging: 75-90 Days
Eagle Other:
Breeding Location
Breeding Type
Breeding Population
Egg Color
Number of Eggs
Incubation Days
Egg Incubator
Nest material
Migration
Condition at Hatching
Fledging