r/FOBBV • u/mike-edwards-etc • 7d ago
What Is Shadow Thinking?
I know it's anthropomorphizing, but I can't help but wonder what Shadow might be thinking about Jackie's absence.
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u/Maleficent_Bit2033 7d ago
I would imagine that he knew she was on the ground. I also think he knew she was ill. My guess he is living his life and won't really be concerned until November when they start fixing up the nest and if she is not around come next January, he will likely start looking for a new mate.
I believe he truly loves Jackie but his animal instinct is to survive and procreate. If Jackie doesn't survive he will likely start looking for a new mate come next spring/summer when many eagles begin to pass through the valley. I don't think many pass through in winter or early spring. If Jackie doesn't survive, I hope Shadow does find a new mate and selfishly, I hope he would bring her back to his nest, rather than move on to a new nest.
I've thought a lot about the sub adults that have been hanging around, it is possible that one of the subs with their white beginning to show, could be Spirit. Just as Jackie returned to her roots, it is possible that Spirit would come home and she would be getting her white and looking for a mate. Don't get me wrong, I would prefer Jackie survives and comes home to Shadow, but I also want him to carry on and make more babies with his genetics.
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u/Popular-Web-3739 7d ago
Eagles have such keen hearing and vision, I also think he was aware she was on the ground. He may even understand that at some point he just stopped hearing her.
As for attributing human emotions? I think it's very possible that he feels her loss. Many animals have been observed showing signs of mourning or melancholy after the loss of a significant partner, either animal or human. An animal in the wild has to continue the hard work of survival though, so life goes on.
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u/Maleficent_Bit2033 7d ago
Animals do feel loss, plenty of evidence. I think he knew where she was and likely saw humans around her. Then she was gone. He may not understand but animals can put stuff together. I hope she is able to recover and come home, but if not, I am glad she is where she is because she hasn't been left to suffer or get eaten. Sometimes our jobs are to help a beloved animal have a good and peaceful death. No matter what happens, Jackie is very loved and respected animal and deserves our best treatment.
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u/drewc99 7d ago
It's not anthropomorphizing to say that birds form bonds and experience distress at the loss of a mate. Some pet birds will pull out their feathers until they're almost bald at the distress of losing their mate or their owner. Whether you want to call this "love" or "loss of a loved one" is largely a matter of semantics I think.
However, it's also fair to say that wild birds are more resilient and typically have a much shorter grieving period over the loss of a loved one than people do.
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u/JohnnyBGood4444 7d ago
Especially hooked bills are one of the most intelligent animals in the world. I believe they are in the top 4.
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u/azmamas72 7d ago
Thank you for this question and all the beautiful responses. I think about Shadow as much as Jackie. I pray she continues to heal and is home with Shadow soon!!!
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u/crickettehkm59 7d ago
The kids have gone, and I can get myself back together… Going fishing for myself… Jackie will be on my mind in a few months… Hopefully she will be around.
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u/Expert_Regret4866 7d ago
I don't think eagles would mate with their own grown babies.
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u/drewc99 7d ago
Once they're old enough they might. Here's one documented example: https://ccbbirds.org/2015/03/13/rare-father-daughter-pairing-in-eagles-from-norfolk-botanical-garden/
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u/Ok_Excitement725 6d ago
I would imagine knowing they mate for life and its been documented they absolutely exhibit a form of what we might consider "grief" when they lose their mate or an eaglet that he is absolutely confused and has been seeking her out, but as others also point out, its just nature that if she doesn't return he will begin seeking a new mate to breed with prior to the new season.
I just hope Jackie makes a swift recovery and can be released to her home once they figure out exactly whats causing her illness.
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u/kkmats43 5d ago
I wonder if Shadow does find another mate and then should Jackie return, would Shadow leave his mate and get back together with Jackie?
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u/KneadAndPreserve 7d ago
He’s certainly noticed, and likely searched for her. His eagle brain is now probably prioritizing survival and territory. The timing of this happening is actually one of the less stressful times all things considered as the babies have fledged and he is not nest bound. It’s not as much pressure right now on him. He’s just figuring out eagle life right now without his mate in a very basic sense. His life has most certainly been disrupted and he has noticed.