The Decorah Eagles eaglets had one of those unforgettable “look how big they are now” moments on May 1, 2026, as DH3 and DH4 showed just how quickly they are growing. DH3 is now 35 days old, while DH4 is 33 days old, and both youngsters are deep in that wonderfully awkward stage where every movement seems to come with oversized feet, round bodies, and a little extra wobble.
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The Decorah Eagles eaglets are not tiny hatchlings anymore. Their pin feathers are coming in, their bodies are filling out, and their personalities are beginning to show in sweet little bursts. Between DH4’s warble, flaps, and stretches, DH3’s crop drop, and a fish delivery from HD, the nest gave viewers a perfect snapshot of two young eagles stepping into a bigger, clunkier, more active chapter.
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Decorah Eagles Eaglets Look Bigger Than Ever
There comes a point in the nesting season when the babies suddenly seem to take up more room than expected. For DH3 and DH4, that moment has arrived.
The Decorah Eagles eaglets look heavier, taller, and stronger now. Their growing bodies are still catching up with their coordination, which makes this stage especially fun to watch. They are big enough to move with purpose, but still young enough that every step, stretch, and shift has that classic clunky eaglet charm.
At 35 and 33 days old, DH3 and DH4 are entering one of the most visibly dramatic parts of eaglet development. They are growing fast, testing their bodies, and becoming more active around the nest. That mix of strength and awkwardness is exactly what makes this stage so endearing.
Pin Feathers Reveal a Big Change in the Nest
One of the biggest signs of change is the arrival of pin feathers. These new feathers are beginning to come in as the Decorah Eagles eaglets slowly move away from their soft, downy baby stage.
Pin feathers can make young eaglets look a little scruffy at first, but they are an important part of the transformation. As those feathers continue to emerge and open, DH3 and DH4 will begin to look darker, more defined, and more like juvenile bald eagles.
For now, they are in that short-lived in-between phase. They still have plenty of fluffy eaglet softness, but the next stage is already showing through. It is a blink-and-you-miss-it part of the season, and it makes every close-up feel special.
DH4 Warbles, Flaps, and Stretches
DH4 brought some lively personality to the nest with a little warble, along with flaps and stretches. These small actions may look simple, but they are part of the daily practice that helps a growing eaglet build strength.
The flapping is still clunky, of course. That is part of the charm. However, every wing movement matters as DH4 begins working those growing wings and developing coordination for the weeks ahead.
The stretches also showed just how much DH4 is changing. Long legs, bigger wings, and a growing body all make this stage look a bit like eaglet construction season, with feathers, feet, and flaps appearing in every direction.
DH3 Has a Crop Drop Before the Fish Milestone
DH3 had a notable moment of its own with a crop drop. A crop drop happens when food stored in the crop moves farther along in the digestive process. In growing eaglets, it is a normal part of digestion and often shows that a previous meal is moving through properly.
Then came the moment that made this update especially memorable.
HD arrived with a fish, and DH3 was clearly interested. Instead of only waiting to be fed, the older eaglet picked up the fish several times. It was clunky, curious, and just right for this stage of growth.
That little fish-handling moment may not look polished, but it matters. DH3 is still dependent on the adults for feeding, yet the interest in picking up the fish shows growing strength, coordination, and curiosity. These tiny steps are part of how young eagles slowly begin learning the skills they will need later.
HD Delivers a Fish but Waits to Feed
HD brought the fish to the nest, but he did not immediately move in to feed DH3 and DH4. That pause gave the eaglets a chance to inspect the delivery, and DH3 made the most of it by picking the fish up more than once.
At first, it can seem surprising when a parent delivers food and does not start feeding right away. However, eagle nests often move on their own schedule. A parent may deliver prey, pause, reposition, rest, or feed later. In this case, HD would get around to feeding the eaglets afterward.
The wait turned an ordinary food delivery into something more interesting. Instead of just another meal, viewers got to see DH3 interact with the fish in a new way. That is what made it feel like a clunky little milestone.
A Clunky Fish Milestone for Two Fast-Growing Decorah Eaglets
The May 1 scene was full of the small moments that make the Decorah Eagles nest so enjoyable to follow. DH3 and DH4 looked bigger than ever, their pin feathers were coming in, and their behavior showed just how quickly they are moving into the next stage of eaglet life.
DH4’s warble, flaps, and stretches brought personality to the nest, while DH3’s crop drop and fish-picking moment gave viewers a glimpse of growing independence. These eaglets are still young and still relying on HD and HM2, but they are no longer quiet little hatchlings tucked beneath a parent.
The nest is getting livelier now. With every wobble, wing stretch, fish delivery, and clunky milestone, DH3 and DH4 are showing that the next chapter is already underway.
Thank you to the Raptor Resource Project for offering this live cam experience and allowing people to learn about Bald Eagles. The video was created by chickiedee64 on youtube.
FAQ About Decorah Eagles Eaglets DH3 and DH4
How old are the Decorah Eagles eaglets in this update?
DH3 is 35 days old, and DH4 is 33 days old in this May 1, 2026 Decorah Eagles update.
Why do the Decorah Eagles eaglets look so clunky right now?
The Decorah Eagles eaglets are in a fast-growing stage where their bodies, feet, wings, and feathers are changing quickly. Because their coordination is still developing, their movements can look awkward, wobbly, and clunky.
What are pin feathers?
Pin feathers are new developing feathers that grow in with a protective sheath. As they continue to open, they help replace the eaglets’ soft down and give them a more juvenile eagle appearance.
What did DH4 do in the nest?
DH4 gave a little warble, flapped, and stretched in the nest. These behaviors are normal for a growing eaglet and help build strength and coordination.
What is a crop drop?
A crop drop happens when food stored in an eaglet’s crop moves farther along in the digestive system. It is a normal part of digestion and can make the crop look smaller afterward.
What was the clunky fish milestone?
After HD delivered a fish, DH3 showed interest and picked it up several times. That clunky fish milestone showed growing curiosity, strength, and early food-handling behavior.
Did HD feed the eaglets right away?
HD brought the fish but did not immediately feed DH3 and DH4. He would get around to feeding them later, while DH3 had a chance to investigate the fish first.